GRAHAM BARROW wants to be part of the managerial team that finally ends Wrexham’s Football League exile.

Former Chester City legend Barrow crossed the divide when he agreed to become assistant manager to new Reds boss Sam Ricketts.

And Barrow is hoping to help the Reds out of the National League at the end of what will be their 11th season in the division.

Barrow said: “I’ve known Sam a long time, since when I was at Bolton and and off.

“He spoke to me a while ago and obviously he’s come into a football club that is full of passion and deserves to be in the Football League, basically. I don’t want to put us under too much pressure, but that is where it needs to be.”

Barrow, who was linked with the Chester top job when Marcus Bignot left the Deva towards the end of last season, has always spoken highly of Wrexham, describing it as a ‘massive’ club.

Trips to The Racecourse last season as part of his work for AFC Fylde only confirmed his views of Wrexham Football Club.

“I met Sam two or three times,” added Barrow. “It was a no-brainer in one sense, but at my age I was considering all options. He’s quite persuasive, in a nice way.

“I came to a few games here last year because I was doing a bit of work for Fylde, obviously I came to the last game of the season and I came earlier on when they were very much on course for promotion and I could feel the feeling that everybody wants to get back to where they belong. Hopefully we can help with that.”

On the areas that Wrexham must improve on if they are to turn last season’s disappointment into National League promotion at the end of the 2018/19 campaign, Barrow said: “The positive side was the consistency of the defence, that always gave them a chance, which I am a strong believer in.

“But when you have a pitch like this, a big great surface, you have to try and expand a bit more and try to get a few more goals.

“The goals for column was not quite enough.

Barrow has worked in every division from National League to Premier League, where he worked under current Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez.

The 64-year-old is proud of his longevity in the game, adding: “It was a bit scary really watching the World Cup last night and Roberto was there. I brought Roberto to the country and ended up working with him for four years in the Premier League.

“I am never one for blowing my own trumpet but I’m proud of the fact I’ve worked in every division, including this one, and won it twice with Altrincham as a player.”

Barrow’s vast experience was a decisive factor in Ricketts approaching the man who made more than 200 appearances as a player for arch rivals Chester.

Ricketts said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Graham has come on board to work with me here.

“He brings with him vast experience and knowledge which will help us as a club this season. He is exactly the kind of person you need around the place.

“He was with Wigan for 10 years working in the top flight with Roberto Martinez but has also escaped the National League with the same club prior to that which is incredible.”