AKIL WRIGHT will always be grateful to Wrexham for giving him the platform to showcase his talent.

The 24-year-old’s three-year spell at The Racecourse came to an end last week when he was one of 11 players told by Dean Keates that their contract would not be renewed.

Wright, who initially arrived in north Wales on a loan deal from Fleetwood in the summer of 2017, is proud to have been able to wear the famous red shirt.

“I arrived in Wrexham as a 21-year-old and I’ve had an amazing time,” said Wright. “It’s important for young players to be able to get experience and Wrexham allowed me to do that.

“I wasn’t going to play for Fleetwood, so it was important for me to be somewhere that I was wanted and Wrexham was that club. I can’t thank the club enough for giving me an opportunity to show what I can do in the National League, which isn’t an easy league to play in given the amount of good teams.

“Three years have flown by and I’ve enjoyed my time with Wrexham.”

Wright insisted the dreaded call from Keates informing him that his services were no longer required by Wrexham was “disappointing, but no major shock” after a stop-start 2019/20 National League campaign in which he made 15 appearances, 12 of which were starts.

A bout of vertigo meant Wright missed the end of pre-season and the opening four games of the season, while a hernia meant the energetic midfielder was sidelined for around two-and-a-half months just as he was hitting his stride under Keates.

Wright returned to action as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 success at Bromley in February, but just two games later the season was ended abruptly due to the coronavirus crisis.

“I didn’t have the best of seasons,” said Wright. “I had a good pre-season and was getting ready for the season to start and then I ended up with vertigo, which was a worrying time.

“I got back and started playing well under Dean before I ended up with a hernia. I returned at Bromley and then soon after the season was stopped.

“It’s been a bad season.”

And while Wright has found the going tough, Wrexham were having their own struggles, the Reds narrowly avoiding relegation to National League North.

It meant Wright’s three-year spell at The Racecourse ended on a disappointing note.

“The first season we were doing well, Dean left and we fell off,” reflected Wright.

“The second season was heartbreaking, because we should have at least beat Eastleigh. We were one of the best teams, if not the best team, not to get promoted in my second season.

“I felt we could have won the league, and that came after having three managers.

“The second season I was at the club was by far the best one I had. I scored six goals and could have had more and we reached the play-offs.

“We even had a decent start last season, but results dropped off and it was a tough time.”

What’s next for Wright?

“For me, it’s about not rushing into anything,” he said. “I will keep speaking to my agent and find somewhere I can look to the future and set some new goals.”