LET’S kick off with something that’s high on everyone’s list - and that’s the search for Wrexham AFC’s next manager.

Things are proceeding to the plan we set out from the start and the thorough process we’ve been going through has continued this week.

I know fans are desperate to discover who the next Reds’ manager will be.

We now have a shortlist and expect to make an announcement on who the next manager will be next week.

We had a time frame laid out from the minute we started searching for a new manager and it was so important that we looked at everything to ensure we make the right appointment.

This is a huge summer for the football club, especially in terms of appointing a new manager who can help in our dream to get back into the Football League.

The start of the new season is not far away and neither is our pre-season tour to America.

I have to say how enthused we’ve all been by the response from the Wrexham community to the news that we’ll be playing Philadelphia Union in a friendly on July 29.

I’m sure Wrexham fans will want to see that game - I know Rob and Ryan want to.

We’ll be working very closely with the various authorities to carry out all the safety checks prior to going and the implications of what happens on our return too.

We will be carefully monitoring all the advice involving travel requirements and any restrictions that may be put in place - and would encourage all supporters who are planning to go out there to do the same.

The team will spend five days in Philadelphia and will use Union’s first class training facility as well as playing the friendly game.

It’s about 30 degrees out there. It’s no Rhyl, I know but it will be tough in the heat.

And I had to get this line in but because we’ve been robbed of playing Chester over the years, we’ve had to go a little bit further afield to play the game in Chester PA, which is where Philadelphia’s Subaru Park is located.

It will be a great end to July as when we return home to North Wales, the big kick off to the National League season won’t be that far away.

The fixtures for the new season are out on July 7 which always feels like the real transition into the new season

I’m desperate for the first game to be at home so we can welcome you all back to what we hope is a packed-out Racecourse.

All fans have missed out on their football fix and the first game at the renovated Racecourse is one I’m so much looking forward to.

We were delighted to announce that Ifor Williams Trailers will be our shorts sponsors for next season.

We were eager for them to continue their support for the club and so were Ifor Williams.

They were willing to relinquish their main sponsorship because we were exploring other potential sponsors and we’re so grateful they are still continuing what has been a very generous partnership with the club.

We have also, this week sent out the first of our membership newsletters to the 18,000-plus members on our list. These will be sent out monthly and will be a great source of news from inside the Racecourse.

And finally, the other thing everyone’s talking about aside from Wrexham’s next manager, is the Euro Finals.

Wales are through and so are England - and that makes me happy on both counts.

If I’d have become an international footballer, I could have played for all four home nations.

My dad’s from Belfast, my mother was from Powys, I was born in England and I lived in Scotland for five years!

Let’s hope we’re talking about Wales and England’s quarter-final matches in a week’s time.