LUKE YOUNG wants to get off to a flier as the Wrexham captain believes last season’s stuttering start cost them dear in the race for promotion glory.

Wrexham picked up 12 points from their opening eight National League games in August and September last time out, winning three at home, drawing two and losing two on their travels, including a 3-1 defeat at Grimsby Town, who ended their promotion play-off dream at The Racecourse last May.

“It’s vital we get off to a better start than we did last season,” said Young, who has described it as an honour to captain Wrexham into another campaign.

“Our start last year wasn’t the best but I think we’re in a better place this season.

“We’ve kept the majority of last season’s squad and made a few additions.

“It’s important we start well and if we do it will give us momentum early on and that could be so important come the end of the season.”

Young knows there will be more competition for places this season with attacking midfielder Elliot Lee joining the likes of James Jones, Tom O’Connor, Liam McAlinden and Wrexham-born Jordan Davies in the options open to Reds boss Phil Parkinson.

Davies is guaranteed a start after scoring 21 goals last season while Young went from top scorer to having a rare campaign without finding the net last term.

Young finished 2020-21 as the Reds’ leading marksman with 11 goals, over-taking striker Kwame Thomas who missed the run-in after rupturing an Achilles.

Appointed as Wrexham captain going into last season by incoming manager Phil Parkinson, back-to-back Player of the Season winner Young was again a regular in the side as the Reds challenged for the National League title.

There was no goal for Young, however, with with his last competitive strike coming in the 5-3 home win over King’s Lynn on May 22 2021.

Wrexham are preparing for a 15th season in non-league but Young - the former Plymouth and Torquay midfielder - is confident he will be back on the scoresheet.

“I kept on saying to myself that I was saving it for the most important one but it didn’t come,” said the 29-year-old, who joined Wrexham in the summer of 2018 from Torquay.

“It was one of them seasons where it just didn’t happen for me.

“I didn’t necessarily get in many positions to have goalscoring opportunities, and obviously Paul Mullin came in and became the penalty taker which I had no issue with.

“It was not a problem, Mulls came in as a goalscorer hungry for goals and that showed with him finishing top scorer so I can’t have any arguments about that.

“I have no idea who is going to come in this season and the approach that the gaffer is going to take on things but hopefully I can build on what I did last year and chip in with a few goals myself, and rack my tally up a little bit more.

“I have only got to get one to beat last year!”

Young may not have found the net but was high up when it came to creating goals - something he is keen to do again this season.

“I had a different role from when I first joined,” said Young, who will lead the team out at home to Eastleigh tomorrow.

“I played a deeper role last season and I don’t mind where I play as long as the manager picks me.”

Young didn’t score during Parkinson’s first season in The Racecourse hotseat but the Reds’ boss does not doubt the midfielder’s shooting ability.

“Luke was frustrated one of those shots he had didn’t end up in the back of the net,” said Parkinson.

“But he is a very good striker of the ball, I am sure that will come but he played his role.”

Young might not have scored, and there was no promotion to celebrate, but Wrexham finished the season as the top scorers in the division with 91 goals in 44 matches.

The Reds’ topped the century mark with goals in cup competitions and Parkinson is looking for more of the same in 2022-23 with a tight defence.

“We were free-scoring and we hope to be the same this year,” he added.

“Obviously the aim is to be a real threat going one way and make sure that we are strong defensively.

“Getting the balance right in any team in any division is the key to success.”