THE bookies aren’t always right but who in their right mind would seriously bet against Wrexham not winning the National League title this season?

England fans have been harping on for decades about all the years of hurt they’ve suffered before it was left to The Lionesses to finally bring football home this week.

Wrexham supporters have been in the doldrums too and this season marks the 20th anniversary of the last time the club celebrated promotion.

It’s also 50 years ago since the Reds embarked on their first adventures in Europe so if we’re looking for hat-tricks, there would be no better way to celebrate than by finishing top this season.

Not many in mainland Europe had heard of the Reds 50 years ago but now everyone all over the world knows that ‘Wrexham is the name’.

And, with thanks to Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the famous and proud North Wales club will be box office when the Welcome to Wrexham documentary hits the screens later this month.

Last season was a dress rehearsal but this season Phil Parkinson and his players can’t afford to fluff their lines.

Robbie Savage - one of the town’s most famous footballing sons - said it would be a failure if Wrexham didn’t win the title this season.

And few would disagree with that as Wrexham have assembled one of the strongest squads they’ve ever had.

Over the 15 barren years in non-league football - the 2013 Wembley FA Trophy win excluded - there’s been hope but unfortunately no glory.

This has to be the season that all changes and what better way to start than a convincing home win in front of a raucous Racecourse crowd on the first day.

Every football fan across the world believes their team can lift silverware on the day of the big kick-off.

That will be the scenario come five to three in Wrexham tomorrow where the pressure will once again be intense.

There’s no doubt Wrexham’s squad is stronger than last season with Parkinson now having game-changers at his disposal on the bench.

Before we get too happy-clappy and start swirling the pom-poms left, right and centre just remember Wrexham lost the three games they needed to win as last season ended disastrously.

But Wrexham also showed they have got the bottle for the big occasion - the two home wins against Stockport and super away victories at Chesterfield and Notts County were proof of that.

Now they’ve got to produce that week in, week out in their 46-game title quest.

And, you know what, I think every Wrexham fan believes they can and will do it!

NICK HARRISON

 

COULD this finally be the year?

Bookmakers certainly think so and supporters fancy Wrexham’s title chancers after seeing Phil Parkinson complete six quality signings and retain the services of the key players who took the Reds close last season.

But success-starved fans know better than to believe promotion is a foregone conclusion at The Racecourse.

They are used to disappointment, none more so than last term when there was more play-off heartbreak after pushing Stockport all the way for top spot.

It certainly won’t be easy despite all the hype over Parkinson’s squad oozing quality because other teams will feel they can challenge for automatic promotion.

One thing that is certain is that whether Wrexham win, lose or draw on the opening day against Eastleigh, it won’t have a bearing on the destination of the title.

But a victory would be the perfect start to what promises to be an exciting nine months. Enjoy the ride!

RICHARD WILLIAMS

 

The beginning of a new season is always a strange time.

Nervous anticipation with the hope that the squad can finally do the business on this occasion, but always there's that nagging doubt in the back of your mind that it's going to be a case of 'same old'.

This time, though, it's got to be Wrexham's season, hasn't it?

An already strong squad has been further strengthened and the Racecourse is going to be packed out once again throughout the campaign.

Last season, Phil Parkinson's starting XI was a strong one, demonstrated by the fact Stockport had to wait until the final day to eventually wrap-up the title.

For 2022-23, the Reds have a strong, strong squad and there's real competition for places in the starting line-up.

Jordan Tunnicliffe, Mark Howard, Elliot Lee, Anthony Forde, Sam Dalby and Jacob Mendy will all make sure of that and it's no surprise that Wrexham are strong favourites to finally make that elusive return to the Football League.

It's a tough league to get out of - probably the toughest - but this will be Wrexham's season, starting with a victory at home to Eastleigh tomorrow at a packed-out Racecourse.

SHAUN DAVIES