BRIAN FLYNN is back at Wrexham and he uttered the words all Reds fans want to hear: "Good times are going to be coming back."

The 63-year-old has been appointed as assistant manager to Bryan Hughes, who took over The Racecourse hotseat earlier this month.

Former Wales international Flynn was appointed player-manager of Wrexham in 1989 and won promotion to the third tier, and enjoyed numerous FA Cup upsets, before leaving in 2001.

Since his departure Wrexham have dropped out of the Football League and are currently spending an 11th season in non-league.

But the Reds are top of the National League and Flynn admits clinching promotion would be a big achievement.

"I got criticised for saying we would be happy for mid-table mediocrity in the first division," said Flynn.

"Half past four we were in the play-offs and then we went out.

"Getting promotion would be a huge achievement after 11 years because things can stagnate.

"I'm not saying they have here but if you want to make comparisons, Newport were out of the league for 20 years.

"Good times are going to be coming back."

During his reign as manager, Flynn saw Hughes come through the youth ranks and help Wrexham reach the 1996-97 FA Cup quarter-finals, earning the midfielder a big money move to Birmingham City.

The duo are now reunited and Flynn jumped at the chance to come back to Wrexham.

"It developed early on in the week and without real hesitation, I was always going to come back," said Flynn.

"For many reasons. Mainly Bryan and there is obviously a sentimental attraction for Wrexham Football Club.

"But I think it is important when young managers come into the game, they get the best support they can and I am here to support Bryan and the staff.

"They have put us where we are at the moment and the momentum he has gained has been phenomenal for a young manager.

"I know the club inside out. You don't spend 12 years at a club and then forget about it overnight.

"I have been watching the fortunes over the years. They haven't been great, 11 years out of the Football League is a horrible statistic.

"We need to get back and we need to get back quickly.

"The short-term aim is promotion. The long term aim, when we get there, we will look at that at the time."

Hughes, who is the club's third manager of the season after Graham Barrow and Sam Ricketts, has enjoyed a superb start to his reign as Reds boss.

Wrexham won their first three games under Hughes and then drew 1-1 at Gateshead on Saturday to stay top of the table, and Flynn likes what he sees from the 42-year-old who he feels has got a bright future in management.

"Bryan has obviously made an impact immediately and got some momentum going," said Flynn.

"He is fresh, young, and no fear as a manager which is good.

"When you are going into games and there is doubt, the players can feed off that.

"There is no doubt in his mind what he wants; how he sets the team up, his game-plan, tactically how good he is, they are all good signs.

"As a manager you can't win everything all the time.

"Coming close to that is breaking records and if you can break club records then there is some satisfaction in that.

"I broke many records at Wrexham and now I hope Bryan beats them."

A 93rd minute equaliser at Gateshead from substitute Cole Stockton extended Wrexham's unbeaten run to five games, leaving the Reds with a two point lead at the summit.

It was Wrexham's third away game in a week, clocking up more than 1,200 miles, and Flynn saw a lot of positives in his first match as assistant.

"Any point away from home in any division you play is important," said Flynn.

"And the manner in which they did it, with the travelling they have done this week, against difficult opposition who basically just sat back in the second half and put a wall of defenders.

"We created the chances, unfortunately we did not take the chances, but Cole was in the right place at the right time at the end; the substitute has made an impact.

"Fitness levels looked really good, the energy looked good so all them things are good pointers in the direction of getting back in the Football League."

Wrexham have 11 games remaining and Flynn says the Reds are focussed on themselves rather than their title rivals.

"You shouldn't be concerned with what others are doing," added Flynn. "If they can't catch us, even better.

"Where we are with the games left, we are the ones to be caught."