Hollywood-backed Wrexham have released a sum of 11 players after securing promotion to the Football League.
The Red Dragons, backed by Hollywood pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will play in League Two for the first time since 2008 after winning the National League in remarkable circumstances.
Wrexham are already gearing up for next season and have identified several players to sign in the summer transfer window.
They will, however, have to abide by strict wage regulations as clubs are only able to spend 55 percent of their salary turnovers.
Striker Paul Mullin, their top scorer of 38 goals in the title-winning triumph, has had his deal extended, alongside Mark Howard and Anthony Forde.
Youngsters Scott Butler and Aaron James will pen new contracts, while Owen Cushion has a first professional contract on the table.
Liam McAlinden will get a fresh deal, while there is an update on the situation of Ben Foster.
The former Man United and Watford keeper had already said he would have to go and have a think of his own after coming out of retirement in March and helping Wrexham secure promotion.
This has definitely left him in a situation where his future as a footballer is uncertain.
The hierarchy says a discussion with Foster will hold to know whether he wishes to continue playing, though Reynolds already reckons he has a verbal agreement after their on-pitch conversation.
Harry Lennon is retiring from professional football aged 28 after injury limited him to just two appearances in Wrexham’s promotion campaign.
Below is the list of released players:
Ryan Austin
Kai Calderbank-Park
Malik Dijksteel
Reece Hall-Johnson
Jake Hyde
Harry Lennon
Rory Watson
Tom Jenkins
Dan Jones
Louis Lloyd
Will Mountfield
Wrexham’s owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny were keen to take the first team to an epic promotion party in Las Vegas earlier this month.
Before the trip to Las Vagas, Paul Mullin told GQ:
“It became a thing where if we won the league, we’d get a holiday. So we’re off to Vegas.
“Ryan and Rob told us to leave our cards at home, they’re sorting the lot.
“They sent us a full travel plan just now”.
“Part of me doesn’t want to go, I might die by the end of it.
“But I’d never go to Vegas of my own accord, so I’m looking forward to it.”
The Wrexham squad enjoyed dinner at the exclusive Hakkasan restaurant on the evening before the party, where they got an incredible reception.
What next for Wrexham after promotion?
Having released players, they will look to sign players on a limited budget that will help to challenge in League Two.
We look at players they could sign to strengthen key areas of their squad:
Bale
Bale is a retired player. But he has been reportedly linked with a move to Wrexham after congratulating them on their promotion.
Owner McElhenney gave a subtle response asking to play golf with the ex-Real Madrid star and in the process talking him out of retirement to play for Wrexham.
Danny Rose
Many would remember him during his time at Tottenham when he and Kyle Walker were constantly wreaking devastating havoc down the flanks.
He’s been without a club since leaving Watford in 2022.
Daniel Sturridge
He’s also a free agent. He’s been without a club since leaving Perth Glory in 2022.
However, the National League winners Wrexham might be considering his fitness issues if at all they want to sign him.
Phil Jones
Another potential free agent, whose contract expires at the end of the current 22/23 season is Phil Jones.
The Englishman is yet to feature this season, his last competitive action came in May 2022.
When was the last time Wrexham played in League Two?
Wrexham have spent the last 14 seasons playing in the National League.
The last time they were in English football’s fourth division, League Two was during the 2007/08 season.
Wrexham finished rock bottom that season.
Can Wrexham overachieve and get promoted to League One?
Wrexham will be looking to build momentum from a successful 2022/23 campaign.
The first aim will be survival in the division but as we’ve seen so often this season this club boasts of players who are ready to perform at an extremely high level.
They will look to go one better by getting promoted. They look set to challenge at the top end of the league table and climb the pyramid of English football at an expeditious rate.
