Phil Parkinson Embraces Wrexham Championship Return and Urges Fans to ‘Appreciate What We’ve Done’
Phil Parkinson’s Measured Approach to Wrexham’s Championship Return
Four years ago, Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham were running out in front of a couple of thousand fans away at Solihull Moors, battling for survival in the depths of non-league football. This Saturday, they’ll be stepping onto the pristine pitch at St Mary’s Stadium to face Southampton — a club that not long ago was trading blows with the best in the Premier League. It’s the kind of leap that doesn’t happen by accident, and yet for Wrexham, it’s happened in a blur: three consecutive promotions, a Hollywood-fuelled revival, and a place in the Championship for the first time in 20 years.
For Parkinson, who has managed in this division before with Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic, and Hull City, the challenge ahead is clear. The Championship is a battleground where reputations are irrelevant, and even the most in-form side can be humbled in the blink of an eye. Still, as he prepares his squad for the step up, his overriding message is one of perspective.
“Sometimes you do have to step back and appreciate what we’ve done,” Parkinson said, reflecting on the whirlwind journey. “From Solihull away to Southampton in four years… it’s remarkable.”
The Harsh Realities of the Championship
For all the romance of Wrexham’s story, Parkinson knows that sentiment counts for little once the whistle blows. The Championship’s reputation as one of the most unpredictable leagues in the world is well-earned. Last season alone saw 15 managerial changes, a testament to its unforgiving nature.
“I think it’s a great league,” Parkinson admitted. “Every game feels like a real big match atmosphere. The division is so tight — you can get on a good run, but you can just as quickly be on a bad run. It changes fast. By the end of last season, so many teams were still in contention for the play-offs.”
That volatility can be brutal. Injuries, fixture congestion, and the sheer physicality of the competition often take their toll, even on well-established Championship clubs. For a newly promoted side like Wrexham, the key will be managing those inevitable dips without allowing them to spiral.
“If we get beat in games, which inevitably will happen, we can’t overreact,” Parkinson explained. “We regroup, focus on the next one. That was our mindset last year. We had setbacks, people doubting us, questioning me, questioning the players. But we always looked at the bigger picture.”
From Fifth Tier to the Big Stage
It’s easy to forget just how far Wrexham have come in such a short time. In 2021, they were a mid-table National League side, battling for relevance in the lower reaches of English football. The arrival of Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney brought new investment, global attention, and a surge of ambition, but promotion still had to be earned on the pitch.
Back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One would have been impressive enough. Adding a third straight leap into the Championship is the kind of achievement most clubs can only dream of.
“It’s amazing that we’ll be running out at Southampton in front of a packed house,” Parkinson said, his voice carrying both pride and realism. “This is a team that’s spent a lot of time in the Premier League over the last few years. We have to respect that, but we also have to believe we can compete.”
The Fine Line Between Dreaming and Planning
While some fans have already started whispering about the possibility of a fourth straight promotion — one that would take Wrexham into the Premier League — Parkinson is quick to cool the speculation. His focus is on establishing the club in the Championship, not chasing fairy-tale leaps without a solid foundation.
“Yes, momentum is important,” he admitted. “But sustaining it after such rapid progress is the real challenge. We have to understand the limits of the squad and build sensibly.”
That means being prepared for bumps in the road. The Championship’s relentless schedule, the depth of quality in every squad, and the financial muscle of recent Premier League dropouts will all test Wrexham’s resilience.
The Southampton Test
Wrexham 2025
Opening day fixtures don’t come much tougher. Southampton, relegated from the Premier League just over a year ago, will be desperate to bounce back at the first attempt. The Saints still boast top-flight experience throughout their squad and are expected to be among the promotion contenders.
For Wrexham, the trip to St Mary’s is both a reality check and an opportunity. A good performance — even in defeat — could set the tone for the season, showing that they can hold their own against the Championship’s elite.
“Sometimes you get these moments in football where you have to pinch yourself,” Parkinson said. “For the players, walking out at a stadium like that, in front of a full house, it’s something to savour. But once the whistle goes, it’s about the football.”
A Manager Who Knows the Terrain
One advantage Wrexham have is a manager who understands the Championship’s demands. Parkinson has been here before, guiding Bolton to safety against the odds and taking Hull to the play-offs. That experience will be invaluable when the honeymoon period fades and the grind of the season sets in.
“As a manager, you’ve got to accept the nature of the job,” he said. “You concentrate on doing your best every single day. That’s the only way to get through the ups and downs of this division.”
His approach is rooted in balance — celebrating the progress made, but never losing sight of the next challenge.
Appreciating the Journey
Perhaps the most striking thing about Parkinson’s outlook is how grounded it is. In an era when clubs can be consumed by the pursuit of the next big achievement, he’s willing to pause and acknowledge the milestones along the way.
From the National League to facing clubs with Premier League history, Wrexham’s transformation has been one of modern football’s most compelling stories. Now comes the next chapter — one that will demand just as much resilience, belief, and togetherness as the climb that brought them here.
“It’s been a journey, no doubt,” Parkinson said. “But we’re not done yet. The Championship is a different beast, and we’re ready to face it head on.”
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