Former Wrexham star Steven Fletcher has hung up his boots, declaring his time at the club as the best of his career. Let go in an unexpected twist by manager Phil Parkinson after playing a significant part in Wrexham’s three consecutive promotions, the 38-year-old striker has decided not to grace the football pitch again.
Despite being instrumental with eight goals in 40 appearances last season as Wrexham secured their promotion, Fletcher was deemed surplus to requirements as the club prepped for Championship battles. Fletcher shared his feelings on ‘That Wrexham Podcast’ with former players Ben Foster and Ben Tozer, admitting that the decision hurt at first. “I thought I’d done well and still had more to contribute to the team and the club,” he said.
Fletcher, who previously played in the Premier League with Burnley, Wolves, and Sunderland, was initially hit hard by his release but has since come to terms with it. His departure was so unexpected that his agent and family thought he was joking when he told them. Despite receiving several offers from clubs in England and Scotland, the right opportunity never sparked for him, leading to his decision to embrace retirement.
Now, his days are filled with golfing, and he looks back fondly on his time with Wrexham, marking it as his career highlight despite his extensive experience in football. The club, under Parkinson’s lead, continues forward, bringing in fresh talent like Wales striker Kieffer Moore, who has already made his mark this season.
Reflecting on his journey, Fletcher expressed his love for Wrexham, saying it was the most enjoyable part of his long career. Even after leaving, he holds the club dear, occasionally returning as a pundit and watching from the sidelines as the story of Wrexham unfolds, thanks to both their achievements on the pitch and the global interest sparked by the Disney+ documentary. It’s clear that Wrexham will always have a piece of Fletcher’s heart.