Wrexham’s prominent striker Paul Mullin has spoken out to challenge claims that he circumvented proper channels by directly contacting club co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to express concerns about his playing time. The footballer, who has enjoyed cult status among fans since joining Wrexham in July 2021, is preparing for a season-long loan with Wigan Athletic following a season marked by injury and team selection difficulties.
Mullin’s achievements at Wrexham are nothing short of remarkable. Amassing 110 goals for the Welsh side, his contribution has been pivotal in propelling the club from non-league football to the verge of the Championship through three consecutive promotions—an astonishing feat in modern British football. His on-field exploits have made him a central figure in the club’s rise, and his off-field profile soared further through recurring appearances in the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ docuseries.
However, recent months have seen Mullin’s relationship with the club alter significantly. Following back surgery last summer and a subsequent dip in form, the striker found himself gradually phased out of manager Phil Parkinson’s plans as Wrexham fought for promotion from League One. When new signings Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez were brought in to bolster the front line in January, Mullin’s place in the squad became even more precarious.
In the public eye, Mullin’s frustration has been palpable. During a recently-aired episode of the Disney+ series, he openly admitted feelings of disappointment and rejection over his sidelining. Rumours subsequently emerged on social media, suggesting that Mullin had gone over Parkinson’s head, allegedly voicing his grievances to owners Reynolds and McElhenney—a claim he has now dismissed outright.
Speaking candidly on the StillTalkingShow podcast, Mullin described the strain such speculation creates for players. “There are things that bug you as you’re only human. It’s when people come up with silly stuff,” he said. “There was a thing earlier in the year that I’d rung the owners, Rob and Ryan, and gone above the manager, and that’s why I wasn’t playing. I don’t know where they get it from.” He went on to assert firmly, “That’s not me, that’s not my personality and that didn’t happen.”
Mullin also expressed disappointment that manager Parkinson did not clarify the situation publicly to dispel the rumours, observing, “The manager could have helped me out and come out and said why he wasn’t playing me and that would’ve been it. I don’t know why that didn’t happen, but I had to respond because that’s not me.”
Now, Mullin is poised to continue his career with Wigan Athletic in League One, while Wrexham enter the Championship following another phase of squad development under their ambitious owners. The striker has voiced a sense of irony that his role in the club’s success may have inadvertently contributed to his own exit. “As players, I think we’ve done an unbelievable job to take the club where it is. Through time, though, it’ll probably be to our own detriment as players, because you do that well that they’ve got so much money and they don’t want you anymore. It’s quite sad, but that’s just the way it is,” Mullin reflected.
He likened the club’s evolving squad to a child’s ever-changing collection of toys, stating, “You can have all the toys in the world, but you still want new ones and it’s the same in football. Sometimes it’s just the way it is. When we go up the leagues, we’re going to need players experienced at that level. If it means that’s the end for some of us, then obviously it’s tough to take after everything we’ve achieved.”
Despite his disappointment, Mullin expressed gratitude for his time at Wrexham and towards the Hollywood owners who have transformed the club’s fortunes. “I’m so grateful to the owners. It’s been some ride. We’ve set records that probably will never be broken, and made history many times over,” he said.
Mullin’s honesty and humility have resonated with fans who have seen the club’s fortunes shift in recent years. While his future now lies away from the Racecourse Ground, his legacy in Wrexham’s extraordinary journey remains secure—a reminder that in football, as in life, even the brightest heroes can face the winds of change.