**Wrexham Legend Stands by Phil Parkinson Amidst Fan Critique After Promotion Success**
Wrexham’s return to footballing glory has not been without its controversies this season, but one former hero of the Racecourse Ground has come out in firm support of current manager Phil Parkinson. Following a campaign marked by high-profile signings and painful decisions regarding fan favourites, club legend Mickey Thomas believes Parkinson’s tough choices have been thoroughly justified by results on the pitch.
The spotlight fell on Parkinson after a bold revamp of his attacking line-up in January. The arrivals of strikers Sam Smith from Reading and Jay Rodriguez from Burnley – with Smith reportedly commanding a £2 million transfer fee – relegated stalwarts Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer to the margins. For many long-term supporters, this was a hard pill to swallow given Mullin’s instrumental role in Wrexham’s meteoric rise from the National League just a couple of seasons prior. Tensions reached a boiling point in March, when Palmer’s father openly questioned the expense and effectiveness of the club’s new forwards, urging Parkinson via social media to “swallow his pride” and give Palmer another chance.
Despite early scepticism, Thomas insists Parkinson has shown the courage and foresight needed to take Wrexham to new heights. Speaking after Wrexham secured their latest promotion to the Championship with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic, Thomas praised Parkinson’s ability to make difficult decisions under pressure, particularly in the face of public criticism. “Phil Parkinson has had to make some really tough decisions and it wasn’t really going down well with the supporters, but that shows how brave he was because it was a tough call. Obviously, it proved right,” said Thomas. “He has to choose what is best for the team and you have to go along with that.”
Adding his own experience as a player, Thomas reflected: “I’ve had my differences with managers throughout my career, but there’s only one winner and that’s the manager.” His comments underscore the ultimate responsibility and authority resting with the person in charge, even when supporter opinion is divided.
Perhaps the most striking change under Parkinson has been the reduced role for Paul Mullin, who has notched over 100 goals for Wrexham since joining in July 2021. Yet this season, the once-prolific forward found himself on the periphery, starting only nine times in the league and missing out on the matchday squad entirely since January. Unsurprisingly, speculation mounted regarding a rift between Mullin and the manager—a rumour Mullin publicly dismissed as “nonsense.”
Thomas, who represented Wales 51 times and remains a revered figure in North Wales football, remains optimistic about Mullin’s future at Wrexham. After sharing a conversation with the striker during last weekend’s promotion celebrations, Thomas voiced his confidence: “He’s not playing at this moment in time, but he’s been a big player for Wrexham over the years and his goal return has been exceptional. He was celebrating afterwards with all the players and he understands that sometimes you’re not going to be in favour. I’m sure he’ll work this summer to try and get back into that starting XI next season. Only time will tell whether that will happen.”
The current campaign’s drama unfolded against the backdrop of Wrexham’s extraordinary rise in profile, much of it owed to the Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The global success of the Disney+ documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ has propelled the club to international recognition and drawn ever-increasing crowds to the Racecourse. Yet, as Thomas rightly points out, this new-found fame could easily add unwelcome pressure on the team and manager.
“He [Parkinson] has been magnificent. With all the profile of the club and all the cameras around the ground, he’s kept them at a level and that is so important,” Thomas said in praise of the manager’s steady hand. “Some performances, people said it wasn’t good enough, but we were getting results. It’s all about winning football games and getting over the line. The most important thing is that we are heading for a very special place now in the Championship.”
As Wrexham prepare for life in the Championship, the debate over Parkinson’s big gambles and the possible return of sidelined stars like Mullin will no doubt rumble on. For now, though, there can be little argument with the club’s upward trajectory or the strong leadership shown both on and off the pitch.
Indeed, the unity between board, manager, players, and fans may be tested again in the higher division. However, if this season has shown anything, it is that tough decisions—when made for the club’s long-term benefit—can pay off handsomely, and legends like Mickey Thomas recognise that sometimes the bravest calls are the right ones.