WREXHAM, WALES - APRIL 22: Paul Mullin of Wrexham kisses his Vanarama National League winners medal during the Vanarama National League match between Wrexham and Boreham Wood at Racecourse Ground on April 22, 2023 in Wrexham, Wales. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
Eight out of contract players have been released by Wrexham.
PHIL PARKINSON says he had to free up space in his squad to allow him to make signings that will make Wrexham competitive in League One next season.
Eight players who are out of contract at The Racecourse this summer have been released, including first team captain Luke Young and club captain Ben Tozer.
Young is the longest serving player in the squad, having joined the Reds from Torquay United in the summer of 2018, and the midfielder has played a key role in the Reds clinching back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club’s history.
A two-time Player of the Season award winner, Young has not been offered a new deal along with centre-back Tozer who signed for Wrexham in August 2021 from Cheltenham Town and has been a highly influential figure in the squad.
Defenders Aaron Hayden, Jordan Tunnicliffe, Callum McFadzean and Dan Davies, goalkeeper Rob Lainton and midfielder Owen Cushion have also been released but utility player James McClean has had his contract automatically extended for the 2024-25 campaign and striker Steven Fletcher, goalkeeper Mark Howard and defender Aaron James have been offered new deals.
Clubs in League One are limited to a 22-man squad, although that number does not include goalkeepers or players who were under the age of 21 at the start of the calendar year, and Parkinson had to bear that in mind when it came to deciding who should be part of his plans going forward.
“People are not completely aware of that rule. We have got to work towards the 22-man squad and inevitably, the only way we can bring players in is by letting people go,” said the Reds’ boss.
“The aim has always been to improve what we have got in each transfer window but also maintaining our key players.
