According to Phil Parkinson, he had to make room in his roster in order to bring in players that will give Wrexham a chance to compete in League One the next year.
Luke Young, the captain of the first team, and Ben Tozer, the captain of the club, are among the eight players that have been released from The Racecourse due to their expiring contracts.
After joining the Reds from Torquay United in the summer of 2018, Young has been a member of the team for the longest. As a midfielder, he has been instrumental in the team’s first-ever back-to-back promotion.
Young, a two-time recipient of the Player of the Season award, and center-back Tozer, who joined Wrexham in August 2021 from Cheltenham Town and has been a key member of the team, have not received offers for new contracts.
Goalkeeper Rob Lainton, midfielder Owen Cushion, defenders Aaron Hayden, Jordan Tunnicliffe, Callum McFadzean, and Dan Davies, and goalkeeper James McClean were also released; however, utility player James McClean’s contract was automatically extended for the 2024–2025 season, and new contracts were extended to striker Steven Fletcher, goalkeeper Mark Howard, and defender Aaron James.
League One clubs are only allowed to field a 22-man roster, which does not include goalkeepers or players who were younger than 21 at the beginning of the season. Parkinson had to take that into consideration when determining who should be included in his future plans.
“Not everyone is fully aware of that regulation. The Reds’ manager stated, “We have to work toward the 22-man squad and inevitably, the only way we can bring players in is by letting people go.”
“Our goal has always been to retain our core players while also making improvements to what we already have during each transfer window.
That’s what we’re going to try to accomplish this time.
“The summer will be exciting; we have ideas about how we want the squad to develop.
“We will take our time and hopefully get a squad which can be competitive.”
Parkinson went on, “It was difficult because all the lads have made contributions over the last few years.” When notifying players they are not being retained.
“I wish all the lads all the best and I am sure they will all get fixed up with good clubs, ready for the next challenge in their careers.”
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