Wrexham is hardly a team that struggles to draw in elite players these days in terms of pulling power.
With players like Paul Mullin, Elliott Lee, and Steven Fletcher in their ranks, the club’s fortunes have significantly improved since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over in Hollywood.
For the Red Dragons’ supporters, who have seen their fair share of disappointments over the years, it wasn’t always this way.
Here, we look back at six players that did not live up to expectations when they were at the Racecourse.
Ian Rush
When former European Cup winner Ian Rush joined Wrexham in 1998, it was a move that had the club’s fans watering at the mouth.
However, the Liverpool legend failed to score a single goal in 17 appearances for Brian Flynn’s side.
In his defence, the man regarded as one of the best strikers in the world in his heyday was in the twilight of his career at the age of 37, but it’s fair to say this signing did not live up to the hype.
He was once voted as the club’s worst-ever player in a poll by Four Four Two magazine, as per the Daily Post, although that might have had something to do with the fact he was managing Wrexham’s fierce rivals Chester at the time.
Xavi Valero
If you Google the name of Xavi Valero these days, you’ll find a man with an impressive CV as a goalkeeping coach at the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid, and currently West Ham.
For Wrexham fans, however, the very mention of the Spanish keeper will send shivers down their spines and with good reason.
He was signed by Denis Smith in January 2005 based solely off video footage (never a good sign) and made three less-than-stellar appearances.
After a series of howlers, he was hooked off at half-time during a game against Chesterfield after the club’s two central defenders told Smith they weren’t comfortable playing with him.
Some good came of the situation as it resulted in a young Ben Foster being brought in on loan from Stoke to kick-start his career, before a memorable return in 2023 when he played a key role in Wrexham’s promotion to the Football League.
Khaellem Bailey-Nicholls
One of the most abject seasons in Wrexham’s recent history came in 2016/17 when Khaellem Bailey-Nicholls was part of the squad.
The summer acquisitions made by the then-manager Gary Mills, particularly the unidentified striker for Birmingham City, left fans perplexed.
The teenage player had absurdly set himself a goal of scoring 20 to 30 goals when he first joined.
In actuality, he only made three club appearances in competition. His ultimate goal total? None.
Terry Cooke
The most well-known image of midfielder Terry Cooke is most likely the young face at the end of the row in the renowned Manchester United “Class of 92” shot.
It’s reasonable to argue that he did not achieve the same level of success as players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and David Beckham.
In fact, Cooke found it difficult to establish himself while on loan at Wrexham in 1998.
In a stroke of luck, the player himself ended up signing with Man City after having a better experience playing against them during his disastrous time at the Racecourse.
Richard Hope
Being a member of the squad when Wrexham experienced their first-ever Football League relegation will make Richard Hope’s name infamous forever.
After the defender helped rival Shrewsbury Town to the League Two play-off final, Brian Carey signed the player to a three-year contract in 2007.
He was named captain, but in a dreadful season for Wrexham, he put up a string of subpar performances in his 35 league and cup games.
After the club was relegated to non-league football, he was later placed on a transfer list and joined Grimsby Town.
Lamine Sakho
During the infancy of his managerial career, Dean Saunders made some questionable signings.
The arrival of former Senegal international Lamine Sakho initially brought a touch of glamour to the Racecourse in 2009 as he turned up in a huge Hummer.#
That was about as good as it got, however, as he scored just the one goal for Wrexham.
His most memorable moment occurred when he sent Hayes and Yeading player off with a nasty headbutt.
After failing to make an impression, he quickly expressed regret to Saunders, but in March 2010 they mutually decided to end his contract.
