For Wrexham, the past ten years have seen both devastating lows and, more recently, enormous highs.
Red Dragons fans have witnessed it all, from almost being demoted during the Covid season to winning the National League title with a record-breaking margin last season.
You may make a compelling case that only players from the most recent seasons ought to be included in the team’s best XI for the previous ten years.
After Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over Wrexham, a host of elite talent has in fact made their way to the Racecourse Ground.
But selecting only actors from the Hollywood era would also be very boring, so we have at least a few faces from earlier periods.
After all, there are plenty of players who made fans happy when Ted Robbins—best known for his role as Den Perry in Phoenix Nights—was the most well-known figure in the crowd.
The best Wrexham AFC XI since 2014
Phil Parkinson will not be selecting that formation very soon since the Wrexham manager is adamantly in favour of a 3-5-2.
But we’ve chosen to adopt a 4-3-3 setup in an attempt to fit in some of the top players from the past ten years.
GK: Ben Foster
Ben Foster is the only name you may choose amongst the posts.
Towards the close of the previous season, the seasoned goalie came out of retirement for one of the most remarkable cameos in non-league history.
The moment that turned the title race completely in Wrexham’s favor against Notts County was definitely his penalty save.
Nothing will ever be able to take away from the memories he made helping the team get out of the National League, even though signing a new contract for their League Two season wasn’t the wisest decision.
RB: Anthony Forde
Anthony Forde, who joined Wrexham from Oxford United in July 2022, has been a model of consistency at right wing-back.
Before the Irishman made the part his own, Phil Parkinson attempted a few different faces in it.
Forde, who played more than 30 games for the team last season, is equally adept at attacking down the right flank and returning to handle defense.
As they accumulated 111 points, he also scored three goals, including a crucial goal to end the tie in Wrexham’s penultimate match against Yeovil Town.
It speaks something about the man’s integrity that he handled personal issues off the field after learning that his wife had a brain tumor.
CB: Aaron Hayden
This is the well-known cry among Wrexham supporters in honor of one of their standout center backs.
After moving from Carlisle United in August 2021, Hayden became an instant favorite.
A true rock in the middle of defense, he also scored eleven goals the previous campaign, frequently with the help of teammate Ben Tozer’s long throws.
Unfortunately, injuries have limited his playing time in League Two, but he is without a doubt one of the team’s most gifted defenders in a very long time.
CB: Shaun Pearson
Shaun Pearson, the former club captain, is the first member of our XI to have joined Wrexham prior to the Hollywood period.
When Dean Keates signed a contract in May 2017 after putting up confident back-row performances for Grimsby Town, supporters were ecstatic.
A natural leader with an unmatched zeal, Pearson was a master at the air and had sergeant major-like command over the backline.
Prior to his return to Grimsby in the summer of 2021, fans embraced him for his efforts off the field, which included bringing takeout to their homes during COVID-19.
When Ryan Reynolds learned that Pearson had decided to retire from competition, he summed it up perfectly when he called him “one of the best.”
LB: Jacob Mendy
All Wrexham supporters need to do is look at Jacob Mendy flying down the left wing to get them out of their seats.
The club did not have a lot of pace in the left-wing-back position prior to the arrival of the Gambian international.
His arrival just prior to the start of the previous campaign gave the team much-needed balance, and his goals and assists significantly increased the team’s offensive threat.
Mendy’s most memorable moment to date occurred last April when he heroically charged forward to net his team’s second goal in their thrilling matchup with Notts County.
The former Boreham Wood player has played more frequently on the right side of defense in League Two since James McClean’s arrival, and he has performed admirably there as well.
CM: George Evans
Being a quality-driven manager, Phil Parkinson was prepared to hold off on signing George Evans from Millwall until the very end of the summer transfer window.
It was soon evident why, as he made an early impression with some refined displays in a sitting midfield role.
The 29-year-old, also known as Gorgeous George, has contributed to the development of Wrexham’s midfield into a team that can compete at the top of League Two and beyond.
The fact that Parkinson’s side has struggled with form ever since Evans sustained a glute injury in February is no coincidence.
CM: Luke Young
The iconic statement “I love Luke Young” was first spoken by former Wrexham manager Dean Keates in February 2021, following a post-match press conference. Keates sighed with admiration.
Most supporters would undoubtedly agree with this sentiment, as Young has been an essential part of the midfield engine room since coming in May 2018.
He plays like a terrier, is strong in the tackle, and during the past six years, he has scored some incredible goals.
Young is a master of set pieces and has been trusted by all of the Racecourse’s managers, including Phil Parkinson.
Although some could contend that there are currently more players with inherent potential than him, he made over 40 games last season and contributed significantly.
CAM: Elliot Lee
Expectations were sky high when Elliot Lee went down the divisions to join Wrexham from Luton in 2022.
In his debut match against Eastleigh, the attacking midfielder scored a late brace with virtually instant effect.
Over the past two seasons, Lee has been a talisman for the Red Dragons, scoring a lot of goals from midfield and completely dominating his opponents.
After stepping up to the plate once more in League Two, the 29-year-old signed a new deal in January that would keep him at the Racecourse through 2027.
ST: Louis Moult
Kevin Wilkin’s reign as manager at Wrexham was not exactly a memorable one, but he did have a good eye for a player.
Former Stoke City striker Louis Moult tore the National League apart during 2014/15, scoring 23 goals in his only season with the club after joining from Nuneaton Town.
Supporters didn’t get to see too many 20-goal strikers before the takeover, but Moult was ruthless in front of goal.
He was later signed by Motherwell, where he also scored for fun, and has played in the Championship with Preston. He can still be found putting them away for Dundee United in the Scottish Championship.
ST: Paul Mullin
There are frankly not enough superlatives in the English dictionary to describe how good Paul Mullin has been for Wrexham.
The clinical striker was the club’s first real marquee signing under the new owners after scoring 32 goals for Cambridge United in 2020/21.
Mullin has topped the goalscoring charts since arriving in North Wales with a tally nearly in triple figures already.
Far from being just another mercenary, the Scouser has built up a real affinity with the fans through his tenacious attitude and raw passion.
He recently signed a new deal keeping him at the club until 2027 and supporters will be hoping to watch him for many years to come.
ST: Ollie Palmer
At the top end of the pitch, there should be an Ollie Palmer to accompany every Paul Mullin, someone who can thump the ball down and make it stick.
Despite an already great start to his career at Wrexham, Mullin’s full potential was not realized until the huge attacker arrived in January 2022.
Palmer, who was brought in from AFC Wimbledon, has scored once every two games and provided a much-needed physical presence up front.
In League Two, Parkinson has frequently favored starting veteran forward Steven Fletcher next to Mullin, but many still believe Palmer is the ideal counterbalance for his standout striker.
