Glamour club Wrexham proving it can produce its own

What the report says

BBC Sport Wales reports that Wrexham are trying to balance their headline-grabbing transfer activity with a longer-term push to develop academy players. Since Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac took over in 2021, the club’s rapid climb through the leagues has been supported by major squad investment and signings such as Jay Rodriguez, Conor Coady and Kieffer Moore. But the report says more than £3m has also gone into the academy, reflecting the owners’ interest in creating a stronger homegrown pathway.

One current example is 18-year-old defender Dafydd Edwards, who has signed his first professional contract after being chosen as Wrexham’s academy player of the season. Edwards, from Ruthin, played 44 matches last season, captained academy games and was part of the youth side’s notable FA Youth Cup campaign, which included a fifth-round tie against Aston Villa. He has also been around the senior group during pre-season trips, including fixtures in Poland and against Manchester United in Finland.

Manager Phil Parkinson told the BBC that exposing academy players to the first-team environment helps them understand the standards required, and said those who trained with the senior squad had coped well. He pointed to Max Cleworth, Harry Ashfield and Aaron James as examples for younger players seeking opportunities.

The BBC also highlights Wrexham’s academy base at Darland High School in Rossett, north of Wrexham, where improved pitches, changing areas and gym provision are intended to help attract and develop better prospects. The wider significance is that Wrexham’s growth is not only being measured by recruitment, but also by whether the club can build a sustainable route from youth football to the Championship squad.