Wrexham to return stronger next season - Parkinson

Phil Parkinson says Wrexham will return stronger in the 2026-27 season after narrowly missing out on a place in the Championship play-offs.

Wrexham's 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough combined with Hull City's 2-1 victory over Norwich City ensured the Red Dragons ended the campaign - their first in the second tier in 43 years - in seventh.

Despite missing out on a 2025-26 top six spot, Wrexham secured their highest-ever league finish.

They were also the best-performing Welsh side in the English Football League for the first time in 25 years.

"In terms of what the lads have given us as a group, I don't think we could have had much more," Parkinson said.

"I think this squad together, as it stands, with a pre-season together will be even stronger next year.

"Of course we'll always look to try and add to that to give ourselves an even better chance, but we'll have a break now and we'll come back and go again."

During the course of the final day of the regular season, a combination of positive and negative updates emerged from Hull's fixture with Norwich and Derby County's 2-1 loss to Sheffield United.

But with the Tigers ahead against the Canaries in the second half, Wrexham went for broke in the final stages against Kim Hellberg's Boro.

The visitors went ahead through Tommy Conway's goal in the fourth minute at Stok Cae Ras.

But Josh Windass levelled with a sublime free-kick before Sam Smith's header gave the hosts the lead - only for David Strelec to equalise for Boro.

The 2-2 draw meant Wrexham finished two points behind sixth-placed Hull.

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Phil Parkinson:'There is so much to be positive about'

Following the club's rapid rise from the National League, Parkinson feels his side have laid plenty of foundations to ensure they remain strong for the future.

"The supporters have been brilliant with me and the staff ever since I've been here," added the manager.

"We've all always got a determination to keep momentum going the right way.

"I think for our supporters, there's so much to be positive about for the football club going forward. The new (Kop) stand, the academy, things are only just starting.

"We've moved forward really quickly as a team, but there's so much work which is going ahead and going to make this club a really strong one for many years to come."