Wrexham

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Ben Whiteman says Wrexham's ambition to reach the Premier League was a key driver in his decision to join the club from Preston North End.

Ahead of the current campaign, the central midfielder signed a three-year contract with the Red Dragons, who hold the option to extend Whiteman's deal by a further 12 months.

The 30-year-old also revealed Ben Sheaf and Ollie Rathbone played a role in his decision to move to the Racecourse Ground.

"I think it was the ambition of the football club wanting to get to the Premier League, that was something that I wanted to do in my career," he said of his switch to north Wales.

"From the outside looking in, everything's done properly, really.

"If you look at the football club, I spoke to a couple of the boys that I know here in Ollie Rathbone and Sheafo [Ben Sheaf], they told me what an exciting project it is.

"But I think the ambition was the main goal really."

The midfielder has featured in each of Wrexham's five matches across all competitions so far this season.

Before Wrexham's contest at Swansea City on Saturday night (20:00 BST), manager Phil Parkinson admitted he was "really pleased" with Whiteman's performances so far.

Despite an encouraging start to life with Wrexham, Whiteman - who made more than 200 appearances for Preston - admits it was a difficult decision to leave Deepdale in the summer.

"I've got great memories from that football club, I captained it and it was a huge honour for me," he said.

"I've still got loads of mates there now. They've had a really disappointing start, but I'm sure they'll turn it around.

"They've got some great people at the football club and hopefully they can do that.

"But now I'm a Wrexham player and my full focus is on getting us to the Premier League."

Whiteman left the Lilywhites on a sour note - with North End boss Paul Heckingbottom questioning the midfielder's conduct just two days before he secured a transfer to Wrexham.

"Ben knew there was a line I didn't want him to cross and unfortunately he has," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire in early August.

Despite his somewhat bitter exit from the Lancashire side, Whiteman stated he had no control over what others said about his situation.

"It's football and I can't control what people say," added Whiteman.

"There's a few people that knew what happened and that's all I can say."

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Wrexham assistant manager Steve Parkin described Callum Doyle as an "all-round package" following the defender's impressive start to the campaign.

The former Manchester City defender has excelled since forcing his way into the side midway through last season.

According to WhoScored.com, the centre-back ended the 3-0 victory over Millwall on Wednesday night having made one dribble, one tackle and three interceptions (more than any other Wrexham player) in addition to winning three aerial duels and two free-kicks.

Speaking prior to the contest with the Lions at The Den, Parkin had lauded the talents of the 22-year-old defender.

"He is very effective going forwards, even as a centre-back," Parkin said.

"He's got the ability to score, he's got the ability to put great crosses in and he's effective in and around the box in his combination play.

"I think there's still work to be done on his defending and I think there's still work that he wants to do defensively to get better, which is great. "

Phil Parkinson's assistant also noted the Manchester-born youngster's temperament.

"He's a good lad around the place, he can be a bit feisty and a bit moody at times but we don't mind that at all, " added Parkin.

"But in general he never shies away from having the football, he never shies away from a challenge.

"He's big and he's physical, which is an attribute of his as well, so he's a good all-round package."

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Elliot Lee said he has had the "time of his life" as he bid farewell to Wrexham.

Lee, 31, has left the Championship club by mutual consent after scoring 41 goals in 152 appearances during his four years at the Racecourse.

The midfielder featured in Wrexham's three successive promotions that saw them rise from the National League to the Championship.

"It meant so much to me to pull that shirt on with my teammates every week and give everything for this club," Lee posted on X.

"I absolutely loved it. Me and my family will be supporters for life.

"Together we made history, broke records and made some unforgettable memories along the way.

"I've had the time of my life."

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Former captain Ben Tozer says Phil Parkinson has answered his critics after Wrexham responded to their early-season questions with a "perfect away performance" at Millwall.

Wrexham clinched their first Championship win of the season in style with an emphatic 3-0 victory over beaten play-off semi-finalists Millwall.

Parkinson's side were winless and without a clean sheet in four matches across all competitions ahead of their trip to The Den.

Ex-Wales striker Iwan Roberts had suggested Parkinson was "probably under pressure for the first time" since he was appointed Wrexham boss in 2021.

But Tozer, who made 136 appearances and won back-to-back promotions with Wrexham, says the win at Millwall was the "perfect" response.

"Parkinson has been questioned after their start," Tozer told BBC Radio Wales.

"But he will have known there was a response coming from the team and he made the right changes - bringing back [Max] Cleworth and [Josh] Windass - to get that response.

"Parkinson has often been questioned, but he always comes up with the answers.

"That was pretty much the perfect away performance at a really tough place to play that saw the home crowd turn on their team pretty early.

"Three goals, a clean sheet and no shots on target faced.

"They controlled the game, even at three-nil, and the players coming off the bench kept the intensity and energy levels high."

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Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson now knows the makeup of his squad until January following the closure of the summer transfer window.

Deadline day deals were struck to sign Sheffield United's Callum O'Hare and Burnley's Joe Worrall, taking the Red Dragons up to seven summer signings.

They joined goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, wing-backs Danny Imray, Issa Kabore and Jacques Ekomie, and midfielder Ben Whiteman through the door at the Racecourse Ground.

Wrexham also offloaded several players, most notably Conor Coady and Elliott Lee, who saw their contracts mutually terminated, while Arthur Okonkwo and Ryan Hardie departed on loan.

With the transfer window now closed, we want to know your thoughts and feelings as Wrexham look to build on their first win of the campaign at Millwall.

Are you satisfied with the quality of players brought into the club? Have Wrexham been left with enough depth for a taxing Championship campaign?

Which of the new additions excites you the most? Is there a position Wrexham failed to address over the summer?

Let us know what you think by clicking here.

A delighted Phil Parkinson discusses Wrexham's 3-0 win at Millwall and their transfer deadline day business.

Kieffer Moore believes Wrexham's 3-0 victory over Millwall was "worlds apart" from their 2-1 loss to Birmingham City five days earlier.

Moore netted his side's second goal in the triumph over the Lions at The Den, as Phil Parkinson's men registered their first Championship win of the campaign on the fourth attempt.

The Wales international lauded the way his side reacted to their underwhelming display in their defeat by Birmingham last time out.

"Very satisfying. I thought to a man, we were incredible," said Moore. "Everyone coming off the bench, incredible as well.

"It was a real team performance. We dug in deep, we worked hard together. I think in moments, we oozed quality.

"It was worlds apart from Birmingham today. We're delighted. We wanted a reaction, and we got a reaction."

Wrexham were left bitterly disappointed not to win either of their opening two league games of the season against Cardiff City and Watford.

Their loss to Birmingham then meant they had gained just two of the first nine points on offer this season, although they have risen to 11th in the table courtesy of their victory at Millwall.

And frontman Moore hopes the Red Dragons can now kick on after gaining a valuable three points in the English capital.

"We never lacked confidence. We've put in some good displays; I think we just lacked certain moments of quality maybe, and decisions," the 34-year-old added.

"The start of the season can be like that for everyone.

"I think you can look across the league, it's really spread out at the moment and it will be like that until maybe November.

"But we'll take huge momentum from this win and we're delighted."

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Assistant boss Steve Parkin says Wrexham are anticipating a "feisty affair" when they take on Millwall at The Den tonight (19:45 BST).

The Lions won their opening two games of the league campaign but were thrashed 5-1 by Southampton last time out.

Wrexham - who are yet to win in four matches across all competitions this season - secured their first league victory of the 2025-26 campaign at Millwall.

But after Alex Neil's men reached the play-offs last term, Parkin is fully aware that his side have a tough task ahead of them.

"We're expecting what we always expect from Millwall, a feisty affair, a well-organised team, a hard-working team," he said.

"Everybody's well aware of what they achieved last season and they went really close.

"It's a game that we will have to be bang at it to come out with a result.

"The key thing is that we need to make sure that we're in the right frame of mind and be ready for the battle at Millwall, which it always is."

Josh Windass, Wrexham's top scorer last season, made his long-awaited return to action from a calf injury as a substitute in the 2-1 loss to Birmingham City on Friday.

Left wing-back Liberato Cacace and central midfielder Ben Sheaf remain sidelined, although Parkin confirmed the latter is edging closer to a return to action.

New signing Joe Worrall, who joined the club on a permanent deal from Burnley on transfer deadline day, is eligible to feature against Millwall.

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Wrexham youngster Alex Moore has rejoined Cymru Premier side Colwyn Bay on loan until January.

The 20-year-old midfielder joined the Seasiders on loan in the second half of the 2025-26 campaign and made 12 appearances for Mike Wilde's side.

Moore - who featured for Wrexham against Wisla Krakow and Manchester United in pre-season - has now sealed a second temporary switch to The Blue Turtle Arena.

A Wrexham statement read: "All at Wrexham AFC would like to wish Moore and the Bay the best of luck."

Moore is eligible to make his second debut for Bay in their contest with Penybont on Saturday (12:30 BST).