‘Crest of a wave': Wrexham's Australian goals
That laser focus on taking the massive next step will be evident on a pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand, with McClean declaring the players are 'not here for a holiday' ahead of matches against Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix.
Owned since early 2021 by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham – the world's third-oldest football club – has enjoyed a meteoric rise from the ranks of English non-league football.
Three successive promotions has them set to compete in the second-tier English Championship from next month, and should they maintain their uninterrupted run of moving up divisions, the Red Dragons will be competing in the 2026-27 Premier League. Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney (left) and Ryan Reynolds celebrate the club's promotion to the English Championship.Credit: Supplied
'When you're riding the crest of a wave like you are, you just go along with it,' Irish winger McClean said on Tuesday in Melbourne, where Wrexham starts its tour with a game against the Victory on Friday night at Marvel Stadium.
'Where the club has gone in the last few years, it's been unimaginable. I'm guessing even for the owners and everyone involved, it's probably exceeded their wildest expectations.
'I'm loving every second of it, and I'm sure the rest of the lads are as well. Long may the success continue.'
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, who has been in charge of the team since July 2021, admitted the club's recent rise had been remarkable.
'Sometimes you have to pinch yourself about how quick the progression has been,' Parkinson said.
'We're really looking forward to the challenge (of playing in the English Championship). Everyone's got to raise their game in all areas of the club, but this is what football's all about.
'We're going into a real 'big boys' league this year. The Championship's one of the most competitive leagues not just in European football but in world football.' Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson (left) and his Melbourne Victory counterpart Arthur Diles will go head-to-head on Friday night. Jason Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia
Victory coach Arthur Diles said Friday's match would 'showcase' his club on the world stage.
'It' gives us an opportunity to grow our brand and the football market of Australia internationally,' Diles said.
'Wrexham's a hot ticket at the moment in world football. What they've achieved in the last three years with three consecutive promotions … they're a club doing great things on and off the pitch.
'There are definitely things we can learn from them, and there are also definitely things they can learn from us.
'It's a great night for us.'
Wrexham's tour also includes a game against Sydney FC next Tuesday night at Allianz Stadium and a trip to Wellington to meet the Phoenix on Saturday week at Sky Stadium.
Wrexham squad: Arthur Okonkwo, Callum Burton, Danny Ward, Max Cleworth, Aaron James, Dan Scarr, Eoghan O'Connell, Max Purvis, Lewis Brunt, Tom O'Connor, Ryan Longman, Ryan Barnett, Matty James, George Evans, George Dobson, Andy Cannon, Alex Moore, Ollie Rathbone, Elliot Lee, Harry Ashfield, James McClean (c), Jacob Mendy, Seb Revan, Ryan Hardie, Sam Smith, Callum Edwards, Mo Faal, Ollie Palmer, Jack Marriott, Jay Rodriguez
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