Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson on first Championship fixtures

Leader Live

16 hours ago

Wrexham finished runners-up in League One last term to secure an historic third successive promotion and place in the second tier for the first time in 43 years.
The new campaign kicks-off with a clash against Southampton at St Marys Stadium on Saturday August 9 and the match has been selected for live television coverage by Sky Sports with a 12.30pm kick-off.
Parkinson, who celebrates his four year anniversary as Wrexham manager today, began his playing career with the Saints who were relegated from the Premier League last term and the 57-year-old is excited about the contest.
"I was an apprentice there many years ago and I think it is a great start for us," said Parkinson.
"You can't really ask for anymore - an ex-Premier League team - and these are the games we have worked so hard to get in the Championship.
"There is an attractive look to the fixture with the story of us coming up and three successive promotions, and them coming down after such a disappointing season.
"They are the games you want, testing yourself against that kind of opposition.
"There is a lot of preparation to have between now and then but when the fixtures came out, we were all very pleased with it.
"We are back in the club and even though it's early in pre-season, you can sense the excitement with everybody."
After facing Southampton, Wrexham entertain fellow-Championship outfit Hull City in a Carabao Cup first round tie before returning to league action with back-to-back home games against West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday.
The Racecourse pitch has been renovated over the summer and Parkinson is looking forward to a series of matches at the Reds' north Wales stadium.
"You can't argue with a home tie," he said about the league cup ties against Hull, one of six clubs he managed before his appointment at Wrexham in July 2021.
"There's a run of home games at the start of the season so it will be good for the lads to get used to our new pitch."