Pride over Wrexham progress in four year stint for Parkinson
His time at the helm has been littered with success, with Parkinson making history after leading Wrexham to three successive promotions and a place in the Championship next season for the first time in 43 years.
Previously manager of Colchester United, Hull City, Charlton Athletic, Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland, Parkinson has clocked up more than 1,000 games in the dug-out and he is loving his time in north Wales.
But although he has taken Wrexham from the National League to the second tier, he is far from finished.
"It is incredible how quick it has gone," said Parkinson.
"It was been an incredible experience and I am looking forward to making some more memories this season.
"Everybody has got to be very proud of the achievements and back-to-back-to-back promotions is something that can never be taken away from us.
"It might take a few years for people to look back and realise what an achievement that has been.
"A lot of work has gone in at this football club - sometimes, I think people from the outside don't realise that or realise how hard everybody has worked to get the club where it is today.
"We have now got an amazing platform to go and compete in the Championship.
"Someone told me that we are the only team in the Championship this season that has never been in the top-flight and in a way, that shows where we have come from and the clubs we are competing with,
"But my job, and everybody else's now, is to work hard to build a squad as strong as we can to make us competitive next season."
Wrexham reported back for pre-season training yesterday ahead of the new Championship campaign which kicks-off with a clash against Southampton - relegated from the Premier League - at the St Marys Stadium on Saturday August 9, with the game kicking off at 12.30pm and being shown live on Sky Sports,
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There have already been 10 managerial changes in the second tier since the end of last season and Parkinson - the longest serving manager in the division - takes nothing for granted.
"It gets harder and harder as a football manager," he added.
"You only have to look at that stat to indicate the spotlight which is on managers.
"I have always said, you need good people working with you and the strength of the squad is so important any season."
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