Wrexham

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Blackburn will look to move further clear of the Championship relegation zone when they welcome a Wrexham side with the play-offs in their sights on New Year's Day (12:30 GMT kick-off).

Rovers are five points clear of the drop zone with a game in hand on 22nd-placed Oxford United and have lost just one of their past seven matches, albeit only one of those was a victory (D5).

Wrexham have won two on the bounce and are four points off the top six, with a chance to move within one point before other teams play later in the day on 1 January.

• This will be the first time Blackburn are hosting Wrexham at Ewood Park in a league fixture since October 1981, a 0-0 draw under Bobby Saxton.

• Wrexham have lost only one of their past 14 league meetings with Blackburn Rovers, though 10 of those have ended level (W3), including the reverse meeting this season in Wales (1-1).

• Blackburn Rovers have only lost one of their past eight league games played on New Year's Day (W4 D3), drawing 1-1 last year at Elland Road against Leeds United, despite going 1-0 behind in the 88th minute.

• Wrexham have failed to win any of their previous eight away games in the EFL played on New Year's Day (D2 L6), since a 2-0 win at Lincoln City in the fourth tier in 1966.

• Wrexham's Josh Windass has scored four goals across his past four EFL appearances on New Year's Day, netting a double for Wigan v Birmingham in 2020 and for Sheffield Wednesday against Hull and Derby in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

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Wrexham's chief executive officer (CEO) Michael Williamson says the Red Dragons are continuing to grow after an "exciting 12 months of progression on and off the pitch".

The Red Dragons clinched a third successive promotion in April to return to the second tier for the first time since the 1981-82 campaign.

After a slow start, Phil Parkinson's men have been more than competitive in the Championship and end 2025 in 11th place in the table.

Following his first full year as CEO, Williamson reflected on another memorable year for the north Wales outfit.

"Looking back on 2025, my first full year at this incredible club, it has been an exciting 12 months of progression on and off the pitch," he wrote in his matchday programme notes for Wrexham's 2-1 victory against Preston North End.

"The standout moment? Promotion to the EFL Championship against Charlton Athletic in April. The cheers from The Turf and beyond as Leyton Orient beat Wycombe set the stage perfectly.

"We knew a win would seal it - and you delivered an atmosphere that was electric from start to finish.

"We always believed back-to-back-to-back promotions were possible, but let's be honest - it's rare for a reason. It takes hard work, dedication and your unwavering support. That day was pure pride for everyone connected to this club."

Having risen from the fifth-tier National League to the Championship in just three seasons, Williamson stated the club has no intention of slowing down.

"Since then (promotion into the Championship), growth hasn't slowed," he added.

"Our team behind the scenes has tripled to nearly 140 staff, and we're building the infrastructure to match our ambitions on the pitch."

Williamson cited the purchase of The Rock for the women's and girls' football sides, the upgrade to the academy facilities at Darland and the commencement of work on the Stok Cae Ras' iconic Kop Stand as further examples of the club's improved future planning.

And the CEO hopes the club can enjoy even more success in the new year.

"Through all of this, one thing never changes: we're a club with our community at its heart and anchored in hometown roots," Williamson added.

"We're proud to share our success with the world, but it starts right here.

"We're ambitious, motivated, and ready to make 2026 even bigger."

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Phil Parkinson highlighted the importance of backing up the victory over Sheffield United as Wrexham beat Preston North End to earn successive league wins for the first time this season.

Goals from Nathan Broadhead and Ollie Rathbone either side of half time - with Alfie Devine netting late on for the Lilywhites - ensured the Red Dragons claimed three points to end 2025 in 11th place, four points adrift of the play-off spots.

Parkinson praised the mentality of his players as they made it 10 games unbeaten at home in the league.

"I'm very pleased. I felt it was important that we backed up the Boxing Day win and performance and we spoke to the lads about that mentality," said the Wrexham boss.

"Tonight was about if we could respond to a really good performance where we had a lot of praise against Sheffield United and have that accountability individually and collectively. I felt we did that really well.

"It was a good performance against a really good side, we know that, they're up there for a reason, but I think over the 90 minutes, we deserved the win."

Kieffer Moore - who teed up Broadhead for Wrexham's opener - was forced off through injury shortly before half time.

But Parkinson has allayed fears over the club's top scorer.

"It doesn't look too serious," he said.

"The big man got a whack against Sheffield United and hopefully it's not too serious.

"I've got to give special mention to Sam Smith as well because I've given him 10 minutes here and 15 minutes there.

"It's hard when you come on for short periods of time because you can't get into your rhythm but he showed what he is all about tonight.

"He ran the channels, he held the ball up, had two great chances to score, the goalkeeper's made a good save to the right and then he's hit the post but I'm pleased for Sam tonight."

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Wrexham midfielder George Thomason hopes his side can kick on after their thrilling win over Sheffield United in the Championship.

The Red Dragons – 13th in the table and five points off the play-offs - host Preston North End on Monday before away games at Blackburn Rovers (Thursday, 1 January) and Derby County (Sunday, 4 January).

"It's a really busy period of the season so if we can find consistent performances like that I can't see why we can't kick on from here," Thomason said after a man of the match performance against Sheffield United in which he played at left-back.

"Things can start to look differently and suddenly at the back end of January you're looking towards the end of the season and where can we finish?

"We've got a top group and I can't see why we can't kick on from here and really push on towards those play-offs."

Wrexham battled back from 3-1 down to beat Sheffield United 5-3 in a pulsating game at the SToK Cae Ras on Friday evening.

It ended a run of five games without a win and followed a 2-1 defeat away to Welsh rivals Swansea City the previous week and Thomason was pleased with the team's response against Sheffield United.

"We all know we've had a few difficult results lately and maybe the performances in general having been a little bit under par," Thomason added.

"So we have to take that on the chin. I thought we showed real good character and resilience and put in a top performance.

"I don't just want it to be a one-off performance. I want it to be a catalyst where we churn out these performances much more often because we're definitely capable of it."

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson hailed the performance of George Thomason as his side came from behind to beat Sheffield United 5-3 in the Championship.

Midfielder Thomason was switched to left-back for Friday's game at the SToK Cae Ras.

Such was his performance and contribution that Parkinson revealed he received a round of applause from his team-mates in the dressing room following the Boxing Day game.

"We always ask for character from the lads and to step up to the plate and boy did he do that," Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

"We played him there in training and he's been really good and he linked brilliantly with Broady [Nathan Broadhead].

"But doing it in training is one thing and producing it in a high-pressure game, in front of the TV cameras against a really good side who are on a good run, is another thing.

"Three assists and winning the penalty – just all round, he played with so much heart and quality."

Wrexham's victory over Sheffield United ended a winless run of five games, with Parkinson's side up to 13th – five points off the play-offs.

The Red Dragons have not lost at home in the league since September and Parkinson added: "It's a very special place to play and the atmosphere was brilliant.

"We'd stuttered at home a little bit for a couple of reasons at the start, which is unlike us really.

"Since the Oxford game, you can sense the belief the fans have got in the players and we need to have that feeling where the opposition are finding it really tough.

"You could see they (Sheffield United) were, because we really got them on the back foot with energy, but quality on the ball as well."

Wrexham will look to overcome a five-match winless run when they host Sheffield United for Boxing Day's show piece fixture (17:30 GMT).

The Red Dragons are stuck in the midtable after losing two of their past five Championship matches (D3) to stall their progress, while the Blades have been slowly making their ascent up the table and could overtake their hosts with a win.

Neither side will have made the start they were hoping for but with a new year fast approaching, they'll want to go into 2026 on a winning streak.

• Wrexham have won both of their home league games against Sheffield United, scoring four goals each time. This is the first such meeting, however, since February 1983 (4-1).

• Sheffield United lost 1-0 at Swansea earlier this season, having won each of their previous five away league games against Welsh sides before this.

• Wrexham have won their last two Football League games on Boxing Day, last winning more consecutively between 1928 and 1932 (5).

• Sheffield United have won just one of their last five Boxing Day league games (D1 L3), with this their first such game away from home since 2014 (2-1 defeat to Port Vale).

• Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder lost three of his first four league games against Phil Parkinson (W1), but has since beaten him four of his five most recent meetings with the Wrexham boss (L1) – this is the first since a 2-0 win for the Blades against Parkinson's Bolton in February 2019.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wrexham midfielder Matty James believes Arthur Okonkwo will not let his mistake against Swansea City on Friday night affect his confidence.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper dropped the ball at the feet of Adam Idah to gift the Swans a stoppage-time winner.

Okonkwo lost his place in the team to Danny Ward at the start of the season, but reclaimed the number one spot after Ward suffered a dislocated elbow against Millwall in August.

"Arthur has been one of our best players over the past few weeks," said James.

"He's kept us in games, he's been fantastic.

"Everyone makes mistakes, as a keeper sometimes they're highlighted.

"You're on your own as a goalkeeper. If a midfielder makes a mistake then other people can pull out of it.

"He's a young lad and he'll definitely learn from these situations.

"It's part of football, mistakes happen. And it's how we bounce back as a team, not just Arthur as an individual."

After droppping to 15th in the Championship Wrexham will look to get back to winning ways against Sheffield United on 26 December (17:30 GMT).

United are three places and two points behind Wrexham in the table.

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Jay Rodriguez will be available for Wrexham's festive fixtures after the veteran striker replaced Elliot Lee in the club's 25-man squad list.

Rodriguez, 36, has not played in 2025-26 having been omitted from the Wrexham squad submitted to the EFL in early September after suffering an ankle injury in pre-season.

But with midfielder Lee sidelined after knee surgery, Wrexham say the fit-again Rodriguez could feature for the first time since April when Phil Parkinson's side host Sheffield United on 26 December.

"Wrexham AFC can confirm that, under the EFL's Regulation 44.9 relating to our 25-man squad list, we have made the following change, effective immediately," the club said.

"With Elliot Lee currently recovering from injury, he has been removed from the squad and Jay Rodriguez added."

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After their added-time defeat away to Welsh rivals Swansea City, BBC Sport asked Wrexham fans if the club's current form is just a stutter, or something more concerning?

The defeat in south Wales means the Dragons are without a win in their last five matches.

Here's what some of the fans have had to say:

Roger: First goal was lucky and when Swansea equalised we went to pieces and showed we are an average bottom half team.

Andy: We're a bit of a Jekyll & Hyde team this season. We mostly play low risk, uninventive football which can be boring and difficult to watch but then play the sort of exciting flowing football that beat Coventry. We need a couple of flair players at Championship level who can be consistent.

Mick: After Swansea there is no need to panic but the main concern is the recent performances. Lacklustre versus Hull and too many unforced errors against an average Swansea side. Defensively we look ok and hardworking without the ball but we don't create enough chances in front of goal. 14th is my prediction for the end of season which would be respectable but not guaranteed if we don't start to improve.

Dougie: I'm very happy how our season is going, we need to learn to walk in the Championship. We have very ambitious owners but the building blocks need to be in place to be ready for the Prem. We will be ok this season.

Graham: Wrexham's loss was a shame, but just a hiccup! I have yet to see a team in any division win every game from the start of the season to the last day. You only have to look at Liverpool of late - peaks and troughs are to be expected now and then. When Wrexham start to get like Wolverhampton, that's the time to start worrying!

Mike: We have a good chance of play-offs but we must buy in January, especially an all attacking midfielder.

Andrew: I'm still optimistic and would suggest we will get a better view after the two home games over Christmas. Anything less than two home wins will reinforce the view that we will languish in the middle to bottom of the table without strengthening the side. Currently, we do not have enough quality in some areas, which has been compounded with lengthy injuries.

Image source, BBC Sport

After waiting 22 years for a league game against Welsh rivals Swansea City, Wrexham lost the Championship encounter in the cruellest of manners.

Phil Parkinson's side have now gone five league games without a win after a late error by goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo gifted Swansea a 2-1 win on Friday night at the Swansea.com Stadium.

How did the game match up to expectations as a derby against the rivals from south Wales, did it get the juices flowing?

The result dropped Wrexham to 15th, seven points off the play-off places ahead of a hectic festive schedule.

Wrexham are at home on 26 December (17:30 GMT) as they host a Sheffield United side who are three places and two points behind them in the table, then host a Preston North End side the following Monday (19:45 GMT) who are in the promotion mix - a side they drew 1-1 with at Deepdale at the beginning of the month.

Is the current form just a stutter, or something more concerning, which players need to step up and which have continued to impress?

Have your say here

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Wrexham midfielder George Dobson says the team is "hurting" after Friday's Championship defeat to Welsh rivals Swansea City, but will rally round goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.

The first league meeting between the two Welsh clubs for 22 years seemed to be heading for a draw, only for Okonkwo to gift a stoppage-time goal to the Swans.

The 24-year-old former Arsenal stopper misjudged a cross with an attempted clearing punch and then compounded the error when the ball was returned into the Wrexham box by dropping it at the feet of Adam Idah, who gleefully prodded home for a 2-1 victory at the Swansea.com Stadium.

"It's a dressing room that's hurting but we know as a group that there are certain things we've got to be better at," Dobson said.

"It's just disappointing for everyone because we started the game really well, and with the incredible backing we had Friday night we really wanted to send them [the fans] home happy.

"It's a tough one to take, obviously the goals were unfortunate and I just feel I've got to mention Arthur, because he has been fantastic, he really has.

"Everyone who has been watching would know how good he's been and everyone makes mistakes in football - there's no one hurting more than him.

"We'll dust him down because that's just how cruel football is.

"He's been incredible and that one unfortunate moment obviously cost us a point in the end."

Dobson echoes Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, who has said the whole club will rally behind Okonkwo as they look to get back to winning ways in the Championship after dropping to 15th.

Wrexham are at home on 26 December (17:30 GMT) as they host a Sheffield United side who are three places and two points behind them in the table.