Wrexham hasn`t competed in the second tier of English football since 1982, but promotion is now within touching distance for Wales` oldest club as the League One season nears its conclusion. With only two matches remaining, the path for Phil Parkinson`s team is clear: winning both their final games would secure their place in the second tier.
The promotion race saw a significant shift in round 44. Wrexham secured a tense victory away at Blackpool. While James McClean and Ollie Rathbone scored after an hour, a late goal from Rob Apter created a nervy finish. Simultaneously in south London, Charlton Athletic boosted Wrexham`s prospects by defeating Wycombe 4-0 at the Valley.
However, the story might not be over yet. Charlton`s win also kept their own automatic promotion hopes alive. Next for The Addicks is a visit to Wrexham`s Racecourse Ground. By then, Wrexham will know if Leyton Orient helped their cause by potentially taking points off Wycombe, who play earlier on April 26. The finish line is in sight for the Welsh side, but can they maintain their position?
League One Automatic Promotion Race
| Team | Pld. | W | D | L | GD | Pts. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | 42 | 30 | 9 | 3 | 45 | 99 |
| 2 | Wrexham | 44 | 25 | 11 | 8 | 28 | 86 |
| 3 | Wycombe | 44 | 24 | 12 | 8 | 28 | 84 |
| 4 | Charlton | 44 | 24 | 10 | 10 | 25 | 82 |
| 5 | Stockport | 44 | 23 | 12 | 9 | 27 | 81 |
| 6 | Leyton Orient | 44 | 22 | 6 | 16 | 20 | 72 |
The top two teams will gain automatic promotion to the Championship, while teams finishing from third to sixth will compete in the playoffs, culminating in a final at Wembley on May 25.
Wrexham`s Remaining Fixtures
- April 26: Charlton (h)
- May 3: Lincoln (a)
Automatic Promotion Scenarios for Wrexham
Wrexham can secure automatic promotion to the Championship with a victory on Saturday against Charlton. However, they will also need assistance from Leyton Orient, who must either beat or draw against Wycombe Wanderers. If these results occur, Wrexham would hold at least a four-point advantage over Wycombe, making it impossible for Wycombe to catch them with only one game left.
Could Wrexham Set a Rapid Promotion Record?
If Wrexham successfully fend off Wycombe and the other competitors, they would achieve three consecutive promotions. While other English clubs have risen through three tiers sequentially (and some even four), no team has ascended so quickly through the higher levels of the English football pyramid.
For example, FC United of Manchester achieved three promotions after their formation in 2005, but this brought them to the Northern Premier League Premier Division, which is level seven of the pyramid.
In Wrexham`s case, the competition has been at a higher standard as they aim for the second tier. The National League (2022-23) was largely professional, and all teams in Leagues Two and One are fully professional.
It`s important to acknowledge that Wrexham, under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have leveraged significant financial resources to assert dominance at every level they`ve competed in thus far. This brings up a crucial question regarding a potential promotion.
Can Wrexham Thrive in the Championship?
Let`s momentarily put aside the idea of them rising yet another level to the Premier League. While back-to-back promotions to the top flight have happened (like Ipswich Town last season), teams achieving this are typically established powerhouses. Wrexham has gained a massive global following since its takeover, but the Championship is notoriously costly.
In League Two, Wrexham`s annual wage bill exceeded $14 million, a figure that has undoubtedly increased with signings like former Premier League players. Even with this increase, a well-funded promoted team might still spend only about a third of what the Championship`s top clubs disburse. Wrexham director Humphrey Ker has suggested the salary expenditure might need to quadruple to compete after promotion.
Such significant investment may be essential because Wrexham`s underlying performance statistics don`t strongly indicate they are ready to face teams like Southampton and Leicester.
Phil Parkinson`s team has scored 56 goals from 48.1 expected goals (xG) and conceded 32 from chances worth 42.4 xG. Despite their second-place position in the League One table, Wrexham ranks only ninth when clubs are ordered by non-penalty xG difference.
These statistics don`t necessarily bode well for Wrexham`s ability to secure promotion in their final games, let alone survive in the Championship if they get there. However, the club`s journey since 2020 has shown a remarkable capacity to rise to challenges. Should they achieve promotion from League One, anticipate the increased revenue from the Championship to be heavily invested in helping Wrexham remain in the division.
