Tag: League Two

FA Cup replays have been scrapped, and lower-league teams are furious

The move was branded “disgraceful” by at least one club

The Football Association has announced that from next season on, there will no longer be FA Cup replays.

In the competition’s current format, any matches that end tied after 90 minutes result in another match being played at the home of the visiting team. Replays currently take place up until the fifth round — aka the round of 16.

But that will all change next season, a move the FA said was designed to help ease fixture congestion.

While the move may be welcomed by Premier League sides taking part in multiple competitions, it was viewed very differently by lower-division teams who often count on replays as a vital source of extra revenue.

English Football League (EFL) chief executive Trevor Birch immediately hit out at the move, saying he was blindsided by the decision and that his clubs would seek compensation.

“This represents another traditional revenue stream for EFL clubs at a time when the financial gap between the biggest clubs and those further down the pyramid is growing bigger than ever,” said Birch, who represents teams in the Championship, League One and League Two.

“We will now be discussing the implications for EFL clubs and seeking appropriate compensation arrangements.”

Other entities were even less diplomatic. Take League Two side Tranmere Rovers, for example.

“Tranmere Rovers condemn the disgraceful decision taken by The FA and the Premier League to change the format of the FA Cup, including the scrapping of replays,” the club said in a statement.

“The decision, and the way it was taken, demonstrate a total lack of respect for the football pyramid and its fans. Football belongs to all of us and decisions should not be taken in back room deals in which only the very wealthiest clubs are allowed to participate.”

Andy Holt, chairman of League Two club Accrington Stanley, added: “Why would the hapless FA scrap early-round replays that can be lucrative to minnows?”

In addition to the end of replays, the FA also announced that all rounds of the FA Cup will now be played on weekends, and that the fourth round, fifth round, and the quarterfinals all will be exclusive of Premier League fixtures for the first time.

[lawrence-related id=55077,54441,49438]

McClean says Ireland coach disrespected him after Wrexham move

The Wrexham star said his international coach “couldn’t get off the phone quick enough”

James McClean has hit out at former Ireland manager Stephen Kenny, saying his “disrespectful” response to his move to Wrexham led directly to his international retirement.

McClean signed with Wrexham prior to the current season, joining the League Two outfit after a season in which he was named Wigan Athletic’s player of the year.

There were some eyebrows raised after McClean’s decision, as he dropped down two divisions after a standout campaign in the Championship.

At the time, McClean was an active Ireland international but as he revealed in an interview with the Irish Examiner, the reaction from Kenny led to his international retirement in October.

“He couldn’t get off the phone quick enough,” McClean said of Kenny. “That spoke of what he thought about the move. I don’t think he was on board. Ultimately, I would say that was a major factor in my decision to step away from Ireland. Sometimes when you make a decision, you are made to walk the plank. I felt that if I don’t walk away now, I may never get the opportunity to say goodbye on my terms.

“I thought it was very disrespectful. I had offers to stay in the Championship but at my age I wanted to do something that would excite and be a challenge. Wrexham had a project and it’s a successful one. Nobody forced me to make the move but I’m glad I did and there’s a sense of justification.”

The 34-year-old has been a fixture for Wrexham this season, as the Red Dragons clinched promotion to League One with a win over Forest Green Rovers over the weekend.

The Irish federation confirmed in November that it would not be renewing Kenny’s contract after the team failed to qualify for Euro 2024.

With McClean’s former Ireland teammate John O’Shea now coaching the team, he did leave open the possibility of an international return.

“It’s not something I’ll be campaigning for but if the call ever comes to play for your country, it’s a hard one to turn down,” McClean said.

[lawrence-related id=60749,60224,24768]

Wrexham takes big step towards promotion with win over Mansfield Town

Wrexham’s promotion hopes are looking up as League Two comes down the stretch

Wrexham has passed its latest big test in League Two.

The Red Dragons defeated Mansfield Town — who kicked the match off atop the division standings — 2-0 on Friday, maintaining the club’s hold on one of the three automatic promotion places.

Paul Mullin delivered a brace, with a goal in the 32nd minute followed up by a powerful 67th-minute penalty.

The victory keeps Wrexham three points clear of fourth-placed MK Dons, who thrashed Walsall 5-0 in a simultaneous game.

The run-in within League Two will be intense. Wrexham’s win over Mansfield Town, coupled with Stockport County’s victory over Forest Green Rovers, means that the top three teams are separated by just one point. Stockport (74 points) took over the top spot after Friday’s matches, with Mansfield and Wrexham both on 73.

“It was a hard-earned win, a gritty and determined performance. We restricted a very good Mansfield team to very little,” Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said in quotes published by the BBC.

“We didn’t get too down when we lost to Tranmere and we’re not going to get too high after today. Now it’s about preparation for what will be a terrific game at Doncaster on Tuesday.”

Watch Wrexham vs. Mansfield highlights


[lawrence-related id=41192,37384,33436]

Wrexham vs. Mansfield Town: How to watch, live stream

It’s first place against third in a massive League Two matchup

Wrexham could go level on points with first-place Mansfield Town on Friday in a crucial League Two matchup at Racecourse Ground.

Wrexham, last season’s National League champion, is chasing its second straight promotion and enters the game in third place, the final automatic promotion position from League Two.

Mansfield currently tops the table, sitting three points above Wrexham and two points ahead of second-place Stockport.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Wrexham vs. Mansfield Town LIVE” link=”https://go.web.plus.espn.com/Y9KaQm”]

These two sides met twice in the fall, with the first meeting a 0-0 draw in the league before Wrexham defeated the Stags 2-1 in the FA Cup.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Wrexham vs. Mansfield Town

  • When: Friday, March 29
  • Where: Racecourse Ground (Wrexham)
  • Time: 11 a.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: ESPN+ (WATCH NOW)

[lawrence-related id=51917,33436,27831]

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Pro Soccer Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Wrexham roster for 2023-24 season

The full Wrexham roster for the 2023-24 season, as the club makes its return to League Two

Wrexham is back in the big time.

After a 15-year exile, Wrexham returned to the English Football League for the 2023-24 season by winning the National League in 2022-23.

Now in League Two, the Welsh side is looking to continue its rise up the English football pyramid.

Wrexham, of course, has gained global notoriety after actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased the team in 2021 and made it the protagonist of the popular docuseries “Welcome to Wrexham.”

Below is a list of the roster for Wrexham in 2023-24.

Wrexham signs ex-Premier League striker Fletcher as Mullin remains out

Fletcher brings a ton of Premier League experience to the League Two side

Wrexham has signed longtime Premier League striker Steven Fletcher on a free transfer.

Fletcher joins after scoring 10 goals in 39 games last season with Dundee United in his native Scotland.

The 36-year-old has made nearly 700 career appearances, representing Burnley, Wolves and Sunderland across several Premier League seasons. He has also earned 39 caps for Scotland.

“Hopefully I can bring a lot of experience. I’m 36, I’m still fit and still raring to go,” Fletcher told Wrexham’s website.

“One of the biggest selling points was the ambition of the club, and if I can help with that then great.

“I don’t think you can not see what has been happening at Wrexham — it’s been a great experience for the fans, players and owners so hopefully we can continue that.”

Fletcher’s words echo those of James McClean, his former teammate at Sunderland and Stoke, who signed with Wrexham last month and said that the club’s growing profile after actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the team was a major selling point.

Following the club’s promotion last season, Wrexham is off to an uneven start to life in League Two. The club sits 13th out of 24 teams and has both the most goals scored (15) and conceded (14) in the league.

Wrexham has managed that high goal total despite the continued absence of star forward Paul Mullin, who suffered a punctured lung against Manchester United during the club’s preseason tour of the United States.

[lawrence-related id=24768,23977,23620]

Wrexham signed a player too good for League Two, because they’re Wrexham

The Wrexham effect is a real

Typically, when someone is named their club’s player of the season, the next logical step would not be a transfer to a team two divisions down the ladder.

But when that team is Wrexham, anything is possible.

On Friday, Wrexham announced the signing of veteran midfielder James McClean — who, as mentioned, is coming off a season in which he was named Wigan Athletic’s player of the year.

McClean, 34, is also still an active international for Republic of Ireland, having earned his 100th cap over the summer.

After impressing in the Championship (it should be noted that Wigan was relegated last year), McClean is moving to League Two with Wrexham after the club won promotion from the National League last term.

Wrexham, of course, has gained global notoriety after actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased the team in 2021 and made it the protagonist of the popular docuseries “Welcome to Wrexham.”

In an interview with Wrexham’s YouTube channel, McClean said the club’s growing profile was a major factor in his move.

“With everything surrounding this club at the moment, it’s a project that’s very exciting,” the longtime Premier League player said.

“The hype and excitement is clearly more now that the club’s back in the Football League. And I’m sure there’s ambitions here to go even further than this league. I’m a very passionate person, someone who’s very driven. And I want that as well. I want to be part of that and that’s obviously one of the main reasons for coming here.”

He added: “It’s a great story. … There’s just so much positivity that surrounds the club at the moment and it’s obviously a great thing. Like I said, the ambition is not to just stop here, but to keep going. And that’s obviously an exciting thing to be a part of.”

[lawrence-related id=23977,23620,18866]

McElhenney and Reynolds beg Bale to un-retire and join Wrexham

Could Bale be heading from the golf course to League Two?

After seeing Wrexham promoted to League Two for next season, co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are now hoping to sweet talk none other than Gareth Bale into coming out of retirement to join the Welsh club.

Reynolds and McElhenney definitely have the right idea for a meeting venue, aiming to persuade Bale during a round of golf.

Bale retired after the 2022 World Cup but at age 33, he’s shown that he still has plenty to give when healthy.

That was displayed perhaps most dramatically when Bale scored an equalizer in the dying seconds of last year’s MLS Cup, helping LAFC to a championship in the final club game of his career.

Though Bale seems to be enjoying a retirement that has seen him golf more than ever, Wrexham‘s celebrity owners are hoping that a little bit of cajoling on the golf course, combined with Bale’s Welsh heritage, could get him to change his mind.

For his part, Bale seems open to the idea of a round of golf, if not necessarily the comeback part just yet.

If the chance to play for a TV-star club in his home country isn’t enticing enough, Reynolds offered to sweeten the deal on Twitter, saying he “will shave a professional-grade golf course into Rob’s back if you’ll give Wrexham a season.”

Now that’s pretty enticing.

Wrexham have had some success in this department in the recent past, as former England goalkeeper Ben Foster came out of retirement late in the season and ended up making a vital penalty save for the club on its way to promotion.

Wrexham clinched promotion from the National League last weekend with a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood.

[lawrence-related id=18040,17984,17874]

How’s your first touch, Mark Hughes?

The Bradford City coach has still got it

Mark Hughes has still got it.

Hughes was a superstar forward for Manchester United during his playing days, scoring 163 goals in 473 games across two spells.

In addition to his time at Old Trafford, Hughes also played for Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Barcelona among others.

After his playing days, Hughes coached a number of teams including Blackburn, Manchester City, Stoke, and Southampton. He is currently in charge of League Two side Bradford City, and he’s still got quite the first touch.

Hughes showed that in Bradford’s EFL Trophy match against Sheffield Wednesday, picking the ball out of the sky before controlling it with his second touch, and flicking it to a Wednesday player with his third.

Unlike Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini, who went with an understated reaction after his excellent first touch on the sidelines recently, Hughes made the most of his moment in the sun by raising his arms in celebration.

Watch Hughes take a brilliant first touch

[lawrence-related id=6691,6664,6129]