Wrexham AFC, the oldest professional football club in Wales, stands on the brink of returning to the second tier of English football for the first time since 1982. As the League One season nears its conclusion with only two matches remaining, the path to promotion is straightforward for Phil Parkinson`s squad. Thanks in part to results elsewhere, particularly Charlton Athletic`s recent performance, the equation is simple: win their final two games, and the Red Dragons will secure automatic promotion to the Championship.
The race for automatic promotion saw a significant shift in the 44th round of matches. Wrexham secured a tense victory away at Blackpool, with goals from James McClean and Ollie Rathbone proving just enough despite a late scare. Concurrently, in London, Charlton Athletic delivered a major boost to Wrexham`s cause by defeating promotion rivals Wycombe Wanderers 4-0 at the Valley. This result saw Wycombe drop crucial points.
However, the drama is far from over. Wrexham`s next challenge is hosting Charlton at the Racecourse Ground. The outcome of this match, coupled with Leyton Orient`s earlier fixture against Wycombe, could potentially decide Wrexham`s fate before the final matchday. The finish line is in sight, but can Wrexham maintain their composure and secure the necessary results?
League One Automatic Promotion Race Standings
| Pos. | 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 |
In League One, the top two teams gain automatic promotion to the Championship. Teams finishing from third to sixth place compete in the playoffs, consisting of two-legged semifinals followed by the final at Wembley Stadium on May 25.
Wrexham`s Remaining League One Fixtures
- April 26: Charlton (Home)
- May 3: Lincoln (Away)
Promotion Scenario for Wrexham
Wrexham can secure automatic promotion to the Championship as early as their next match against Charlton, provided results go their way. If Wrexham defeat Charlton AND Leyton Orient either beat or draw against Wycombe Wanderers in their respective fixture, Wrexham will be guaranteed a top-two finish. This scenario would create at least a four-point lead over Wycombe with only one game remaining, an insurmountable gap.
Wrexham`s Rapid Ascent: A Historical Perspective
Should Wrexham achieve promotion, it would mark their third consecutive promotion, a remarkable feat. They returned to the English Football League in 2022-23 after a 15-year absence and immediately followed this by finishing second in League Two the following season. While other clubs like Truro City and Shaw Lane have achieved multiple consecutive promotions (even four in a row), their rises occurred through lower levels of the English football pyramid.
Wrexham`s potential rise stands out because it is happening through increasingly higher and fully professional tiers – the National League (largely professional), League Two, and League One. Backed by significant financial investment from owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham have been able to build competitive squads at each level.
Surviving in the Championship: The Next Challenge?
Even with promotion within reach, the question of competing in the Championship looms large. While back-to-back promotions to the Premier League have been achieved (like Ipswich Town last season), the Championship is a highly competitive and expensive league. Wrexham`s reported wage bill in League Two was already substantial (over $14 million), and this would need to increase significantly to compete in the second tier, potentially quadrupling according to some estimates within the club.
Furthermore, Wrexham`s underlying statistics in League One suggest they have potentially outperformed their expected goals (xG) figures. While they sit second, their non-penalty xG difference places them lower in the league table (ninth). This metric can sometimes indicate challenges when moving to a higher standard where opponents are more clinical and defensively sound.
Despite these potential hurdles, the story of Wrexham under their current ownership has been one of consistently meeting challenges head-on. If promotion to the Championship is secured, expect the increased revenue and continued investment to be directed towards building a squad capable of establishing the club at that level.
