Wrexham AFC, the oldest football club in Wales, is on the brink of returning to the second tier of English football for the first time since 1982. With only two matches remaining in the League One season, the path to promotion is clear for Phil Parkinson`s side. A significant helping hand came on Easter Monday thanks to Charlton Athletic. Following Wycombe Wanderers dropping points, the situation for the Red Dragons is straightforward: win their final two games, and they will secure a place in the Championship.
The promotion race turned decisively in Wrexham`s favor during the 44th round of fixtures. Wrexham secured a tense victory away at Blackpool. James McClean and Ollie Rathbone scored just after the hour mark, but a late goal from Rob Apter made for a nervous conclusion at Bloomfield Road. Meanwhile, in South London, Charlton provided crucial assistance to Wrexham`s cause by beating Wycombe 4-0 at the Valley, pushing them out of second place.
However, this doesn`t necessarily conclude the drama. Charlton`s victory also kept their own hopes for automatic promotion alive. Their next fixture? A trip to the Racecourse Ground to face Wrexham. By the time this match kicks off on April 26th, Wrexham will know the outcome of the earlier game between Leyton Orient and Wycombe, which could influence what they need from their own match. The finish line is in sight for the Welsh club, but the question remains: can they hold on?
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 |
The top two teams automatically qualify for promotion to the Championship. Teams finishing third to sixth will compete in the playoffs, culminating in the final at Wembley on May 25th.
Wrexham`s Remaining Fixtures
- April 26: Charlton (Home)
- May 3: Lincoln (Away)
What Wrexham Needs for Automatic Promotion
Wrexham can secure automatic promotion to the Championship with a win at home against Charlton on Saturday, provided they receive a favourable result from the Leyton Orient vs. Wycombe Wanderers match played earlier the same day. If Leyton Orient avoids defeat against Wycombe (win or draw), then a Wrexham win will guarantee promotion, creating a minimum four-point lead over Wycombe that would be insurmountable with only one game left in the season.
Has Any Team Risen This Quickly?
If Wrexham manages to hold off Wycombe and the other challengers, it would mark their third promotion in as many seasons. In 2022-23, they returned to the English Football League after a 15-year absence, followed immediately by a comfortable second-place promotion from League Two. While several English clubs have achieved three consecutive promotions – and some like Truro City and Shaw Lane even four – none have ascended through the higher levels of the English football pyramid at such speed. FC United of Manchester, for example, also achieved three promotions after their 2005 founding but reached the seventh tier (Northern Premier League Premier Division). Wrexham`s path involves increasingly professional leagues. The 2022-23 National League was largely professional, and Leagues Two and One are fully professional. Naturally, Wrexham`s considerable financial resources, backed by owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have been a key factor in their success at each level. This remarkable ascent raises a significant question about their potential next step.
Can Wrexham Survive in the Championship?
Let`s set aside the notion of another immediate promotion to the Premier League for a moment. While consecutive promotions from League One to the top flight have happened (Ipswich Town achieved it recently), it`s typically accomplished by established `big` clubs. Wrexham has cultivated a large global fanbase since the takeover, but the Championship is an expensive league. In League Two, Wrexham`s wage bill reportedly exceeded $14 million annually, a figure that has certainly increased with the signing of players with top-level experience, like those mentioned (Jay Rodriguez and Matty James in the original text). Even with their wealth, a promoted side might find themselves spending only a third of what the richest Championship clubs do. Wrexham director Humphrey Ker has even suggested the salary budget might need to quadruple to be competitive after promotion. This level of investment appears necessary, especially considering Wrexham`s underlying performance statistics.
Based on expected goals (xG), Parkinson`s team has scored 56 goals from 48.1 xG created and conceded 32 goals from facing shots worth 42.4 xG. While they sit second in the League One table, their non-penalty xG difference places them ninth in the league. These metrics don`t statistically indicate a team overwhelmingly dominant or clearly ready for straightforward Championship survival. However, Wrexham`s history since 2020 demonstrates a club capable of rising to challenges. Should they achieve promotion from League One, it`s expected that the increased revenue generated in the Championship will be heavily reinvested to help the club establish itself and compete at the higher level.
