Phil Parkinson is just a game away from an incredible milestone – his 1,000th match as a manager. It all began more than two decades ago on March 1, 2003, when his Colchester United side cruised to a 4-1 win over Port Vale at Layer Road. Fast forward to today, and Parkinson is one of the most seasoned managers in English soccer, having worked his way through various levels of the game with steady success. Now, he’s taking the helm at Wrexham in League One, and it’s clear that he’s not stopping anytime soon.

And speaking of Wrexham, the club’s meteoric rise is largely thanks to the dynamic duo of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, whose investment has transformed the club both on and off the pitch. When Parkinson made the jump to non-league soccer, it was a big challenge – especially since he had never managed in that league before. But, as always, he took it in stride, learning the ropes and pushing the team to new heights. So, as Wrexham continues to soar, you have to wonder – just how far can this team go with Parkinson leading the way?

Leading Wrexham to historic success

Looking back at his first job, Parkinson credits that experience with setting the foundation for his long and successful career. “I can remember my first game like it was yesterday and every game you go into, you want to win as much as your first one,” he said. He further reflected on the importance of getting things right from the outset. “I took my first job, Colchester United, which was a team down the lower reaches of League One. Being successful in your first job, it gives you a great chance.”

Acknowledging the support he has received over the years, he added, “Of course, I’ve had great support from my family and a lot of great people I’ve worked with. To still be in the game all these years later, I’m very proud of that.” Parkinson’s current stint with Wrexham has been his most rewarding so far, both in terms of success and personal fulfillment. Since joining the club in the summer of 2021, he has led Wrexham to back-to-back promotions from the National League and League Two.

Grit, growth, and glory: how Parkinson mastered the game

Parkinson’s overall managerial career spans stints at Hull City, Charlton Athletic, Sunderland, Bradford City, and Bolton Wanderers. His longest spell came at Bradford, where he managed 274 games, guiding the club to promotion in 2013 and a League Cup final. Despite his notable achievements at other clubs, he believes his time at Wrexham stands out as the most rewarding.

Under his guidance, Wrexham has maintained a win percentage of 61.5% from 195 games, with Parkinson’s overall career win rate standing at 41.7%. Heading into his milestone 1,000th game, he has 417 wins, 274 draws, and 308 defeats to his name, figures that illustrate his consistency and resilience as a manager.

As Parkinson gears up for this significant moment in his career, he remains focused on the future. “The journey and the story has been incredible. To be part of this and just seeing the transformation of the club and the area as well, that’s unique,” he said. Confident about Wrexham’s continued progress, he concluded, “Everything is still moving forward in the right direction. I’ve really enjoyed it. It was a big challenge when I came in because I’d never managed in the National League before. You’ve got to learn the levels, it takes time. But I’ve enjoyed it every single day I come into work.” Well, that’s the spirit!