Wrexham AFC’s remarkable rise through the English football leagues has been nothing short of historic. However, with success comes tough decisions, something that club director Shaun Harvey recently reminded everyone of. Speaking honestly, Harvey said that even important players who helped the team succeed may become victims of their own success. He clearly showed that football can be cruel. He urged Wrexham to keep changing and improving if the team wanted to stay on the right path.

Under Phil Parkinson as manager, Wrexham got promoted from the National League. They also came in second place in League Two last season. This earned them a spot in League One. This success is largely due to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney backing Parkinson in the transfer market. High-profile players were brought in. Key players like Ben Tozer and Aaron Hayden signed long contracts. They were important in moving Wrexham from the National League to League One. But now, even these beloved stars have been released after their contracts expired.

Ben Tozer, Aaron Hayden, and other key players were fundamental in Wrexham’s meteoric rise, but Harvey acknowledges that part of the process of success is knowing when to let players go. “In reality, the planning for this season started three years ago,” Harvey said, while continuing, “We always knew that players like Ben Tozer and Aaron Hayden would be out of contract this summer. If the club was going to be successful, we would have to review whether we needed to replace them going forward, and that was the decision that was made.”

According to Harvey, this release of the players does not mirror their talent. In fact, they were more than sufficient to play a role in the current squad. Indeed, as Harvey explained, “Our ambition and the journey we’re on were moving forward as well. We are two divisions higher than when they came in, which is credit to them. We will be forever thankful to Ben, Aaron, and that group of players.”

Wrexham moving forward with fresh faces

Interestingly, such observations made by Harvey came when Wrexham was already reaping the results of their latest transfers. The squad now holds the new signings George Dobson, Dan Scarr, and Sebastian Revan. Wrexham sits in the second spot in League One, with 20 points from their initial 10 matches. So far, this great opening to the season shows that the policy of letting go of old players in pursuit of younger ones suits them in delivering their results.

“It is a perverse world where you deliver everything that was asked of you and had success, but that is the thing that counts against you,” Harvey said, summarizing the harsh realities of football. Despite their contributions, players step aside for others who are better for the upper divisions. Harvey also reflected on this summer’s transfer window, which some have called Wrexham’s “best ever.” While he refrained from making that judgment himself, he acknowledged that “players had to leave to enable us to strengthen, to keep going forward and continually improve.”

Harvey’s statement sends a clear message to current Wrexham players: No one is safe if they’re not deemed fit for the club’s future ambitions. Wrexham may be grateful for the contributions of past players, but sentimentality has no place in their plans to continue climbing the football pyramid. This dream, however, is built on how well you play, as the Harvey comments showed recently. Even though the club plans for the future, its long-term members must get ready for new people.

As Wrexham’s journey continues, to keep improving, the team must change, even if it’s difficult. What’s your take on Shaun Harvey stressing changes in the squad? Share in the comments below.