Paul Mullin has been left out of the Wrexham squad for eight of the club’s last nine matches in League One, with rumours of a bust-up with Phil Parkinson emerging
Wrexham ace Paul Mullin has put to bed any speculation of a rift with boss Phil Parkinson.
Suggestions of a possible clash between the duo surfaced as Mullin has been notably absent from the squad for eight of Wrexham’s last nine League One games. Since signing in July 2021, Mullin has become a key figure for the Red Dragons, netting an impressive 110 goals and winning back-to-back promotions from the National League and League Two.
The 30-year-old striker has also developed a strong rapport with Wrexham’s star owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Despite this, his league goal tally stands at just three this season following back surgery over the summer.
Since the January transfer window signings of forwards Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez, Mullin has only warmed the bench once. He was missing from the squad yet again for the crucial match against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.
Parkinson’s selection raised eyebrows among the fanbase online before the game, which ended with Wrexham overtaking Wycombe for second place thanks to a late goal by Smith for a 1-0 win. Reacting to the squad announcement on X, the supporter account Fearless in Devotion posted: “Just a reminder that, whilst PP picks the team, we will forever sing the name of @PMullin7 #enoughisenough”
A fan chimed in with a comment saying: “You all must have heard the rumours yourselves. Arguments between Mullin and Parky. Mullin calling RandR (Rob and Ryan) to complain. Anything to it?” Mullin’s response to the post was clear-cut, as he dismissed the allegations with the word “nonsense”.
Rumours about the bust up between Mullin and manager Parkinson cropped up last week when it was highlighted by ex-Wales and Norwich forward Iwan Roberts on the BBC’s Feast of Football podcast. “You get the feeling, and you hear little rumours that there’s been a falling out,” Roberts said.
“I just get the feeling that something must have happened for him not to be included in the match day squad. Whether there’s been a falling out or disagreement, we don’t know. It’s a sad situation.”
When Parkinson was asked about keeping fringe players content before the Wycombe game, he turned it into an occasion to stress the significance of them behaving well, even if they aren’t selected for match day duties. The reminder came as he complimented ex-Wrexham skipper Luke Young for his leadership during their victorious 2022-23 National League campaign.
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His remarks also followed criticism from the father of striker Ollie Palmer, Mullin’s teammate, who was displeased at his son being sidelined.
Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales “Whether you play for two minutes, 92 minutes or don’t make the squad – everybody’s got a part to play in terms of the way they train every day and the way they conduct themselves around the training ground.
“That’s really important to us because unfortunately we can only pick eleven players to start and then another seven on the bench and there’s nothing we can do about it. A couple of years ago I remember closing in on the National League title and Luke Young found himself out of the team – a stalwart of the team.
“I remember the game we left him out and everybody felt ‘Youngy’s out of the team’ and at the time I felt he needed a bit of a breather. Youngy’s a great example because as much as he found himself suddenly out of the team he conducted himself brilliantly and played his part – as he did last year.”
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