Paul Mullin shows class as Wrexham star’s controversial boots go on sale

Wrexham’s Paul Mullin sparked outrage when he wore a pair of custom-made boots featuring an offensive slogan and he now plans to sell them to raise money for charity

Wrexham legend Paul Mullin is flogging a pair of controversial boots he was banned from wearing to help save an autism charity from shutting down. The 30-year-old striker has become a hero amongst Red Dragons supporters after spearheading their remarkable rise from the National League to the Championship.

Mullin is currently on loan at League One side Wigan Athletic this season following his fall from grace with boss Phil Parkinson towards the end of the last campaign. However, he has demonstrated his continued dedication to supporting worthy causes in Wrexham by putting up for auction some notorious boots that created uproar when they were unveiled three years ago.

The Liverpool-born frontman ignited outrage back in October 2022 when he posted a snap on Instagram of the bespoke footwear bearing the message “F*** the Tories”. Wrexham, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, swiftly moved to stop him from donning the Nike Mercurials before their National League clash against Halifax.

The Welsh club confirmed the images posted by Mullin were taken at the Racecourse Ground, but without the club’s awareness or consent, emphasising they maintained a “neutral position” on politics. The Wrexham parliamentary seat was held at the time by Conservative MP Sarah Atherton, who praised the club for their rapid response to Mullin’s personal protest against her party.

In their statement, Wrexham said: “The club can confirm that the boots revealed by Paul Mullin on social media will not be worn tonight, or in any other Wrexham AFC fixture, and that the photographs taken at the Racecourse Ground were done so without our knowledge or approval.

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“For the record, the pictures wouldn’t have been permitted to be taken, had we known, and the issue will be dealt with privately by the club. The club has adopted a neutral position on many matters with a political dimension and intends to continue to do so going forward.

“The club also acknowledge that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, whether that be employees or supporters but would also highlight that an individual view cannot be fairly attributed, as the view of everyone or the club itself.

“There is no more prominent example of this than the fact that the MP for the constituency within which the club is found, is a Conservative seat.

“After this unwelcome distraction, the club hopes the focus remains on our objectives of gaining promotion on the field and creating community benefit off it, in which Paul Mullin will continue to play a significant part.”

Despite the telling-off, Mullin kept the boots and has now given them away to be sold at auction by Wrexham-based charity Your Space, which works to help young people with autism. Revealing the sale to his followers on Instagram, he said: “So a few months ago I said they would be up for auction and here they are.”

The boots are up for grabs on eBay, with the highest bid currently at £2,000. All proceeds will go to the charity that Mullin supports, which recently launched an appeal for urgent financial help.

The cause is dear to the striker’s heart as his son Albi has autism. In addition to the anti-Conservative slogan, the boots also bear Albi’s name on the heels, a tribute to Merseyside singer Jamie Webster and a sketch of the Liverpool skyline.

YourSpace has been a pillar of support for families in Wrexham for over 13 years, providing services to around 300 families, with another 60 on its waiting list. Despite the demand, the charity warns it may have to shut down due to insufficient funding and has set a goal to raise £150,000 to stay afloat.

A representative for the charity said: “All donations are a lifeline to the charity and the families Your Space support. Wrexham legend Paul Mullin is a proud patron and always keen to promote the good work of the charity. He will be auctioning off two pairs of custom boots to support this emergency fundraiser.

“The loss of this service would be devastating to the families and children they support, many of whom rely on Your Space for much needed respite, but also gain a sense of understanding and belonging that is provided through their network of support and training.”

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