Paul Mullin shows true colours with actions towards Wrexham star who stole his place

Paul Mullin has been a peripheral figure for Wrexham this season, but made a telling gesture to striker Sam Smith following the club’s promotion to the Championship

Wrexham’s Paul Mullin has been hailed for his noble act following the club’s momentous promotion to the Championship. The striker has seen limited game time under manager Phil Parkinson this term after a back operation last summer, starting only nine matches in League One and bagging just three goals.

He hasn’t graced the pitch for a league game since netting as a substitute in the loss to Stevenage in late January. The January signings of Reading’s Sam Smith and former Burnley ace Jay Rodriguez saw Mullin’s role in the squad diminish.

Last month, Mullin quashed rumours of a rift with Parkinson, dismissing such talk as “nonsense”. Still, it’s quite the dip in returns for the 30-year-old who, over the last three campaigns, racked up a staggering hundred-plus goals for Wrexham.

Parkinson’s plan to utilise Smith as the leading forward has reaped rewards, with the ex-Manchester United prodigy scoring seven times across 17 league outings. Smith’s brace on Saturday proved pivotal as Wrexham clinched their third back-to-back promotion with a 3-0 win against Charlton Athletic at the Racecourse Ground.

Smith was the talk of the town after his sensational acrobatics doubled Wrexham’s lead, followed by a late header to cement their win. Despite being sidelined, Mullin pumped his fists in delight towards the fans after the match.

But it was his move to nudge Smith towards the chanting crowd in SToK Cold Brew Coffee Stand to receive adulation that really showed his class. The gesture was picked up the Fearless in Devotion fan account, which posted on X: “Mullin pushing Smith to receive his applause is [heart emoji]”.

Fellow supporter Rob Mills replied: “Mullin is a true hero for the club. I know there is no room for sentiment going up the leagues, but if anyone has a right to decide when they leave the club, it’s Mullin. Hope he gets a full pre-season and gets another shot because I think he still has more magic in him.”

Hollywood star and Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds didn’t miss his chance to celebrate Mullin after the match. The actor is known to be a massive admirer of Mullin after roping him into a cameo role in the Deadpool and Wolverine film last year.

Talking to Sky Sports, Reynolds recounted the key players and moments of the club’s success, saying: “You go all the way back to the Gresford disaster, to Mickey Thomas, who is a huge and pivotal point of aspiration for this club and a sort of goal to reach that feeling again, because we think of it as a feeling.

“Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, this coaching staff, I think it’s the greatest dressing room in sports, in any category that I think I’ve ever seen before, truly, folks who are all for one and one for all.”

Mullin’s future at the club seems shrouded in doubt, with rumours swirling of a summer departure. After their latest win, though, the player was quick to highlight the collective endeavour.

“I signed here four seasons ago now, and when I did, Rob McElhenney told me the plan to get to the Championship within five years,” said Mullin.

“We’ve done it a year early and the team this year have been unbelievable, it has been some journey and I think look at these fans, they f***ng deserve it, sorry for the language but they deserve it.”

In the meantime, Smith has spoken of the expectations that followed his big-money move in January, commenting on the challenge which he insists he’s more than comfortable facing.

The 27-year-old said: “There was a lot of pressure coming in and being quite a big signing. It’s something I enjoy, pressure is a privilege. When the opportunity came about, I was desperate to get in. I knew at this level I could help any team, I’ve proven that in the past. To get two goals [against Charlton] is just amazing.”

After the match, Smith opened up on what Reynolds said to him following his impressive display, and heaped praise on the humble nature of both he and co-owner Rob McElhenney.

Talking to the BBC, he said: “He said I was a ‘beast’ and that it was a ‘kung fu finish’. I think he asked if I’d been watching him in his films and he just said he was proud and delighted for me.

“My dad met him today, he watches all of his films. He was star struck and he’s 67 years old, so I think he was more delighted with meeting him than watching me score. It’s surreal meeting them [Reynolds and McElhenney], they’re both amazing people. They’re down to earth, nice guys.”

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