Modern day Wrexham are no strangers to signing big names from leagues above, but most of the time their players are at least aware of the new signings.
That wasn’t the case in 2005 though, when a Premier League winner arrived at the Racecourse having to impart his experience in a different way.
Wrexham have had plenty of recent success signing top flight regularsGetty But it’s nothing new having started back in 2005GettyThe Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney-owned side have snapped up numerous familiar names on their path to the Championship, including former top flight regulars Ben Foster, Steven Fletcher and Jay Rodriguez.
Yet their statement signing two decades ago had arguably achieved more than all of them, even if his teammates weren’t aware.
Paul Warhurst arrived in Wales as a free agent and at the age of 36, two years after his last Premier League appearance but with seven clubs in between.
Long before that, in 1995, he won the top flight with Blackburn, but admitted his new teammates at Wrexham might not have been overly impressed.
“Some of the lads won’t have a clue about what I’ve done in my career because they are too young but I’m not the kind of person to go around shouting about it,” he said after joining from Forest Green.
Warhurst had spent the previous campaign in the Conference National, but back in the EFL he was sure he had plenty to offer in his mid-30s, much like Foster and Fletcher long after him.
“In a lot of ways quitting would be the easy thing to do,” the Stockport native said. “I’ve had a long and successful career but how could I give it all up when I’m still enjoying it so much?
“I still get up every morning with a smile on my face and look forward to playing. I still enjoy training but as soon as that changes or my body gives up then I will know it is the right time to finish.
“This is a League One club as far as I’m concerned and I want to play my part in helping them to get back there.
“I really like the place, the facilities are great and the lads have been fine. I watched the opening game of the season against Boston and was really impressed with the display.
Warhurst’s new teammates likely weren’t aware of his Premier League win with Blackburn ten years earlierGetty“I think we’re getting things right on the pitch and hopefully the off-the-field matters will soon be sorted too.”
However, not everyone was so confident. This includes manager Denis Smith, who only had 20 squad places to play with as per administration rules.
Warhurst took up the final spot, and as Smith admitted: “It was a massive call and it is still playing on my mind.
“There’s always going to be competition for players but Paul needed no persuading in signing. He was only ever interested in us.
“Perhaps financially he could have got a better offer elsewhere but nobody else would have looked after him like we will.
“He’s fitted in very well and he strikes me as a good professional who has looked after himself. He also brings a wealth of experience with him.
Warhurst arrived without any ego and got straight to workGetty“But with the size of squad we’ve got, someone with Paul’s versatility is very useful.”
Warhurst managed 12 appearances and scored a goal in his half season at the Racecourse.
The Dragons managed to stay in the second tier, but dropped down in 2008, staying out of the Football League until 2023 under Reynolds and McElhenney’s leadership.
Much changed between those years, but Wrexham’s philosophy of adding experience to a young squad remains strong – even if the junior players aren’t always aware of it.
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