Max Cleworth on ‘incredible five years’ under Phil Parkinson

Max Cleworth is in a better position than anybody to reflect on Wrexham’s progress over the past five years under Phil Parkinson.

Parkinson was appointed Wrexham manager in the summer of 2021 with the club in the National League where they had been since 2008.

Cleworth, 23, made his league debut in Parkinson’s first game and with Paul Mullin recently leaving it means the defender is the sole survivor of that team still at the club.

“Obviously a lot of things have changed over the five years but they’ve been thoroughly enjoyable,” Cleworth told BBC Sport Wales.

“I’ve loved working with the gaffer and his staff over the five years – we’ve obviously had a lot of success, which helps.

“It’s been an incredible five years and it seems to have gone rapid. But I’ve loved it.”

Cleworth was an integral part of the sides which secured three successive promotions and saw Wrexham rise from the National League to the Championship.

The centre-half acknowledges the impact of the club’s Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac on and off the pitch.

“Obviously since the owners came in, I think the whole town’s grown, which is just as important as the club growing,” Cleworth added.

“The fact that the community has felt the impact is massive.

“And with the Kop stand being built and Colliers Park and us having a bit more of a base there now is going to be massive.

“I think that’s going to hopefully have a big impact as well on performance.

“It’s certainly only going in one direction.”