​Max Cleworth is arguably the best person to reflect on Wrexham’s progress over the last five years under Phil Parkinson. Parkinson took charge of the club in the summer of 2021, at a time when Wrexham were competing in the National League, a division they had been part of since 2008. Cleworth, now 23, made his league debut in Parkinson’s first match in charge, and with Paul Mullin recently departing, the defender stands as the sole survivor of that initial squad still at the club.
“Obviously a lot has changed over the five years, but it’s 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 by in a flash. I’ve loved every moment.”
Cleworth played a central role in the teams that secured three consecutive promotions, guiding Wrexham from the National League up to the Championship. The centre-half also recognizes the influence of the club’s Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, on and off the pitch. “Since the owners arrived, I think the whole town has grown, which is just as important as the club growing,” he said. “The fact that the community has felt the impact is massive.” He added that the development around the club—such as the construction of the Kop Stand and improvements at Colliers Park—will be substantial for the club’s future. “I think that’s going to have a big impact on performance as well. It’s certainly all pointing in one direction.”
Wrexham’s progress has been a source of optimism for supporters as the club continues to push forward. Cleworth, who progressed through Wrexham’s academy, logged 45 appearances in all competitions last season and has surpassed 170 appearances for the club in total. In the previous campaign, Wrexham finished seventh in the Championship, narrowly missing out on the play-offs.
“I think I improved as the team did, and I had a decent season personally,” Cleworth reflected. “I was disappointed not to play the last four games, but that’s football, and the squad is so good here that players come in and out.” He pointed out that, as a team, they grew into the campaign with a slightly unsettled start as new arrivals integrated and the group gelled. “So, overall it was extremely positive. We’re still a bit gutted to miss the play-offs on the final day, but that happens in football, and now we’re looking ahead to what lies ahead this season.”
Cleworth believes the experiences the group gained during a largely new lineup last year will only strengthen them and provide additional motivation for the season ahead. “The experiences we’ve had as a group—because it was almost an entirely new team last year—bring us closer together and add more motivation for the lads. Hopefully we can do something special this year.”
Looking ahead, Wrexham’s pre-season schedule includes a trip to Poland, where they will face Wisla Krakow in a friendly on Saturday. Cleworth’s enduring bond with the club and his clear-eyed view of its evolution underscore a belief that Wrexham’s upward trajectory will continue as they prepare for the new campaign.