The 2025-2026 season will go down as one of the most remarkable in the history of Wrexham A.F.C. After three straight promotions, many expected Phil Parkinson’s side to struggle in the Championship. Instead, Wrexham spent most of the campaign proving they belonged at that level and, for long stretches, looked capable of reaching the Premier League play-offs.
Highest-Ever League Finish
In the end, the Reds narrowly missed out on the top six, finishing seventh and only two points short of the play-off places. Even so, it represented the club’s highest-ever league finish and another huge step in one of football’s most unlikely modern success stories.
Clever recruitment saw summer additions such as Josh Windass, Lewis O’Brien and Callum Doyle adding Championship-level quality, while the club’s core identity remained intact. Parkinson kept the team organised, direct when needed and incredibly difficult to beat at the STōK Cae Ras (Championship home record: W10 D7 L6).
Josh Windass emerged as the standout attacking player and finished as Wrexham’s top scorer with 17 goals in all competitions. His movement, experience and knack for big moments made him vital throughout the campaign. Kieffer Moore also chipped in with 13 goals, while Sam Smith added 10 after arriving to strengthen the forward line.
The club’s leading assist provider was Issa Kaboré from Burkina Faso. His pace and attacking energy from wide areas caused problems for opposition defences all season. He finished with eight assists, narrowly ahead of Lewis O’Brien. Kaboré’s ability to turn defence into attack quickly gave Wrexham another dimension against stronger Championship opposition.
Josh Windass – Player of the Season
As for the club’s top-rated player, supporters voted Josh Windass as Player of the Season after a superb first year in red. Beyond the goals, his creativity and leadership helped carry the team through difficult spells in the winter months.
There were several major highpoints during the season. League victories against Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Millwall and the stupendous wins against Ipswich (again) and, especially, Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup gave fans memories that will never fade. The dramatic late-season push for the play-offs also created a feeling around the city that something extraordinary might happen again. Even on the final day, supporters believed the dream was still alive.
The atmosphere at the Racecourse Ground remained one of the stories of the season. The support was relentless. Away ends across the country sold out within minutes whenever Wrexham visited, while home crowds generated the kind of intensity normally associated with top-flight football. The continuing construction of the new Kop stand became symbolic of a club still growing at remarkable speed.
Looking ahead to next season, optimism will remain high. The Championship is brutally competitive, but Wrexham no longer look like outsiders. With another strong transfer window and greater squad depth, a genuine push for the play-offs seems realistic. Whether the fairy tale can stretch all the way to the Premier League remains to be seen, but after the last few years, few people are willing to doubt Wrexham anymore.
Images courtesy of Wrexham AFC website. The feature image shows Matty James in action against Middlesbrough on 2nd May 2026.
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