In the finale of Season 5 of Welcome to Wrexham, it has been divulged how Phil Parkinson’s pre-match pep talk before the big Championship game against Middlesbrough encouraged his players to take the challenge head-on. The manager’s pre-match speech ahead of one of the most important league games in the club’s history mirrored the mentality that propelled Wrexham close to the Championship play-offs.
Titled We Go Again, the Season 5 finale of Welcome to Wrexham takes us inside the club as they enter the final day of the Championship with a win over Middlesbrough giving them a chance at making it to the play-offs.
Although results from other teams could have an effect too, Phil Parkinson made it clear before the start of the game that his team’s focus would have to be on just one thing.
Parkinson told his players to ignore everything else
With supporters monitoring score updates from Hull City and Derby County all day long, Parkinson did not want to see his players thinking about anything but their task at hand.
Prior to taking the field at the Racecourse, he told them:
“I think it’s important, boys, that we block out the crowd in terms of what’s going on elsewhere, and we just focus on what we’ve got to do today.”
Instead of letting the event overwhelm them, Parkinson made sure to remind his team how they deserved such an opportunity after months of hard work.
“We’ve worked incredibly hard to get here.”
He also encouraged his players to enjoy the moment rather than be burdened by it.
“Let’s go and f***ing relish it, boys.”
It was one of those reminders which encapsulated Wrexham’s story since Parkinson took charge of the club. No matter the situation and no matter the pressure, Parkinson was always concerned about performance and not about consequences.
One line captured what promotion would have meant
During an earlier part of the show, Parkinson recalled the meaning of reaching the Championship play-offs for the club and the town.
“If we were to do it… it’d be incredible.”
He continued:
“I’m sure the whole town and the whole place would erupt.”
This emphasised how important the game was. Not only would it be an opportunity for promotion; it would also be one more incredible chapter of Wrexham’s recent history and another chance for the city to enjoy a collective success.
While Wrexham was unable to claim the desired outcome having drawn 2-2 with Middlesbrough when Hull City got the necessary result in another game, the words spoken by Parkinson before the match gained even more meaning.
His team tried to score up until the last minute, provided themselves enough opportunities to win the game, and were applauded by the fans who appreciated their efforts.
Though the result of the match meant that the hopes of Wrexham to earn their fourth consecutive promotion have been dashed, the words used by Parkinson before the match can well symbolise the mentality of the club.
Instead of concentrating on the importance of the match, he asked his players to live up to the moment. Despite the failure, this is what helped the campaign end with belief still alive and the last episode receive the name “We Go Again”.
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