Wrexham Managers – Past & Present

Dean Keates returned for his second spell as Wrexham manager in October 2019 following Bryan Hughes’ departure. A former Wrexham player who made over 200 appearances for the club, Keates was brought back to stabilise the team and guide them through the National League campaign. His second tenure lasted until the arrival of Phil Parkinson in July 2021, during which time Wrexham continued their efforts to escape non-league football. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted his time in charge, with the 2019-20 season curtailed and the 2020-21 campaign played largely behind closed doors.

Brian Flynn returned to Wrexham in September 2019 as caretaker manager following Bryan Hughes’ departure, a brief stint that lasted just 10 days. This was Flynn’s third association with the club’s management, having previously served as the club’s longest-tenured and most successful manager from 1989 to 2001, and then as assistant manager to Bryan Hughes in early 2019.

Bryan Hughes, a former Wrexham player who began his career under Brian Flynn, was appointed manager in February 2019. His appointment came during a tumultuous period for the club, and he immediately brought back Flynn as his assistant manager, reuniting a partnership that had flourished during Hughes’ playing days. Despite an impressive start that saw four consecutive wins, Hughes struggled to maintain momentum and was relieved of his duties in September 2019 after just seven months in charge.

Graham Barrow’s appointment proved brief and unsuccessful. Brought in following Sam Ricketts’ departure to Shrewsbury Town, Barrow managed just nine weeks before being dismissed, winning only three of his 13 matches in charge. His tenure is remembered as one of the more forgettable periods in recent Wrexham history, leading to discontent among supporters and ultimately paving the way for Bryan Hughes’ arrival.

Sam Ricketts arrived at Wrexham as a highly-rated young manager but departed after just seven months to take the manager’s position at League One side Shrewsbury Town. During his brief tenure, Ricketts showed promise and implemented an attractive style of play, but his sudden departure to pursue a Football League opportunity left Wrexham searching for stability once again. His defection would later be viewed by fans as a significant setback in the club’s promotion quest.

Andrew Davies served as caretaker manager for just six weeks following Carl Darlington’s interim spell. A former Wrexham defender, Davies guided the team through the final matches of the 2017-18 season before Sam Ricketts was appointed as permanent manager. His brief stewardship helped maintain stability during a transitional period.

Carl Darlington’s first caretaker spell lasted merely four days in March 2018, bridging the gap between Dean Keates’ departure and Andrew Davies’ appointment. Darlington, a club stalwart who has served in various capacities, stepped in temporarily to ensure continuity during this brief interregnum.

Dean Keates’ first managerial appointment at Wrexham came in October 2016 and lasted 17 months. A club legend as a player, Keates worked to rebuild the squad and instil a winning mentality, but ultimately fell short of securing promotion from the National League. Despite some encouraging performances, results proved inconsistent, and he departed in March 2018 with the club seeking fresh impetus for their promotion campaign.

Gary Mills endured a challenging 18-month tenure at Wrexham, struggling to replicate the success he had achieved elsewhere in non-league football. Despite bringing experience from his time at clubs including Gateshead and York City, Mills found the Wrexham job particularly difficult, with the team languishing in mid-table obscurity for much of his time in charge. He was dismissed in October 2016 with the club showing little sign of mounting a serious promotion challenge.

Darlington’s second caretaker stint lasted nearly a month in spring 2015, filling the void between Kevin Wilkin’s dismissal and Gary Mills’ appointment. He guided the team through seven matches as the club sought a permanent successor.

Kevin Wilkin’s appointment generated optimism after he arrived with a reputation forged at Conference Premier side Nuneaton Town. However, his tenure proved deeply disappointing, with Wrexham failing to challenge for promotion and instead enduring a mid-table campaign. Wilkin struggled to win over supporters, and his rigid tactical approach drew criticism. He was dismissed in March 2015 after just over a year in charge, with the team showing little progress toward returning to the Football League.

Billy Barr served as caretaker manager for less than a month in early 2014, stepping in following Andy Morrell’s departure. A long-serving member of Wrexham’s backroom staff, Barr maintained stability while the club conducted their search for Morrell’s permanent replacement.

Andy Morrell, one of Wrexham’s greatest modern goalscorers, transitioned from player to manager in September 2011. During his two-and-a-half-year tenure, Morrell came agonisingly close to leading Wrexham back to the Football League, suffering play-off heartbreak on multiple occasions. His attacking philosophy and deep understanding of the club made him popular with supporters, but ultimately the elusive promotion proved beyond reach. Morrell left in February 2014 with Wrexham still seeking their return to the EFL.

Dean Saunders arrived at Wrexham as one of Welsh football’s most celebrated strikers, having enjoyed a glittering playing career with clubs including Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Derby County. His three years in charge saw Wrexham stabilise in the Conference Premier after their traumatic relegation, but promotion proved elusive. Saunders implemented professional structures and raised standards, but departed in September 2011 to take the manager’s role at Doncaster Rovers, leaving Wrexham still searching for their Football League return.

Brian Little’s tenure will forever be marked by relegation. Appointed in November 2007, Little was unable to save Wrexham from dropping out of the Football League for the first time in their history, as they finished bottom of League Two in 2007-08. This devastating blow ended Wrexham’s 87-year continuous membership of the Football League. Little remained for the start of the 2008-09 Conference Premier campaign but was dismissed after just four matches, having presided over the club’s darkest period.

Brian Carey took charge during a period of financial turmoil at Wrexham, inheriting a club in administration and fighting for survival both on and off the pitch. Despite his best efforts, Carey could not prevent the slide toward relegation. His 10-month tenure was defined by off-field chaos, player departures, and the looming threat of Football League expulsion. He was dismissed in November 2007 with the club rooted to the bottom of League Two.

Denis Smith enjoyed over five years in charge of Wrexham, making him one of the club’s longer-serving modern managers. His tenure began in October 2001 following Brian Flynn’s departure and encompassed periods of both stability and struggle. Smith guided Wrexham through several mid-table League Two campaigns but was unable to mount a serious promotion challenge. Financial difficulties increasingly hampered his efforts, and he departed in January 2007 as the club entered administration and faced an uncertain future.

Joey Jones, a Wrexham and Liverpool legend who won the European Cup with the Reds in 1977, served as caretaker manager for just two weeks in autumn 2001. He stepped in following Brian Flynn’s departure to guide the team while the club sought Flynn’s permanent replacement, ultimately making way for Denis Smith.

Brian Flynn remains Wrexham’s longest-serving and most successful manager in the modern era. Initially appointed as caretaker following Dixie McNeil’s resignation in October 1989, Flynn was confirmed as permanent manager on November 24th, 1989, and would go on to enjoy a remarkable 12-year tenure that placed him as the third longest-serving manager in British football, behind only Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Dario Gradi at Crewe Alexandra.

Flynn’s reign produced some of Wrexham’s finest moments. He masterminded the famous FA Cup giant-killing of reigning champions Arsenal in January 1992, when Wrexham’s 2-1 third-round victory shocked English football. Flynn also led the club to the FA Cup quarter-finals in 1997 and secured promotion to Division Two (now League One) in 1993.

Under Flynn, Wrexham won the Welsh Cup three times, earning entry to the European Cup Winners’ Cup, and claimed the FAW Premier Cup on three occasions. He assembled talented squads featuring players like legendary striker Gary Bennett, cult hero Karl Connolly, and midfielders including Peter Ward, Jonathan Cross, and Dave Brammer. Flynn also made over 100 Football League appearances for Wrexham as a player, having initially arrived as player-manager in 1989.

A Welsh international who earned 66 caps, Flynn’s playing career included spells at Burnley, Leeds United, Cardiff City, and Doncaster Rovers. After leaving Wrexham in 2001, he went on to manage Swansea City and Wales Under-21s, where he played a crucial role in developing talents like Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, and Wayne Hennessey. He later won promotion with Doncaster Rovers as League One champions in 2013. Flynn returned to Wrexham briefly as assistant manager to Bryan Hughes in February 2019, bringing his wealth of experience back to the Racecourse, and served a 10-day caretaker spell in September 2019.

Dixie McNeil, a Wrexham legend as both player and manager, led the club for four and a half years during the mid-to-late 1980s. McNeil had previously enjoyed a prolific playing career at the Racecourse, scoring over 200 goals for the club across two spells. As manager, he maintained Wrexham’s Fourth Division status but struggled to mount a promotion challenge. He resigned on October 31st, 1989, prior to the match against Torquay United, stating in the club programme: “I resigned as I felt it was in the best interest of the club. Something had to be done because the club was going down the divisions.” Brian Flynn succeeded him as caretaker the following day.

George Showell served as caretaker manager for just over five weeks in spring 1985, stepping in temporarily following Bobby Roberts’ departure. His brief caretaker spell helped maintain stability at the club during this interim phase before Dixie McNeil’s appointment as permanent manager.

Bobby Roberts managed Wrexham for nearly three years in the early-to-mid 1980s, guiding the club through their Fourth Division campaigns. His tenure bridged the gap between Dixie McNeil’s brief caretaker spell in 1982 and his eventual permanent appointment in 1985. Roberts departed in March 1985, making way for George Showell’s caretaker spell.

Dixie McNeil served as caretaker manager for less than a month in May-June 1982, stepping in temporarily following Mel Sutton’s departure. This brief caretaker spell came three years before McNeil would return to take the permanent manager’s position in 1985. A Wrexham legend as a player, McNeil had scored over 200 goals for the club across two spells and was a respected figure at the Racecourse.

Mel Sutton managed Wrexham for just over a year in the early 1980s, presiding over the club during their time in the Fourth Division. His tenure coincided with financial difficulties and limited resources, restricting his ability to strengthen the squad significantly. Sutton departed in May 1982, making way for Dixie McNeil’s brief caretaker spell.

Arfon Griffiths enjoyed a four-year tenure as Wrexham manager from 1977 to 1981. A former Wales international who had played for Wrexham with distinction, Griffiths took charge following John Neal’s departure and led the club to the Third Division championship in 1977-78, securing promotion to the Second Division for the first time in Wrexham’s history. Despite his efforts, Wrexham were unable to maintain their Second Division status and eventually returned to the lower divisions. Griffiths resigned in May 1981 after an internal disagreement with the board over budget cuts.

John Neal managed Wrexham for nearly nine years from September 1968 to May 1977, establishing himself as one of the club’s most influential and successful managers. Neal’s attacking philosophy and tactical acumen transformed Wrexham into a competitive force. He laid the groundwork for promotion to the Second Division, which was achieved in the 1977-78 season under his successor Arfon Griffiths, though Neal had built the squad that secured the Third Division championship. He later went on to enjoy success at Chelsea, where he managed from 1981 to 1985.

Alvan Williams managed Wrexham for 17 months in the late 1960s, overseeing the club’s Fourth Division campaigns. His tenure was relatively brief and undistinguished, making way for John Neal’s arrival in September 1968, which would mark the beginning of one of the club’s most successful periods.

Cliff Lloyd returned for his sixth and final spell as Wrexham manager in spring 1967, serving just one month in a caretaker capacity. This brief tenure bridged the gap between Jack Rowley’s departure and Alvan Williams’ appointment, demonstrating Lloyd’s continued value to the club as a steady hand during transitional periods.

Jack Rowley, the former Manchester United legend and England international, managed Wrexham for just over a year from January 1966 to March 1967. Rowley brought his wealth of experience from Old Trafford, where he had been a prolific goalscorer, but his spell at Wrexham was relatively brief and made little lasting impact before Cliff Lloyd took over in a caretaker capacity.

Cliff Lloyd’s fifth spell as Wrexham manager lasted just over two months in late 1965, serving in a caretaker role before Jack Rowley’s appointment. Lloyd’s familiarity with the club and steady leadership made him the natural choice during this brief transitional period.

Billy Morris returned for a second spell as Wrexham manager in March 1965, lasting just over seven months. This followed his earlier brief tenure in 1960-61, making Morris one of the few managers to serve two separate appointments at the Racecourse. His second spell ended in October 1965 when Cliff Lloyd took over.

Ken Barnes managed Wrexham for nearly four years from May 1961 to March 1965, guiding the club through the lower divisions of English football. His tenure provided stability during the early 1960s, though Wrexham remained in the Fourth Division throughout his time in charge.

Cliff Lloyd’s fourth spell as Wrexham manager lasted less than a month in spring 1961, serving as caretaker between Billy Morris’ first spell and Ken Barnes’ appointment. Lloyd’s willingness to step in during transitional periods demonstrated his loyalty and commitment to the club.

Billy Morris’ first spell as Wrexham manager lasted just over nine months from June 1960 to April 1961. His tenure was relatively brief before Cliff Lloyd took over in a caretaker capacity, but Morris would return for a second spell four years later in 1965.

Cliff Lloyd’s third spell as Wrexham manager lasted just under eight months in 1959-60, serving in a caretaker capacity. This was the third of what would become six separate spells in charge at the Racecourse, establishing Lloyd as one of the club’s most reliable figures during times of managerial transition.

John Love managed Wrexham for nearly two years in the late 1950s, guiding the club through Division Three North and later Division Four campaigns during a transitional period in English football’s restructuring. His tenure bridged the gap between Cliff Lloyd’s second spell and his eventual return for a third spell in 1959.

Cliff Lloyd’s second spell and main managerial tenure at Wrexham lasted nearly three years in the mid-1950s, overseeing the club during the final seasons of Division Three North before the Football League’s reorganisation in 1958. This established Lloyd as a significant figure in the club’s history. He guided Wrexham from a lowly position to respectability, taking them from the bottom of the league to 18th, then 14th and 12th place finishes before resigning at the end of the 1956-57 season.

Peter Jackson served as Wrexham manager for over four years in the early 1950s, guiding the club through their Division Three North campaigns in the post-war period. His tenure provided stability during a challenging era for lower-division football, overseeing the club through the reconstruction years following World War II.

Cliff Lloyd’s first spell as Wrexham manager came in 1950 as caretaker following Les McDowall’s departure to Manchester City. This brief caretaker period, lasting approximately six months, was the first of what would become six separate spells in charge at the Racecourse. Lloyd stepped in to maintain stability before Peter Jackson’s appointment as permanent manager in November 1950.

Les McDowall enjoyed approximately a year-long spell at Wrexham before departing to take the manager’s position at Manchester City, where he would later achieve great success, winning the FA Cup in 1956 and leading City to consecutive FA Cup finals in 1955 and 1956. His time at Wrexham served as a stepping stone to one of English football’s most prestigious managerial positions.

Tom Williams managed Wrexham through the challenging World War II years and the immediate post-war period, a tenure spanning seven years that encompassed wartime regional football and the resumption of normal Football League competition in 1946. His leadership during this difficult period helped ensure the club’s survival and stability through one of the most challenging eras in British football history.

Tommy Morgan managed Wrexham for three years from April 1939 to April 1942, a period that encompassed the outbreak of World War II and the subsequent disruption to normal football operations. His tenure saw the club navigate the transition from peacetime football to wartime regional competitions.

Tom Griffiths served as Wrexham manager for just over six months from September 1938 to April 1939, bridging the gap between Arthur Cowell’s brief tenure and Tommy Morgan’s appointment. His spell coincided with the final months of peacetime football before the outbreak of World War II.

Arthur Cowell’s brief tenure lasted just four months in 1938, serving during the summer and early autumn before Tom Griffiths took over. His spell represents one of the shorter managerial appointments in Wrexham’s pre-war history.

Jimmy Logan managed Wrexham for 17 months in the mid-to-late 1930s during their Third Division North campaigns. His tenure provided a period of stability before the brief managerial spells that would follow in the lead-up to World War II.

Ernie Blackburn enjoyed a five-year tenure at Wrexham in the 1930s, one of the longer managerial spells during the inter-war period. He guided the club through Division Three North during a difficult economic era for football, providing stability during the Great Depression years when many clubs struggled financially.

Ralph Burkinshaw served as caretaker manager for just under five months in late 1931 and early 1932, filling the gap between Jack Baynes’ departure and Ernie Blackburn’s appointment. His temporary stewardship helped maintain stability during this transitional period.

Jack Baynes managed Wrexham for nearly two years from October 1929 to September 1931, taking over from Charlie Hewitt. His tenure coincided with the early years of the Great Depression, a challenging period for football clubs across England as attendances declined and financial pressures mounted.

Charlie Hewitt was a man ahead of his time. He styled himself on Herbert Chapman, the influential Huddersfield Town and Arsenal manager, widely regarded as one of the game’s great innovators. Verbose, egotistical, trenchant and autocratic, Hewitt’s controversial methods and strong personality made him a divisive figure during his five-year tenure in the late 1920s. He guided Wrexham through Division Three North during the formative years of the Football League’s third tier.