09 April 2023 , 08:00
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Wrexham are fighting for promotion after a host of big-name signings - but that has inevitably meant some familiar faces heading out the exit door.
Those who watched ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ would have seen a number of those featured in early episodes axed after the arrival of new owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds. They’ll have also discovered that some of those there during last season’s action are no longer at the club after Phil Parkinson’s summer overhaul.
The likes of Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, Jordan Davies, Aaron Hayden and Rob Lainton - heavily involved in the first series - remain at the Racecourse Ground and a huge part of the battle with Notts County for the National League title.
New heroes are also likely to emerge in the next series with several signings making a big impression. But here’s a look at those who were discarded from Wrexham’s ‘Hollywood’ revolution and what they’re now up to.
Dean Keates
Phil Parkinson is now the man synonymous with Wrexham’s ‘Hollywood’ era - but cast you mind back to the time of the takeover and there was a different man in the dugout.
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Viewers of the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ series saw Dean Keates in charge as huge changes hit the Racecourse Ground before their 2020/21 season ultimately fizzled out. The result was Keates’ contract not being renewed as the club went in a different direction and appointed Parkinson.
Keates played over 150 games for Wrexham between 2010 and 2015 and had two stints as manager after his retirement. He was in charge between 2016 and 2018 before leaving to take charge of boyhood club Walsall, then returning in 2019.
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Dean Keates was replaced by Phil Parkinson not long after the shock takeover (Lewis Storey/Getty Images)Unfortunately, he was unable to take Wrexham back into the Football League and he admitted after his sacking he knew what was coming when the takeover took place.
Keates told BBC Sports Wales : "It's football - takeovers happen. When new owners come in there's always change and it's more than likely the manager [that changes]. People like to have their own staff in.
"With five games left, I had almost been told - not directly, through somebody at the football club to my agent's company - that I wouldn't be there the following season. I knew what was coming.”
He has not returned to management since his exit in May 2021.
Paul Rutherford
The second episode of the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ series also featured experienced midfielder Paul Rutherford, who was sent off in their final game against Dagenham and Redbridge as they chased a play-off place.
With Rob McElhenney watching from his Philadelphia home in the early hours of the morning, Rutherford’s over-enthusiastic tackle proved costly. He was shown looking inconsolable in the dressing room, hunched over with his head in his hands.
At the end of the episode, Rutherford was informed his contract was not being renewed and his five-year stint at the Racecourse Ground was over. He later opened up on the moment he discovered he was released whilst his wife was about to give birth to their third child.
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Paul Rutherford was sent off on his final game for Wrexham (Jacques Feeney/Getty Images))"It was bittersweet getting bad news that your contract isn't going to be renewed whilst you are in the maternity ward with your wife," Rutherford told the Fearless in Devotion podcast.
"The flip side of that is we were about to have our third son. There is no good time to receive that call and they were not to know the situation we were in. You just have to take it on the chin and crack on.”
Rutherford stated he is “forever grateful” for the chance to play for Wrexham. He moved on to Welsh Premier side Bala Town, where he has spent the past two seasons and played European football.
He also has his own football coaching company, Two Touch Football, with close pal Scott Brown.
Christian Dibble
The first full season under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ownership saw another fall-guy as Wrexham fell just short of promotion.
Fans of the documentary saw Christian Dibble - son of ex-Manchester City man Andy Dibble - thrust into the spotlight as Wrexham’s No.1 goalkeeper after an injury to Rob Lainton.
Viewers saw a candid Dibble open up on his crisis of confidence and the impact of criticism from fans the previous season. Unfortunately, his return to the first-team did not prove successful as the Reds shipped five goals in their 5-4 defeat to Grimsby in the play-off semi-finals.
He left the club by mutual consent in January. It ended a six-year stint at the club which made him the longest serving player.
Christian Dibble was Wrexham's longest-serving player before he left the club in January (Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)"We would like to wish Dibbs all the best. He's been an excellent member of the squad in terms of his personality and character," manager Phil Parkinson said.
"We had a good chat In the summer, and we agreed it was time for him to move on to try and get that number one shirt somewhere else.
"Obviously he then got his bad injury in the summer, but he's come back and trained well and now the time is right for him to get that move for himself and he goes with our best wishes.”
Dibble quickly found a new club, joining Kidderminster Harriers of the National League North, one step below Wrexham. However, he has been in and out of the team playing five games and keeping one clean sheet with the Harriers sat mid-table.
Others departures
Several other Wrexham stars made brief appearances in the documentary without being given a particularly leading role and have since moved on.
Shaun Brisley played just five games last season after joining from Port Vale and left by mutual consent, joining newly-promoted National League North side Buxton. He has been a regular as they sit mid-table.
Tyler French was sent off on his Wrexham debut but went on to play 38 games for the club before joining Scottish Championship side Dundee for an undisclosed fee. He played 18 games before a serious injury suffered in January ended his season prematurely.
Striker Jordan Ponticelli scored the equaliser against Dagenham and Redbridge in episode two as Wrexham missed out on a play-offs place. He joined National League North side King’s Lynn Town last summer and has scored six goals in 34 games.
Dior Angus joined Harrogate Town in the Football League for an undisclosed fee but has made just six League Two appearances, all from the bench.
Kwame Thomas was released by Wrexham but jumped up a step to join Sutton United in League Two. The former England youth international played 13 games, mostly as a substitute, before joining Scottish Championship side Dundee on loan in January. He has scored once in nine games north of the border.
Cameron Green departed after the 2021/22 season and joined Hayes and Yeading. They were relegated last season and he returned to the National League joining Bromley in February.
Midfielder Daniel Jarvis joined Gateshead at the end of last season and had a spell on loan at Hereford. Striker Jake Hyde is still on Wrexham's books but has been on loan at Southend this season, scoring four goals in 17 National League games.