Wrexham reveal retained list after promotion to Championship as eight players leave the club

Newly promoted Wrexham have announced their retained list at the end of the 2024-25 season and eight players have been released.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have backed manager Phil Parkinson all the way from the National League to the Championship, changing the club's requirements every step of the way.

Every May, clubs in English football announce their retained list, outlining the decisions made between the club and any players they have that are out of contract.

Some are retained under new contracts, others released as free agents. The North Wales club have decided to let eight of their first team squad leave for pastures new.

While the futures of James Rainbird and Callum Edwards are yet to be agreed, Aaron James has had a one-year extension automatically triggered.

But Steven Fletcher, Mark Howard, Josh Adam, Jordan Davies, Harry Dean, Brad Foster, Liam Hall and Sam Dalby will all leave the Racecourse Ground.

According to Wrexham's statement, striker Dalby had the option to stay after his loan spell with Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership: "Sam Dalby was offered a new contract in January but turned this down, and so will also be leaving the football club with our thanks for his efforts during his time here."

Fellow striker Fletcher had already announced his departure at the age of 38.

On Instagram, the former Premier League star said: "In my 22 years of stepping onto a pitch, I have never experienced anything like this club.

"I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to come here and fall back in love with the game! To have had the experiences and the opportunities that this club has given me has been just incredible."

Sam Dalby has been in fine form on loan at Dundee United (Image: Getty)

Howard and Davies were both featured heavily in the early seasons of the Disney+ 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary series.

The veteran goalkeeper was part of an ongoing saga regarding the establishment of a consistent and fit number one, a situation eventually resolved by the signing of Arthur Okonkwo, initially on loan.

Wrexham-born Davies laid bare his struggles in a series of tragic interviews before and after the stillbirth of his son.

Fellow North Walian Dean, Foster, Adam and Hall leave without a first-team appearance to their names.

Wrexham have also announced that five young players will be released and another has declined the option to stay.

Four have received offers of professional contracts.