Wrexham’s Phil Parkinson named National League manager of the season

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has been named Vanarama National League manager of the season.

But Wrexham striker Paul Mullin, who scored 47 goals in all competitions, lost out on the player of the season award to Macaulay Langstaff.

Notts County striker Langstaff scored 42 National League goals – four more than Mullin – as Luke Williams’ side finished four points short of champions Wrexham’s record total of 111.

Parkinson steered Wrexham over the line amid the fierce spotlight on the Welsh club because of their Hollywood star owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Phil Parkinson scoops the Manager of the Season award with Macaulay Langstaff named Player of the Season #TheVanarama | @Vanarama https://t.co/j8ylhrohnh

— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) May 11, 2023

Wrexham missed out on promotion in the play-offs last season, but the Red Dragons ended a 15-year absence from the English Football League on the season’s penultimate weekend this time.

Notts County, who pushed Wrexham all the way in a thrilling title race, will contest the play-off final against Chesterfield on Saturday for the second promotion spot.

The top two dominate the National League team of the year with eight players. Notts County supply five players, two more than Wrexham.

National League Team of the Year: N Ashmore (Boreham Wood), J King (Chesterfield), A Chicksen (Notts County), B Tozer (Wrexham), K Cameron (Notts County), E Lee (Wrexham), M Palmer, R Rodrigues, M Langstaff (all Notts County), P Mullin (Wrexham), R Colclough (Chesterfield).