Home GeneralPremier League would be 'fantastic' for Wrexham – FAW chief Mooney

Premier League would be 'fantastic' for Wrexham – FAW chief Mooney

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Wrexham's Max Cleworth battles for possession against Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea
Wrexham faced Premier League side Chelsea in this season's FA Cup [Getty Images]

Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney says having Wrexham in the Premier League would be "fantastic" for Welsh football.

Mooney has spent time at the Championship club this week during a visit to the city for Wales Women's World Cup qualifier against Albania and the draw for the Uefa Men's Under-19 Championship, being hosted in north Wales this summer.

He said that the club – owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac – have made huge progress as they bid to reach English football's top-flight.

"All the indicators are they're on that way," Mooney told BBC Sport Wales.

"I mean, they've gone back to back to back, as at this stage they've made huge progress.

Noel Mooney (right) pictured at an FAW event with Wrexham chief executive Michael Williamson
Noel Mooney (right) pictured at an FAW event with Wrexham chief executive Michael Williamson [FAW]

"The fact to see them signing Wales internationals like Kiefer Moore, Nathan Broadhead and hopefully more in the future, to see them coming back here to play their football in Wales and also to see the enthusiasm around the club.

"I went into their megastore this week to look for some merchandise and stuff – it really is like walking into a Premier League football club, as it should be.

"With the Kop that's being built here, for example, with the interest from all over the world in the club, it just plays into that great story of Welsh football."

Wrexham, who have had three successive promotions under manager Phil Parkinson, are currently four points off the Championship play-offs with four games of the season remaining.

While the club owner's have never made secret of their desire to reach the Premier League they have also spoken of their ambition to see the club produce home-grown stars and have already invested between £2-3m in the academy.

Mooney said a successful Wrexham academy can also bring huge benefits to Welsh football as well as opportunities for young footballers in north Wales.

"I know that our chief football officer, Dave Adams, is working very closely with the club in terms of the academy and looking to move towards a Category 2 academy, maybe a Category 1 academy in the future," Mooney added.

"During the recent [Wales] camp, I got a chance to speak to Neco Williams and Harry Wilson, two players who grew up in the area who went on to Liverpool at young ages.

"Young boys and girls from across north Wales should have the opportunity to go to Wrexham, for example and reach their full potential as a very young player, right through to becoming an international playing in World Cups, playing in Champions Leagues.

"I have absolutely no doubt they'll be able to do that in the future, the trajectory that the club is on."

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