Wrexham AFC visit UNC Children’s Hospital on US Tour

THE WREXHAM AFC squad visited young patients at UNC Children’s Hospital during their visit to Chapel Hill.

Phil Parkinson and Wrexham’s first-team players paid a visit to UNC Children’s Hospital, to meet patients and distribute gifts ahead of Wednesday’s match against Chelsea.

The Reelin’ For Research Pediatric Hematology Oncology Clinic is located close to Kenan Memorial Stadium, where Wednesday’s opening game of Wrexham’s US Tour takes place.

Parkinson, club manager, was joined by club captain Ben Tozer, Mark Howard, Liam McAlinden, Bryce Hosannah, Max Cleworth, Elliot Lee, Sam Dalby and Aaron Hayden in visiting young patients on the ward.

The players, alongside Wrex the Dragon and Club legend Brian Flynn, who is representing Wrexham as a club ambassador for the US tour, took time to meet the children on the ward, as well as their family members and some of the hospital staff.

Wrexham will take on Chelsea at Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Wednesday, July, 19.

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Wrexham face Chelsea in first game of pre-season tour in America

WREXHAM kick-off the pre-season tour of America by facing Premier League giants Chelsea tonight but Phil Parkinson is treating it like any other friendly.

The clash takes place at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and more than 50,000 supporters will be in attendance.

Although Wrexham can expect a tough test in newly appointed manager Mauricio Pochettino’s first game in charge of the Blues, Parkinson admits he will utilise his squad and give lots of players minutes in just the second pre-season outing on the back of Saturday’s 4-2 win against Bala Town

“What a game for us, playing against a team like that,” said Parkinson.

“Mauricio Pochettino has gone in there, they signed a lot of new players in January and it is going to be difficult.

“But it is a great opportunity for us to play against Premier League opposition and potential Champions League contenders for next year.

“We will still be giving players minutes so there will be a lot of substitutions, a lot of changes, but that is because we have got to get the right amount of minutes in the players in our preparations.

“But equally, Wrexham versus Chelsea, what a game and we have got two Wrexham legends in Joey Jones and Mickey Thomas who have played for both clubs.

“I am sure they are going to be excited hearing about how the game goes.”

Midfielder Andy Cannon, who helped Wrexham clinch the National League title following a record-breaking 2022-23 campaign, is relishing the tour which also includes matches against Manchester United, Los Angeles Galaxy and Philadelphia Union.

“Everyone is looking forward to it, it is going to be a great experience,” said Cannon.

“I don’t any of the lads, apart from Ben Foster, have done an American tour like we are doing it and it is exciting.

“It is great for everyone.”