Wrexham are in the mix to secure promotion to the Championship for the first time in their history, in no small part due to one player who was previously scouted by Real Madrid.
Wrexham lost 2-0 to Reading in their latest League One fixture, but the battle for automatic promotion remains tight.
A meeting with Wycombe Wanderers awaits the Red Dragons this weekend, and the winner of that tie will end Saturday in the second automatic promotion place behind league leaders, Birmingham City.
But even if Phil Parkinson’s team don’t end 2024/25 second, they have already opened up a 10-point gap between themselves and seventh place with 10 games to play, meaning a shot at promotion via the play-offs is very likely barring a complete collapse and every side around them excelling.
A number of players have shone over the course of the campaign, with it clear Ollie Rathbone is Wrexham’s Player of the Season to date.
But while the contributions of summer addition Rathbone can’t be understated, 37-year-old Steven Fletcher deserves immense credit for the role he’s played in the club’s promotion push so far this term.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Wrexham striker Steven Fletcher was scouted by Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid
After leaving Dundee United in July 2023, Fletcher was convinced to join Wrexham in September of that year after previously contemplating retirement.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds will be so glad the number nine did not hang up his boots, however, as he’s been crucial for the Welsh outfit in 2024/25.
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Fletcher is dominating Premier League and Championship players this term, with seven goals for Wrexham in the league, six of which have come as a substitute.
Long before he made the move to the Racecourse Ground, however, the Scotsman was reportedly on the radar of Spanish giants, Real Madrid.
A report from the Mirror in January 2012 claimed that Fletcher, who was on the books of Wolverhampton Wanderers at the time, had emerged as a target for Los Blancos, who were managed by Jose Mourinho back then.
It’s understood the Spanish powerhouse scouted the now Wrexham ace twice in December 2011 and had been keeping an eye on the striker since the start of his senior career with Hibernian.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Where Steven Fletcher ranks among oldest goalscorers in League One history
Fletcher’s last goal for Wrexham came in League One against Huddersfield Town on March 4th, 2025.
At the time, the stiker was 37 years, 11 months, and six days old, making him the second-oldest goalscorer in the history of the competition.
Player Age at time of goal
Stephen Quinn 38 years 4 months 8 days
Steven Fletcher 37 years 11 months 6 days
Garath McCleary 37 years 8 months 3 days
Michael Morrison 36 years 10 months 22 days
Lee Gregory 36 years 4 months 30 days
Via Transfermarkt.
Sadly, with just two months of 2024/25 left to play and Fletcher out of contract in June, it’s unlikely he will every break the record unless he signs a new deal and Wrexham do not get promoted.