Promotion, Vegas and Disney for Luke McNicholas

It has been another rollercoaster of a season for Mayo’s Luke McNicholas as he is now firmly embedded with Welsh side Wrexham who finished second in League Two to earn promotion to League One. 

That was back to back promotions for Wrexham and the first experience of same for McNicholas.

“Yeah it was unbelievable to the involved, to be able to see what goes into getting promotion and all the effort that it takes on the pitch and on the training ground. The togetherness of the lads has been unbelievable.” 

As with when they were promoted from the National League, Wrexham’s owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney flew all the players and staff to Las Vegas as a reward for winning successive promotions.

“Yeah to be honest the Las Vegas trip was unbelievable. It was a once in a lifetime trip and shows how much the owners care about the club and the players. They really value us all and the efforts that we put in and they showed that by bringing us away. Like I say, it really was a once in a lifetime experience unless of course we get promoted again! I have met the owners a couple of times now, they are really top guys.” 

McNicholas had joined initially Wrexham initially on loan from Sligo Rovers with the deal having made permanent in the January transfer window. He was delighted to get the move confirmed although he had been hoping to feature more with the first team but understands that he has to wait for his chance.

“It was great to it all finalised to have the deal made permanent. I knew that it would be but in football nothing is ever certain until the contract is in front of you and you 100% get to sign on the dotted line. I played a few games for the reserves in the Central League and also played three games for the first team in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy against Crewe, Port Vale and Burton Albion. I was on the bench for the first team a few times as well. It’s not what I want seeing as I had been playing regularly with Rovers but I know that these things take time and that I have to be patient and take my chance when it comes. 

"My job is to make sure that I am ready when I do get the chance. I just have to keep focused on myself and make sure that I am right and ready to go. I have spoken with the club and I know there is uncertainty as to whether or not Arthur Okonkwo will be coming back. That is all out of my control. I just have to make sure that I am in the best position physically and mentally when the chance comes.” 

Wrexham have been thrust into the spotlight ever since their Hollywood takeover and the subsequent documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ which airs on Disney+. McNicholas admits that it can all take getting use to and can be a bit surreal at times.

“I had watched all of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ before I signed am watching Season 3 and yeah exactly you can spot me in the background. It is all a bit surreal to be fair. I grew up watching James McClean playing for Ireland and in the Premier League, the same with Stephen Fletcher and now they are teammates of mine.

“I do have to pinch myself some times and then realise that this is normal now although it did take a little time to adjust to it. They have all achieved great things and I want to be a part of all that.” 

McNicholas is currently back in Wales as his girlfriend is a secondary school teacher in Weaverham and he will be back in pre-season come the end of June before going back to America for Wrexham’s pre-season tour.

“Pre-season starts on June 26 as that will be six weeks before the season starts, The main focus is the tour in America where we will have games against Bournemouth, Chelsea and the Vancouver Whitecaps. And again you know that is all a bit unreal and I can’t wait for them games or to be a part of them, they will be class.” 

After that it will be into League One for McNicholas and Wrexham with the club aiming to make it three promotions in a row while the Belcarra man will be hoping for more playing time:

“We’re going into League One now and don’t want to stop there. Everyone knows how ambitious this club is, the aim is to get to the Premier League. So that means we will be aiming to win the League next season and get promoted to the Championship. On a personal level I just want to be playing more games. That’s my aim to be playing more football.”