DEPARTURE VERIFIED : Why I left Wrexham FC…………Phil Parkinson said
DEPARTURE VERIFIED : Why I left Wrexham FC…………Phil Parkinson said
Why Paul Rutherford left Wrexham just as they became a global sensation under Reynolds and McElhenney
Viewers of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary will be familiar with how Paul Rutherford’s five years at the Welsh club came to an abrupt end.
Having been sent off in the final game of the 2020-21 season at Dagenham & Redbridge and shown to be inconsolable afterwards over Wrexham’s play-off hopes being dashed, the Liverpool academy graduate was among 10 players released just a couple of days later. That, though, tells only part of the story.
“It was a weird four days overall,” says the 35-year-old. “I got sent off on the Saturday and we missed out on the play-offs. Sunday, Dean (Keates, then manager) texted all the group to say his journey with Wrexham had ended and thanking the lads for their efforts.
“Monday, I’m in the labour ward with my wife (Gemma) when I found out I was being released. There is no good time to get the news your contract is up, believe me. And I don’t hold finding out like that against anyone. But it did help complete this scenario, as on the Tuesday the baby was born.
“A bizarre four days when I didn’t know if I was coming or going.”
Life has calmed down only marginally since then. Rutherford has spent the past two seasons playing part-time in the Welsh Premier League with Bala Town. His ‘day job’ these days is as a team leader with do-it-yourself chain B&Q, while most evenings are spent ferrying sons, Riley and Ronan, to training at Liverpool, Everton and Manchester United.
“Riley is 11,” says the proud father about his eldest son, who last weekend was representing Everton in a German tournament. “He’s already a better player than me. He scores goals for a start!”
With the coaching company, Two Touch Football, Rutherford set up with pal Scott Brown on the Wirral also possibly expanding to a second night in the near future, ‘busy’ doesn’t seem to do justice to his schedule right now.
Nevertheless, the midfielder will find time this week to once again don the colours of Wrexham in the inaugural Soccer Tournament in the United States. Wrexham Red Dragons, led by current first-team coach Dave Jones and featuring a host of former players including Lee Trundle and Andy Morrell, will face Serie B side Como 1907 who boast Cesc Fabregas as player-coach, US Women, and Say Word FC in the group stages.
“It is great to be representing the club again,” says Rutherford. “And in America as well. A no-brainer for me. As soon as I could make it work logistically, with work and family, I was made up.
“Looking at our fixtures, it’ll be a big test. Hopefully, we won’t embarrass the club or anything. For me, it’s just another good memory associated with Wrexham. Not often you can say Cesc Fabregas is part of the opposition.
“Something to tell the kids about. And maybe get them to think, ‘Frigging hell, you weren’t half bad were you Dad?’”
