Phil Parkinson explains his decision behind dropping Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer

Phil Parkinson explains his decision behind dropping Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer, a decision which was questioned throughout last season.

Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer, who had been key for Wrexham during their rise from the National League to League One under owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, fell out of favour in the 2024/25 season.

Mullin made 26 appearances in League One, scoring three goals, but was sidelined after January following the signings of Jay Rodriguez and Sam Smith.

He appeared just once more, hinting at trust issues with manager Phil Parkinson, though denying rumours and reported speculation of a bust-up.

Parkinson pointed to a lack of goals as the reason for dropping Mullin and Palmer, stressing the competitive nature of League One.

Palmer, who made 27 appearances and netted three times, was also benched after January, describing the experience as mentally challenging.

Wrexham went on to finish second in the third tier, earning a third consecutive promotion, largely thanks to Smith’s contributions.

Mullin, out of contract in 2026, is linked with a potential move, possibly to Wigan, although that has been downplayed and a move to a club in the North West likely, while Palmer looked to be leaving as a free agent, only to then sign a new one-year deal.

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

Is this the end of Paul Mullin at #WxmAFC ?

The pain of even contemplating it is etched on his face. pic.twitter.com/ZhRMEjj0A3

— Fearless In Devotion | WREXHAM AFC podcast (@fearlessidzine) June 13, 2025

“From where I had been to only being allowed to play four games and finding myself being left out of the team, I really resented it. I carried it for weeks coz I felt it was unjust.”

– strong words from Paul Mullin on his limited game time this past season on #WrexhamFX pic.twitter.com/aPGLxL5t74

— Fearless In Devotion | WREXHAM AFC podcast (@fearlessidzine) June 13, 2025

In the latest episode of Welcome to Wrexham, Mullin, 30, said, per The Wrexham Insider: “I don’t know, it’s been difficult, I don’t know what’s caused him to trust me less but he clearly does. Obviously he wants the best for the team.”

A clip posted onto social media saw him say: “Getting in the championship at Wrexham would be worth absolutely everything.

“The icing on the cake for this story and, who knows where they could end, but I’ve enjoyed absolutely every minute of it here.

“And if we could get to the Championship, then that’d be phenomenal. But from a personal point of view, I don’t think I’ll have any part playing it for me.”

Another quote of his: “From where I had been to only being allowed to play four games and finding myself being left out of the team, I really resented it. I carried it for weeks coz I felt it was unjust.

“I’ve let go of all the resentment and anger. Going forward the only thing I can do is control myself.”

Season 4 Episode 6 of Welcome to Wrexham saw manager Phil Parkinson has now explained his decision to dropping Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer.

He said, per The Wrexham Insider: “When we brought two strikers in January, we always knew we’d have a surplus of, and people would find themselves out of the 18-man squad because you can only have seven substitutes.

“That’s the way it is. Mulls didn’t just quite get the goals, which he normally does, and I thought he had a good start to the season, and his general performances were decent, but the goals just didn’t come, and we just needed more from the player in that number nine role.

“So Paul and Ollie found themselves out of the 18-man squad. It’s a harder level than we’d been operating at. So, both good lads, really good lads, have carried on training well for us. But it’s tough, it’s a competitive division, to make the step up is not easy.”

We also see Ollie Palmer on the phone to his dad, speaking about being dropped.

He said while on the phone, per The Wrexham Insider: “The gaffer called me today. I was completely left out the squad. I know the industry I’m in, it’s ruthless, and I know that the club I’m at, it moves so fast, but I love it here. The hard bit is when you’re going from playing every week to all of a sudden you’re seventh.”

Palmer expressed how he felt about losing his place: “Stevenage at home was the last game I played this season.

“If I’m totally honest, it’s slightly more mentally challenging. I’ve never been left out of a squad before, obviously training with the lads throughout the week, knowing that you’re not going to be involved unless something unforeseen happens, such as an injury or suspension.”

Twitter users reacted as Phil Parkinson explains his decision behind dropping Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer…

@craigyjones17: When you’re not even getting picked on a 7-man bench for weeks on end, I think we all know that the writing’s on the wall. It is very sad as he’s done so much and more. Parky knows what he needed to get results though and with that, sentimentality has to take a back seat.

@rob_mills7: He is a club hero and always will be. I hope he gets another chance, but even if he doesn’t no one can ever take away what he has done for the club. I will always be thankful for that.

@robj_j: genuinely heartbreaking – he’s had more impact on this club than any other player I’ve seen in 40+ years of watching Wrexham – Would dearly love to see him play for us in the Championship

@wxm_afc: That’s so hard to watch. But unfortunately, he’s right, I think we’re kidding ourselves if we think he plays next year. He would need an exceptional pre season to be considered.

@Kapake: They’ve been building it up since the episode with his back. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them leave the week off the final episode the way it’s going. I do believe mullin could come good though

@welshwinny8: Still feel he could play a big part in the Championship..

@jensen_jonesss: It’s one of them where I love the man for what he’s done it’s just a shame football moves so fast meaning only a select few players can keep up in the journey

@Bozzywxm11: What a chap… What a legend… 👏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@pyle_g: That’s the sad part of this story.. if anyone deserves to be there it should be Super Paul Mullin..

@gks266783: a couple of years ago I’d have said he was a certainty to be involved. but he’s just not what he was, and thats pretty sad.

@wxm_afc: Ultimately, Parky got us promoted. Do i think we get promoted with Mullin up top with Smith? Personally, I think we do. In the games he played, he did look poor, but he would have come good with more games. His argument could be that Rodrigues didn’t do enough either, I suppose

@triChronicle: I’ve had this feeling that the las 2 episode are paving they way for them leaving. They feel like tribute episodes to all they’ve done. I may not like Palmer lack of goals, but I recognize he played a significant part in NL an L2. SPM injury was WAY more significant!

@MattSpangle: I doubt we see Paul Mullin again :/. It’s actually quite sad.