Premier League club pull out of facing Wrexham in a pre-season friendly at the last minute

Wrexham are busy preparing for life in League One but will begin their pre-season fixture schedule against non-league opposition after a Premier League side pulled out of a behind closed doors game.

The Dragons were promoted as runners-up to champions Stockport County in League Two last season, being joined in the third tier of English football by Mansfield Town and Crawley Town.

It has been a meteoric rise for the Racecourse Ground club, after being purchased by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and achieving back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One.

Phil Parkinson's side are about to embark on their pre-season fixture schedule and have several games in their calendar against a range of opposition.

Thanks to their Hollywood owners, the Dragons will be heading to North America later this month as part of their pre-season preparations, taking on Premier League opposition in the form of Bournemouth and Chelsea, as well as Vancouver Whitecaps.

They then face League Two outfit Fleetwood Town as their final pre-season fixture, before they begin their League One campaign at home to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, August 10.

Their first pre-season fixture, however, will be this Saturday when they travel to take on Northern Premier League Division One West team Hanley Town.

However, this was a hastily arranged fixture after Wrexham were due to play a Premier League side behind closed doors, only for the top flight team to then pull out of it.

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Speaking to the Leader, Wrexham boss Parkinson said: "We had a game organised against a Premier League club behind closed doors at their training ground which they pulled out of because of complications with their pre-season tour.

"We had to quickly arrange an alternative and we went to Hanley, looked at the pitch and spoke to the owner.

"They moved their fixtures around to accommodate us but the upside for them is that they are going to attract a fantastic crowd which can help them with the budget going forward.

"It is a good fixture which sets us on our way to America."

And it was confirmed on the RobRyanRed podcast by Hanley's chairman Ron Mcllreavy that Liverpool were the side due to be Wrexham's opponents, before the non-league side stepped in to quickly fill the gap and rearrange the pre-season schedule.

Liverpool play their first pre-season fixture at the end of this month against Real Betis, before taking on Arsenal, Manchester United and Sevilla.

Arne Slot's side open their Premier League campaign away at Portman Road against promoted Ipswich Town.