“Steve’s Settled In Well At The Club" - Phil Parkinson On Steve Nickson

Phil Parkinson has offered an insight into Steve Nickson’s first weeks at Wrexham, as the club’s inaugural sporting director begins work on its long-term football operation.

Nickson arrived in September following a lengthy spell at Newcastle United, where he established a reputation in recruitment. His appointment marked another step in Wrexham’s off-the-pitch development as the club looks to build on its rapid rise through the divisions.

Working alongside Parkinson and the wider football staff, Nickson is responsible for recruitment, squad planning and developing Wrexham’s sporting infrastructure.

Parkinson said Nickson had settled into his new surroundings, while emphasising that the benefits of his appointment would become clearer over time.

“Steve’s settled in well at the club and we’re enjoying working with him,” Parkinson said.

Nickson brought extensive recruitment experience to Wrexham after spells at Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle.

He worked in youth recruitment at Blackburn before joining Newcastle in 2011, initially taking a similar role. He became the club’s head of recruitment in 2017 and helped identify targets during a transformative period at St James’ Park.

The BBC reported that Nickson played a key role in the signings of Joelinton, Bruno Guimarães and Miguel Almirón. After 15 years at Newcastle, he moved to Wrexham in a broader position that includes overseeing scouting and supporting the club’s football operations.

Parkinson acknowledged that Wrexham’s rapid progress through the divisions has created recruitment challenges, particularly in building the club’s knowledge of international markets.

“We’re in the very early stages for Steve, obviously,” he said.

“An area where we’ve obviously fallen behind with the speed of our progress is on the recruitment, both at home but more internationally really.

“Having that knowledge of players which Steve brings with him and a kind of ready-made knowledge and a network with him into the club, but the benefits of that will be seen over a longer period of time.”

Parkinson welcomed Nickson’s appointment in September, describing him as an experienced football operator whose knowledge and contacts would be important to Wrexham’s future.

Chief executive Michael Williamson also highlighted Nickson’s Premier League experience and his ability to identify talent in a competitive market.

Wrexham’s rise from the National League to the Championship has transformed the demands placed on the club. Three successive promotions have brought stronger opposition and a need to develop the infrastructure that supports the first team.

Nickson’s knowledge of player markets could broaden Wrexham’s search for talent, while his work on squad planning and player development can help support the club’s longer-term ambition of reaching the Premier League.

For now, Parkinson remains confident in the players already at his disposal.

“I feel the squad’s a good one, it’s got more depth in it this year,” he added. “We’ve got more options and I’m very confident in this group of players.”