Max Cleworth Emerges as Wrexham's Most Capped Player Under Phil Parkinson
Max Cleworth has established himself as Wrexham's leading appearance-maker since Phil Parkinson took charge in July 2021. Despite the club's Hollywood era ushering in three consecutive promotions and the departure of many former icons to make way for new heroes, Cleworth remains a constant presence.
In the recent match against Millwall, Cleworth surpassed Paul Mullin's 172 appearances under Parkinson, becoming the player with the most appearances during the English manager's tenure.
At just 23 years old, Cleworth is the last remaining player on the field from Wrexham's National League days, although Davis Keillor-Dunn and Ryan Barnett, who has featured 12 times in the league this season, have recently returned to the squad.
Since making his debut as a 17-year-old academy player in the Scottish Challenge Cup in 2019, the Chester-born defender has accumulated 175 appearances for Wrexham.
Cleworth played 29 times during the National League campaign and has matched that number of appearances in the current Championship season. As Wrexham progressed through the divisions, Cleworth's role and influence have increased.
He has become a key figure under Parkinson, contributing to eight clean sheets. According to FotMob statistics, no player in the squad averages more blocks per 90 minutes than Cleworth.
His impact extends offensively as well, with four goals this season, including a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Blackburn in November 2025.
From National League to Championship Mainstay
Cleworth signed his first professional contract in 2020 and was loaned to Caernarfon Town to gain regular playing time. He returned to start in Parkinson's inaugural match as Wrexham manager, a 2-2 draw at Solihull Moors in August 2021.
From away matches at Solihull to fixtures at renowned stadiums such as St Mary's and the King Power, Cleworth has developed significantly. Promotion would open opportunities to face historic clubs like Manchester United.
Parkinson has expressed high regard for Cleworth, stating:
"I just think Max has got a unique story in football, not just here at Wrexham, because I don't think there's another player who's gone from National League so quickly into the Championship.
To watch him adapt each season has been enjoyable. He's a very professional lad. He works really hard at his game.
Quite often he will be the last person on the training pitch. He's worked hard with the sports science guys and all aspects of his game. And you've got to when you step up through the divisions and he's done that. And he deserves now to be a Championship player."
Throughout Wrexham's ascent from non-league football to the Championship, many early squad pillars have departed, but Cleworth has remained.
Sam Vokes reflected on the Feast of Football podcast:
"I think those players that got them to the Championship level and now pushing for the Premier League, they've almost become icons of the football club.
And they've been part of those promotions and when you're part of a promotion, you're all in it together, you're fighting, and you achieve that together.
And then you want to go and play together at that next level. But look, the demands of the next level mean they've had to bring new people in, regenerate the squad and they've gone from strength to strength.
So, I don't want to say those boys that got them there have been left behind, but it's always going to be hard to keep playing up a level and up a level and up a level.
I think it's kind of caught a few of them up and it's felt like the right time for them to move on."
For players like Mullin, Elliot Lee, and former captain James McClean, this squad regeneration meant moving on during the January transfer window.
Despite the squad's evolution, Cleworth has endured.
His teammate Lewis O'Brien commented:
"I think he's great. He's a top guy. I don't think there is a ceiling he can't break through."
Cleworth remains one of only two players, alongside Ryan Barnett, to have played for Wrexham across all divisions from the National League to the Championship. Another promotion would complete a historic rise.
Cleworth: The Link Between Wrexham's Eras
Cleworth represents the final connection to what Feast of Football host Carl Roberts described as the "bad old days in the National League." He has missed only three matches in all competitions this season and has played a pivotal role in significant moments, such as scoring Wrexham's first League One goal in 19 years.
While various icons have come and gone, Cleworth has become the steady heartbeat of the club's defensive development.
This progression continued with the January transfer window signing of Zak Vyner, 28, from Bristol City. Vyner is an experienced defender with over 260 Championship appearances, underscoring the level at which Wrexham now competes—a stark contrast to earlier days playing alongside semi-professionals at Solihull.
Iwan Roberts praised Vyner:
"I've seen plenty of him. He's big, he's strong. He's a fantastic professional. Great to work with, great attitude. Wants to learn, wants to improve on a daily basis. Trains like he plays."
Sam Vokes added:
"I think it actually surprised me his age when I saw it because I've played against him a number of times. I've played against him both at Burnley and Stoke when he was at Bristol City and Rotherham.
He was always a centre-half that stood out for me to be very good at Championship level. It felt like he's been around for years. He's been playing at Bristol City since he was a young lad. And those amount of appearances at that level are amazing for a player of only 28."
Vyner's arrival introduces competition but also highlights Cleworth's progress. Once the young deputy, Cleworth now sets the standards for newcomers.
As Vokes noted, even in the National League, the club "always bought players of the level above."
Should Wrexham achieve promotion again, a "very busy summer" awaits, with Premier League readiness as the goal.
Parkinson shared his views:
"Max is like the team in general. If you stand still, someone steps in and takes your place.
So he knows that and that added bit of pressure for everybody in the group is important. And, you know, Max is the type of lad who'll keep driving himself on."
Cleworth continues to push himself, demonstrating remarkable durability. Having signed a new long-term contract in January, it is clear he has not been left behind.
Though he is the last survivor of the pre-Hollywood era, Cleworth is not a relic but a core component of Wrexham's evolving identity.
As the club pursues a fourth consecutive promotion, Cleworth stands as the bridge between eras—from Solihull Moors to St Mary's and now on the verge of the Premier League.
His journey is intertwined with Wrexham's rise and appears far from over as Hollywood's cameras continue to follow this star's ascent.
