Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has told talkSPORT the club’s sometimes brutal transfer policy is just part of football.
The Welsh side became the first team to achieve three-straight promotions in England’s top five tiers last season, and are about to start their first second tier campaign in 43 years.
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Such a rapid ascent under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has undoubtedly bought its difficulties, particularly when it comes to squad turnover.
In particular, the club have had to say goodbye to a number of greats along the way, with Paul Mullin, star of Welcome to Wrexham and Deadpool, a recent example.
Yet as Parkinson explained, that’s just part and parcel of being a team on the rise.
Discussing their transfer policy amid a busy summer, he said: “I think it’s a balance between continuity and keeping the momentum our success has brought, but also accepting we’re going into a very tough division and we’ve got to keep evolving the squad.
“That’s just the way it goes when you progress so quickly as we have done in the last three years.
“Some tough decisions have had to be made but everybody at the club always gets treated fairly by the owners, myself and the staff.
“It’s about getting the balance right between embracing the lads who have taken us so far but also making sure we’ve got the Championship quality to compete at another level.”
Wrexham continue to add Premier League experience to their squad with Kieffer Moore the latest example having recorded 35 top flight appearances with Bournemouth.
Various experts have predicted that Wrexham could well end up competing for the play-offs in the Championship, and Parkinson was asked if that adds any pressure.
Pressure? What pressure?
“I just ignore it all together to be honest,” he responded.
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“I’m just trying to piece the squad together that will make us competitive in the division. We’re still some way off that but we’re getting there in terms of recruitment.
“It’s not just about the new players but about the players that have been with us since the National League as well coming up three divisions very quickly, and we’re looking forward to seeing those players adapt and grow with the club.”
Should Wrexham continue their ascent with a fourth straight promotion it would be one of football’s great stories, even with their huge spending considered.
And for Reynolds and McElhenney, it would be the culmination of an extraordinary journey that started with their takeover in 2020.
Yet despite having all eyes on himself, Parkinson isn’t feeling any pressure from the owners, let alone the fans.
“Even in the National League we never spoke about what we had to do,” he explained.
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“It’s just about recruiting the right players and I think success for us this season is by the end of it we’ve continued to play in the manner and represent the town how we have done over the last four seasons.
“If we do that I’ll be pleased, let’s see where that takes us but the most important thing is we’ve built a strong culture of honesty and heart and endeavour, and I want to keep that.
“I want to be a difficult team to play against and play with real pride as we have done because we’re representing a great football club.”
Wrexham kick off their Championship campaign away at Southampton on Saturday, a match you can listen to live on talkSPORT.