Wrexham have been thrown a somewhat unusual issue to deal with before Tuesday night's clash with Halifax Town, after their star player Paul Mullin caused a stir with a pair of boots that were inscribed with the phrase "Fuck the Tories".
Mullin won Wrexham's player of the season award last year, and remains a pivotal part of their side, as they aim to win promotion from the National League into League 2.
The English striker shared a photo to social media earlier this week of his new boots, with the provocative statement inscribed on the outside. The backdrop of Wrexham's home ground at the Racecourse naturally caused a stir, and the club have come out with a statement distancing themselves from the boots, and confirmed Mullin will not wear them in any games for his club.
Wrexham: POTY Paul Mullin causes stir with provocative boots
Wrexham's Paul Mullin drew attention this week with the reveal of his new pair of boots, which were inscribed with the not-so-subtle political message "F*** the Tories".
Wrexham’s Paul Mullin is pulling no punches with his new boots. pic.twitter.com/9pHc0tWWF3
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) October 25, 2022
Mullin appeared to be planning to wear the boots in Wrexham's game against Halifax Town on Tuesday night - but that will now not happen.
In a statement on Tuesday morning, Wrexham confirmed that the photo taken at the Racecourse Ground had been taken without the club's knowledge, and that Mullin would not be wearing the boots in action for the club.
The statement read:
The Club can confirm that the boots revealed by Paul Mullin on social media will not be worn tonight, or in any other Wrexham AFC fixture and that the photographs taken at the Racecourse Ground were done so without our knowledge or approval.
For the record, the pictures wouldn’t have been permitted to be taken, had we known, and the issue will be dealt with privately by the Club.
The Club has adopted a neutral position on many matters with a political dimension and intends to continue to do so going forward.
The Club also acknowledge that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, whether that be employees or supporters but would also highlight that an individual view cannot be fairly attributed, as the view of everyone or the Club itself.
There is no more prominent example of this than the fact that the MP for the constituency within which the Club is found, is a Conservative seat.
After this unwelcome distraction, the Club hopes the focus remains on our objectives of gaining promotion on the field and creating community benefit off it, in which Paul Mullin will continue to play a significant part.
The Paul Mullin controversy comes after a similar incident involving the club's fans last month, when they were filmed booing a minute's silence in remembrance of the Queen.
This is a very different kind of publicity to that which Wrexham have grown accustomed to in recent years.
The small town Welsh club were bought by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhinney in November 2020, and the pull of the two actors has led to a surge of interest in Wrexham. They were recently the subject of a new Disney+ documentary Welcome to Wrexham, which documented the first full season for the club under the stewardship of Reynolds and McElhinney.
Paul Mullin was their top scorer during that season, and also claimed their Player of the Season award. Given he also won both awards at a league level, and remains the team's star man up front, Wrexham will hope he can put this controversy behind him and help the team to League 2.
They currently sit in second place in the table, three points behind Notts County.
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