Ollie Rathbone explains why he quit Rotherham United to join Wrexham

Wrexham are back in League One action this afternoon as Phil Parkinson and co head on the road to take on Rotherham United.

The October international break is mercifully over and Wrexham fans can focus on League One action once again.

Phil Parkinson’s men have not been in League One action for two weeks now, but the 4-1 win over Northampton Town feels like even longer ago.

Wrexham now head to South Yorkshire with Parkinson hopeful of an away win.

Victories on the road having come on a regular basis for Wrexham this season, winning just one of five away games in League One.

Parkinson will be looking for big displays from his key players this afternoon and one player may have some extra motivation.

 

Ollie Rathbone of Wrexham AFC runs with the ball during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy match between Wrexham and Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 at R...

Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images

Ollie Rathbone on Wrexham owners

Wrexham raided Rotherham United over the summer, securing a deal for midfielder Ollie Rathbone.

Millers boss Steve Evans has highlighted a ‘significant’ fee with Wrexham paying in the region of £500,000.

Rathbone spent three years at Rotherham and now makes his first return since signing for Wrexham.

The former Manchester United talent has now told the Rotherham Advertiser that the prospect of playing at higher levels attracted him to Wrexham.

Rathbone spent two years in the Championship with Rotherham before their relegation and joining Wrexham may have been viewed as a sideways move by some.

Rathbone believes that the sky is the limit for this Wrexham side though with Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds looking to go even higher.

The midfielder added that he has only met McElhenney and Reynolds ‘briefly’ but he is enjoying his time at Wrexham – even though settling in too longer than imagined.

“That’s what attracted me,” said Rathbone. “I desperately wanted to be a Championship player still. When this came up, it ticked a lot of boxes and was something I was very excited about.

“The movie stars? I’ve met them but only briefly.”

“I am enjoying it here. It took a little bit longer than I thought to settle in. In the grand scheme of things, I hadn’t been at Rotherham for ages, but I was very settled there. It was strange going into a different environment. It’s been a couple of months now and I’m really starting to find my feet,” he added.

 

Rathbone’s chance will come

Rathbone cost a significant fee in the summer and may have been expecting a key role at Wrexham as a result.

However, Parkinson has so far favoured George Dobson, Andy Cannon and Elliot Lee as his midfield three.

That means Rathbone has been limited to just two league starts and he may start from the bench against Rotherham.

That is no doubt frustrating for Rathbone but the League One season is a real slog.

Wrexham will need everybody in this squad ready and raring to go, with Rathbone needing to be prepared whenever his chance arrives.

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