Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson reflects on 'great times0' at former club Colchester United as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side prepare to face League Two rivals

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has admitted that Colchester hold a special place in his heart ahead of the two clubs meeting this weekend.

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• Parkinson reflects on Colchester past
• Wrexham face manager's former club
• Parkinson achieved huge feats with both

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ahead of the League Two clash at Wrexham's SToK Racecourse home, Parkinson reflected on his time managing Colchester, the first step in his managerial career. The 56-year-old took charge of the Essex club in 2003 and guided them to the Championship in 2006, one of his greatest achievements as a coach.

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  WHAT PARKINSON SAID

  Parkinson said: "I have so many fantastic memories from my time at Colchester where I learnt so much as a young manager. When you get that first job in management – and it was a shock to get it – you want to be successful straight away. We won promotion to the Championship in 2006 – the first time Colchester had played in that division. They were great times."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Since that achievement, Parkinson has written himself into Wrexham folklore by guiding the club back to the Football League after a 15-year absence. On Saturday, Wrexham will meet his former club as they look to keep up the pressure on League Two leaders Stockport County.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PARKINSON AND WREXHAM?

  A win against Colchester would see Wrexham return to winning ways in the league after they dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Harrogate Town two-and-a-half weeks ago. Stockport are six points clear of the Red Dragons at the top of the table, but Parkinson's side have a game-in-hand.