Matty James says Wrexham gave him a way back when his career was close to ending

Matty James says he was close to leaving professional football before Wrexham offered him a chance to rebuild his career in 2024. In a new interview published by the club on 29 September, the midfielder described the uncertainty after his Bristol City contract ended and the significance of the call that brought him to North Wales. James initially signed as a free agent in October 2024. Wrexham now credits him with 80 appearances, a substantial return for a move that began with a short-term contract.

A chance to keep playing

“The reality is, I was only a whisker away from maybe finishing football, which would have been devastating because it wasn’t my own decision,” James told the club. After leaving Bristol City in May 2024, he trained with former club Leicester while looking for his next opportunity. James said he welcomed the invitation to train with Wrexham because he had followed the club’s progress and wanted to be part of its ambitions. “Wrexham has given me another lease of life, really,” he said. He described the chance to keep playing and enjoying football as the reason representing the club means so much to him.

Repaying Parkinson’s trust

James credited Phil Parkinson with showing faith in him from the start. His response, he said, was to work to justify that decision and repay the welcome from supporters. Wrexham describes the 35-year-old as its oldest squad member and says he has appeared in all but one league match this season. That continued involvement gives context to an interview about staying useful, rather than simply looking back on a long career. James said every training session and match still demands his full commitment because he remembers how close he came to losing the opportunity to play. He would welcome finishing his career at Wrexham, but expressed that as a hope. The interview announces neither a new contract nor a retirement date. His immediate focus, he said, is to continue contributing and repay the club’s faith.