Wrexham’s Sammy Chesworth Praised by Phil Parkinson After Goals 2026

Key Points

• The striker of Wrexham AFC Academy, Sammy Chesworth, got two goals for the team’s Under-18 side during their win over Preston North End.
• Manager Phil Parkinson lauded the performance of the 18-year-old by stating that the club always believed in his ability.
• Chesworth was listed among the substitutes for Wrexham in their 1-1 draw with Derby County in the Championship on 10 October.
• The teenager didn’t make his debut for Wrexham in the match, but according to the manager, it would be an invaluable experience for him.
• The injury of some senior players in the squad had given an opportunity to some academy players to join the senior preparation process.
• The manager of Wrexham stated that the club usually works with the academy management to select academy players who should become the part of the first team.
• Coach Andy Knight of Wrexham’s academy said that such a call up of Sammy showed the way from academy to the first team of Wrexham.

Wrexham (Wales Times) October 21, 2026 — uk/local/wrexham/">Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has praised academy striker Sammy Chesworth after the 18-year-old scored twice for the club’s Under-18 side and was included in the senior matchday squad for the Championship draw at Derby County.

As reported by The Leader’s Wrexham coverage, Parkinson said the academy players had performed well and highlighted Chesworth’s contribution in the win over Preston. “The (Academy) lads are doing well and they won again at the weekend,” Parkinson said.

“We watched the under-18s beat Preston and Chessy scored twice.”

Parkinson added:

“We know he’s a talented player anyway but to see that impact on the game was excellent.”

The comments were also carried by WrexhamRoundtable, which reported that Chesworth’s two-goal display had earned him the opportunity to experience the senior matchday environment.

Why was Chesworth included in Wrexham’s senior squad?

Chesworth, a first-year professional and regular scorer for Wrexham’s Under-18 side, was named on the bench for Wrexham’s Championship match away to Derby County on 10 October.

He did not enter the pitch as Wrexham drew 1-1 at Pride Park, but his inclusion represented his first senior matchday squad call-up. ESPN’s match record listed Chesworth as Wrexham’s number 50 among the substitutes, while The Leader reported that he was an unused replacement.

Parkinson said injury issues in the senior group had opened the door for several academy players to travel with the first-team squad. “With the injury problems we had last week and prior to that, there was an opportunity to take some of the lads with us,” he said.

He added that being involved was useful even for players who did not feature: “It’s good to have them in and around the squad so they can see what it’s all about, but it’s even better when one of them makes the bench.”

How does Wrexham monitor academy progress?

Parkinson said Wrexham’s coaching staff watch academy training and matches closely, while maintaining regular communication with academy personnel.

“It’s a good indication to our young players that we’re watching every day in training and every time they come over with us and the games,”

Parkinson said.

“We’re constantly liaising with the academy about which players are doing well and if the opportunity comes, the ones who deserve it get pushed up into the frame.”

WrexhamRoundtable reported that this approach gives younger players a clear incentive to perform consistently in training and competitive fixtures, particularly as the club operates in the Championship.

What did Wrexham’s academy staff say?

Wrexham academy coach Andy Knight welcomed Chesworth’s senior call-up and said it showed younger players that there is a route into the first-team squad.

“We’ve just heard news that Sammy Chesworth has been named on the bench for the first team,” Knight told the club. “Congratulations to him and his family, but also to the whole Academy who’ve worked with Sammy.”

Knight added:

“I suppose for the boys within our Academy, it just shows there’s a pathway there, and there’s opportunity. Hopefully, it motivates every single player within our building.”

What happened in the Derby County match?

Wrexham drew 1-1 away at Derby County on 10 October, with Chesworth named among the substitutes but not brought on.

The Leader reported that Danny Ward, Aaron James and Chesworth were among the substitutes not used, while Oliver Rathbone came off the bench to rescue a late point for Wrexham.

Chesworth’s presence in the squad followed his brace against Preston and reflected Parkinson’s willingness to include academy players when squad circumstances allow.

Could Chesworth feature again for Wrexham?

Following the Derby fixture, Parkinson indicated that Chesworth was set to be included in the squad again for Wrexham’s home Championship match against West Bromwich Albion.

The Border Counties Advertizer reported that Parkinson believed the teenager deserved his call-up and that he was expected to be involved once more.

WrexhamRoundtable noted that Chesworth would hope to be included again, although the final decision rested with Parkinson as the manager continued to assess his squad.

Background of the development

Sammy Chesworth is an 18-year-old Wrexham academy striker and first-year professional who has been a regular goalscorer for the club’s Under-18 team.

His two-goal performance against Preston North End brought him to Parkinson’s attention and led to his first senior squad inclusion for the Championship visit to Derby County.

Wrexham’s academy has been presenting itself as a development route for young players, with club staff describing Chesworth’s promotion as evidence that strong performances at youth level can lead to first-team opportunities.

Prediction: How can this affect Wrexham’s young players?

Chesworth’s call-up is likely to strengthen the message within Wrexham’s academy that consistent performances can lead to senior opportunities. Parkinson’s comments indicate that the first-team staff are actively monitoring academy training and matches, rather than promoting players only during a crisis.

For Chesworth, the immediate benefit is exposure to Championship preparation, matchday routines and the standards required around Wrexham’s senior squad. Even without playing against Derby, that experience may help him adapt more quickly if further opportunities arise.

For other academy players, Knight’s response suggests the club intends to use Chesworth’s inclusion as motivation. If Wrexham continue to face senior-squad absences, players performing regularly for the Under-18s may receive similar chances to train with, travel with, or sit on the bench for the first team.