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Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist slammed the League Managers Association (LMA) decision not to induct Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson into the 1,000 club.
The 57-year-old reached the astonishing milestone of overseeing 1,000 games as the Red Dragons beat Peterborough United 1-0 in League One last weekend. Parkinson, who has enjoyed two successive promotions at Wrexham, has received congratulations from all over the footballing world.
Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson and Wrexham’s Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are among the figures to send him well wishes. However, it’s now been revealed that Parkinson won’t be inducted into the LMA’s prestigious Hall of Fame 1,000 Club.
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There are currently only 38 managers in the modern era of English football to be included, including the likes of Sir Alex himself, Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp. Parkinson won’t be joining them just yet though as LMA rules don’t recognise games managed in non-league football.
The ruling, which leaves him around 100 matches short of the target, has been blasted as “ridiculous” by Rangers legend McCoist. Parkinson’s snub was flagged on talkSPORT by his breakfast show co-host Stelling, who also took umbrage over the decision.
The former Soccer Saturday presenter said: “Phil Parkinson at Wrexham has reached 1,000 games as manager over 22 years with seven clubs. Do you know what though? The managers’ union don’t recognise fifth-tier games, so for them, those two seasons don’t count because it’s easy managing in the National League, isn’t it?”
Jose Mourinho is one of 38 managers in the 1,000-game club -Credit:Anadolu via Getty Images
It was at this point that McCoist interjected, declaring: “That’s ridiculous”. Stelling then replied: “Of course it is. He’s done brilliantly, and at five of those clubs, he’s overseen more than 100 games. That takes some doing.”
Parkinson oversaw just over 100 matches for Wrexham across two full seasons in the National League after joining the club in the summer of 2021. In his first campaign, he took the Red Dragons to the play-off semi-finals, only to be beaten by Grimsby Town in a heartbreaking 5-4 thriller at the Racecourse.
During his second season, the former Sunderland and Bolton manager helped his side lift the National League title with a record-breaking 111 points following a close-fought battle with Notts County. However, the LMA ruling means his incredible feats in the fifth tier don’t count.
The association’s criteria states: “The LMA Hall of Fame 1000 Club recognises any LMA member who has managed 1,000 competitive first team matches at full-time professional clubs in the following sanctioned competitions: Premier League or equivalent overseas, EFL or equivalent overseas, Women’s Super League or equivalent overseas.”
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson (centre) and owners Ryan Reynolds (left) and Rob McElhenney (right) after winning promotion -Credit:AMA/Getty Images
The LMA says Parkinson is aware and “fully understands” the rules. Chief executive Richard Bevan said: “Phil Parkinson is a much admired manager and a valued member of the LMA. We have always proudly recognised his career achievements, including his LMA Special Merit Award in 2013 and LMA FA Cup Manager of the Year Award in 2015, and we congratulate him on achieving this significant milestone in management.
“Phil and his long-time assistant and fellow LMA member Steve Parkin have done an incredible job with Wrexham, taking them from the National League to the play-off places in League One and together, represent one of the most experienced management teams in the EFL.”
He added: “The LMA Hall of Fame 1000 Club criteria extends to equivalent professional leagues around the world to incorporate games managed by British and non-British LMA members who have worked in other countries. However, it does not include steps 5 or lower of the English football men’s pyramid despite many of our members, including Phil, having managed in these leagues and continue to do so.”
The LMA said the criteria had been in place for “many decades” and applied to all members past and present.