Wrexham defender Jordan Tunnicliffe delighted to be back
JORDAN TUNNICLIFFE was out longer than he expected but the centre-back refuses to dwell on the past and is looking forward to playing his part for the rest of the season.
A back problem meant Tunnicliffe missed the final five games in 2022-23 when Wrexham clinched the National League title and the 30-year-old was still absent for the Reds’ return to the Football League after picking up a calf injury in pre-season.
Reds’ boss Phil Parkinson did not rush Tunnicliffe’s comeback and he was eased back in by making two starts in the EFL Trophy and another couple of substitute appearances in League Two.
With Aaron Hayden missing due to illness, Tunnicliffe made his first league start of the season in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bradford City at Valley Parade and he is understandably delighted to be back.
“It has been really tough and longer than I thought,” said Tunnicliffe, who kept his place and impressed again in Tuesday night’s 2-1 home win against Sutton United which leaves Wrexham third in League Two.
“I played in the Halifax game and trained the day before the Notts County game.
“I went home and my back went. Not from playing against Halifax, it just came randomly and I couldn’t do anything about it.
“I tried to do everything I could to play but it was a bad injury and I missed a lot of football, you can’t do anything with back injuries.
“I pushed myself for the American trip, my back still wasn’t right and I got a calf strain so that was a bit of a setback.
“I have slowly been getting there and I was pleased to get out there against Bradford and play my part.
“I am fit now and just excited to play football. I have got the rest of the season to look forward to.”
Tunnicliffe was on the sidelines when Wrexham’s recording breaking season ended with automatic promotion and return to the EFL following a 15-year absence but he prefers to look at the bigger picture, with the team’s achievement meaning more to him.
“It was disappointing but I was behind the lads,” said Tunnicliffe, who arrived at The STóK Cae Ras from Crawley in the summer of 2022.
“I wanted to get promoted.
“If someone had said to me you can’t play the final five games but you are guaranteed promotion, I would have snapped their hand off.
“We did it in the end so happy days.”
