Wrexham coach was managed by Phil Parkinson in promotion-winning season, one of his ‘most important signings’
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson is targeting the incredible achievement of three promotions in a row at the STōK Cae Ras.
Wrexham have already clinched back-to-back promotions under Phil Parkinson and now want another.
Sitting third in the League One table but level on points with second-placed Wycombe Wanderers, Wrexham have a great chance of promotion to the Championship.
Parkinson is no stranger to these promotion run-ins and his level-headed demeanour will surely help Wrexham in the coming weeks.
It’s not all about Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham; Parkinson and his staff have been doing a great job with Wrexham able to adjust and challenge with each promotion.
We profiled Parkinson’s assistant Steve Parkin last week but we can’t forget the influence of goalkeeping coach Aidan Davison.
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Wrexham goalkeeping coach Aidan Davison profiled
Sedgefield-born Davison started his career with Billingham Synthonia after being released by Newcastle United as a teenager.
Davison bounced around a number of clubs including Notts County and Bury, playing alongside Parkinson with the Shakers.
Davison was a real nomad in his playing days, signing for 15 clubs in his career – and some of them more than once.
The stopper’s best period came late into his career as he featured under Wrexham boss Parkinson at Colchester United.
Colchester won promotion to the Championship in 2006 with Parkinson and Davison achieving great success at the old Layer Road.
Parkinson left Colchester for Hull in 2006 Davison turned to coaching upon retiring and headed off to the United States, coaching FC JAX Destroyers and Sporting AZ FC.
Goalkeeping came calling back to Davison again though as he coached at Pune FC and Hyderabad FC in India before the Wrexham call came.
Davison was brought in as Wrexham’s new goalkeeping coach in 2022, reuniting him with Parkinson once again.
Lee Butler decided to retire from coaching in 2022 having previously been at Bolton Wanderers with Parkinson, leaving a huge hole to fill.
In came Davison to guide Wrexham’s goalkeepers, including Rob Lainton, Ben Foster and Arthur Okonkwo in his time at the club so far.
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Phil Parkinson loved Aidan Davison at Colchester United
It’s clear that Parkinson and Davison have a strong relationship.
The pair played together, Parkinson then became Davison’s manager and they are now working together to drive Wrexham through the leagues.
Speaking in 2006, Parkinson even told the Daily Gazette in Essex that Davison had been one of his most important signings at Colchester.
We have to imagine that Neil Danns and Chris Iwelumo were up there too, but Parkinson couldn’t speak highly enough of Davison as a player and as a person.
“Aidan Davison is an important player for me on and off the pitch,” said Parkinson. “He has come in and been one of the most important signings since I have been at Colchester United.
“After he left Grimsby Town I was concerned that he was going to pack up and call it a day. But he didn’t and he has given us eight out of ten every game this season. That is what he is all about, solid on and off the pitch,” he added.
A key cog in the Wrexham machine, Parkinson credited Davison for finding Brad Foster as the free agent stopper signed earlier this season.
It’s now more than 30 years since Parkinson and Davison were teammates at Bury but their relationship is still going strong – and they could now win yet another promotion together as Wrexham push towards the Championship.
