MULLIN HAS THE WREX FACTOR
Cupset legend Thomas backs striker to deal knockout blow
MICKEY THOMAS is calling on Wrexham goal-machine Paul Mullin to celebrate signing his new, lucrative contract by taming the Shrews in their FA Cup clash.
The Hollywood-backed North Wales club make the short trip into England against a side one division higher – but Thomas sees them as the favourites to reach the fourth round.
The Wrexham legend, star of their 1992 cup giant-killing of Arsenal, said: “It shows how far Wrexham have come, they are favourites in many eyes.”
One of the reasons is Mullin, 29, who has been rewarded for his tally of 90 goals in 117 games since joining from Cambridge in the summer of 2021 with a new, three-and-a-half year deal.
Thomas added: “He is a pure goalscorer. What I also like about him is how hard-working he is. He always puts in a huge shift.
“It’s obvious he loves playing for Wrexham and the fans love him. Why go anywhere else? Although I do believe he could easily play at a higher level.”
Wales boss Robert Page has revealed that Mullin, who qualifies to play for the Dragons through a Welsh gran, is in his thoughts, but he has yet to call him up.
Thomas said: “I’ve been disappointed that Paul hasn’t been given an opportunity by Wales – I know he’s desperate to get the chance.
“OK, he’s been playing in the National League and League Two for Wrexham, but I’m sure he could make the step up.”
Being back in the FA Cup spotlight – last season they beat Coventry and were just seconds away from knocking out Sheffield United – will, according to Thomas, only help the Mullin cause.
“Wales aren’t exactly flushed with top strikers, so why not give Paul an opportunity?” he added. “Hopefully, the FA Cup can help him.”
Shrewsbury are one of the 12 clubs that Thomas, now 69, played for during his maverick career.
“At first, I got booed by the Shrewsbury fans because I had played for Wrexham,” the former winger recalled. “I also remember a headline in the local paper saying, ‘He Might Not Set The Pitch Alight But He Will Soon Light Up The Nightlife’.
“To be fair, the guy who wrote it came up to me after two games and apologised, because he could see I took my football seriously.
“I was only there a season and the fans ended up chanting for me to become the manager. There were talks about it, but I didn’t go down that road because I wanted to keep playing.
“But if I had, I would have appointed as my No.2 someone who was a decent centre-half at the club at that time... David Moyes!”