THE LURE OF ‘FIFTH DIVISION’

PAUL MULLIN’S summer move to Wrexham rocked the National

League and provided further proof of the obsession to reach the EFL.

Cambridge United’s goal-machine – 34 goals in 50 games – helped them into League One and made the striker a hot property with a couple of Championship clubs on his trail.

But, after a call from Rob McElhenney – one of the Welsh side’s Hollywood owners and no doubt a pleasing personal package, thanks to a £2million investment – Mullin was Racecourse bound.

No wonder that Phil Parkinson’s side are joint favourites with Stockport County to earn top spot and automatic promotion from a league awash with clubs with a Football League heritage.

Gary Johnson’s Torquay United are still smarting from losing out to another ex-EFL regular, Hartlepool United, in the play-off final, while

Grimsby Town and Southend United are anxious to limit their stay in non-league football to a single season. Add the likes of a rejuvenated Chesterfield, ambitious Dagenham and Redbridge and Bromley, under England manager Gareth

Southgate’s big mate Andy Woodman, then no wonder many regard this as football’s fifth division.

Woodman (above) admitted: “I was blown away by the quality of the teams we played last season.

“Grimsby have come down into the league and we meet them on the opening day (August 21) and that’s going to be a real benchmark for us.

“Southend, who have also come down, have an experienced manager in Phil Brown, who’s done it at the highest level.”

Brown himself, who was parachuted in for the last six games of a desperate season for the Shrimpers, surprised many people by staying put, despite the club losing its Football League status after 101 years.