Wales Manager Robert Page is looking to freshen up his squad ahead of March’s UEFA EURO Qualifiers and following the retirement of Gareth Bale, he will need to bolster striking options.
Enter Paul Mullin. The 28-year-old was born in Litherland in north Liverpool but is eligible to play for Wales through his Welsh grandmother.
In the summer of 2021, the Mereysider signed for Wexham after showing prolific form for Cambridge United where he netted 32 goals in 46 games. He claimed the League 2 Player of the Year award and ultimately won promotion to League 1.
Stepping down into non-league football could have been seen as a precarious choice, especially with a host of Championship clubs targeting his signature.
But he set heart on moving closer to home and the project at Wrexham seemed to be the perfect fit.
Fast forward to the present day, Wrexham’s recent exploits has seen Mullin become the first player to score in each of the first, second, third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup in a season for a non-league team since Colin Williams in 1984-85 for Telford United.
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A feat that even caught the attention of Page who watched Wrexham’s 3-1 FA Cup defeat at Sheffield United.
He said: “I was really impressed with him, he did not give the centre back one minute on the ball. If there was an aerial battle he was there. He was competing all game. And I like that about him. “
“And he’s got an eye for goal and he’s got quality as well. So I was really impressed with him.
The last non-league player to feature for Wales also wore the red of Wrexham, a good omen perhaps for the Scouser. Steve Evans became the first non-league player to represent Wales for 76 years as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 defeat away to Russia in 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
Trying to replace the goals Gareth Bale scored for Wales is a near impossible task but fresh faces are bound to be required.
Taking a punt on Paul Mullin who continues to prove his quality stretches far beyond the National League could be fruitful for future Welsh success.
