Phil Parkinson has issued a defiant message to Wrexham fans: the Dragons will come back even stronger next season after their Championship play-off dream slipped away on the final day.

In a season that defied all expectations, Wrexham finished seventh in their first campaign back in the second tier after 43 years away. A dramatic 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough, combined with Hull City's 2-1 win over Norwich, left the Red Dragons two points shy of sixth place. But for Parkinson, this is just the beginning.

"In terms of what the lads have given us as a group, I don't think we could have had much more," said the manager. "This squad, as it stands, with a full pre-season together will be even stronger next year. Of course we'll look to add to that, but we'll have a break now and come back and go again."

The numbers tell a remarkable story. Wrexham's 71-point haul represents their highest-ever league finish, and for the first time in 25 years, they were the best-performing Welsh side in the English Football League. From the National League to knocking on the door of the Premier League in just three seasons—this is a club on an extraordinary trajectory.

The final day was a rollercoaster. Tommy Conway put Boro ahead inside four minutes, but Josh Windass levelled with a sublime free-kick. Sam Smith's header then gave Wrexham the lead, only for David Strelec to equalise for the visitors. News from Hull filtered through in waves—Derby's loss to Sheffield United briefly offered hope, but the Tigers' victory sealed Wrexham's fate.

"The supporters have been brilliant with me and the staff ever since I've been here," added Parkinson. "We've all got a determination to keep the momentum going the right way. There's so much to be positive about for this football club going forward."

For a team that has captured the imagination of football fans worldwide, this near-miss feels less like a heartbreak and more like a statement of intent. The foundations are laid. The future is bright. And Wrexham will be back.