As far as football careers go, there’s one former Wrexham player who’s played here, there and everywhere, and who seems to have scored goals wherever he’s played.
Wrexham’s history is a rich one. But there’s no doubting that we’re living in the club’s golden age right now, under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac who’ve helped put the club on the global map.
Phil Parkinson and the players deserve huge praise for Wrexham’s three-straight promotions, of course. But none of it would’ve been possible without the savvy marketing of the club’s owners, which has helped make the club a whole lot of money.
But 20 years ago, money wasn’t in abundance. Wrexham had to rely on free transfers and loan signings much more than they do now, and one loan signing that proved a hit was Matt Derbyshire.
Matt Derbyshire was a goal machine for Wrexham, but where is he playing now?
Football fans of the last 20 years will have surely heard his name. Derbyshire, now 39, began his career with Blackburn Rovers but is arguably better known for being one of the early English players to really try to make their name abroad, playing for the likes of Olympiacos, Cypriot side Omonia and Australian outfit Macarthur FC too.
Derbyshire also had prolific spells back in England with Nottingham Forest and Rotherham United.
| Club | Games | Goals |
| Blackburn Rovers | 86 | 20 |
| Plymouth Argyle | 13 | 0 |
| Wrexham | 16 | 10 |
| Olympiacos | 36 | 15 |
| Birmingham City | 20 | 3 |
| Nottingham Forest | 51 | 12 |
| Oldham Athletic | 20 | 6 |
| Blackpool | 11 | 0 |
| Rotherham United | 74 | 18 |
| Omonia | 118 | 66 |
| Macarthur FC | 27 | 14 |
| AEK Larnaca | 26 | 8 |
| NorthEast United | 8 | 1 |
| Bradford City | 23 | 2 |
Earlier in his career, Blackburn sent Derbyshire on loan to Wrexham where he scored 10 goals in just 16 League Two games. That stint alone earned him a new two-year deal at Ewood Park and the following season he scored five in 22 Premier League games for Rovers.
Nowadays, after stints back in Cyprus and then in India, Derbyshire plays his football for seventh-tier side Matlock Town in the Northern Premier League Division One East.
Wrexham can be a stepping stone again, with benefits for both teams
Stories like Derbyshire’s are certainly interesting. He played for so many clubs and had some very good spells, making 76 Premier League appearances with 10 goals, as well as playing in the Champions League with Olympiacos.
And it’s a reminder that Wrexham can be a great stepping stone for players earlier in their career. Although a long time ago, Wrexham are now in a better position to be that stepping stone: benefiting the player and their parent club, whilst Wrexham themselves get a good young player for a season.
Already this summer, it’s been reported that Wrexham want to sign Premier League players on loan, though that could come later in the summer when the Dragons and the Premier League clubs too have done the bulk of their permanent transfer business.
Who knows; we could even see another Derbyshire-type player arrive on loan and bang in some goals before going on to big things.
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2025-07-10 19:15:00