Wrexham gear up for promotion push with new striker Jake Hyde
22.07.2021
Wrexham AFC made good on their Twitter hints by signing Jake Hyde, a 31-year-old centre forward, from fellow National League side Halifax. A day after tweeting that ‘objects in mirror are closer than they appear’ with the Wrexham crest and a signature emoji, the club announced the new signing along with an interview foreshadowing the season ahead.
Of the several clubs inquiring after poaching marksman Hyde, the striker called Wrexham ‘the only option for me’, due to the club’s compelling ‘ambition’ and ‘aspiration’. Of course, at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground, this ‘ambition’ is laser-focused on promotion to the EFL, a feat they narrowly missed out on last season. Hours after missing the playoffs by a single point, the club’s superstar owners hired a new manager and began commissioning a raft of new playing talent, including Jake Hyde. This places the experienced centre forward at the cutting-edge of a fresh and formidable squad.
Hyde’s career boasts experience in the National League and across the EFL, starting from his academy days at Swindon, then a League 1 side. After winning Swindon’s young player of the year award, Hyde starred up front for fellow EFL sides including Stevenage and York. Since travelling from League 2 into non-league with Barnett, Hyde hopes to make the reverse journey with his new club.
His goal record, 13 goals in 27 appearances with Halifax last season and similar stats the two previous seasons with Woking, shows the potential to do just that. Asked to define his role up front, Hyde simply stated ‘goals. I just want to get in the box’. New Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson expressed belief in Hyde’s fox-in-the-box talent, asserting that ‘he’s got know-how and we’re really pleased to get him on board’.
No matter what size it is, Jake Hyde’s undisclosed transfer fee reveals an investment in the club and its journey forwards. Fully aware of Wrexham’s sleeping giant status, Hyde committed to ‘grow this football club and take it back to where it should be’. Fans and neutrals alike eagerly await Hyde and his new colleagues' imminent campaign, as they make their fate on the pitch this season.
