Steve Parkin believes his former club Stoke City will have "high hopes" of securing a return to the Premier League as Wrexham prepare to face the Potters at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST). Mark Robins' side have made an impressive start to their campaign and sit fifth in the early-season Championship table. "It's a long time since I was there but they've always been a club that, certainly over the last 10 or 15 years, that have touched on Premier League and Championship high-end football," said Wrexham assistant boss Parkin.
Steve Parkin believes his former club Stoke City will have "high hopes" of securing a return to the Premier League as Wrexham prepare to face the Potters at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST).
Mark Robins' side have made an impressive start to their campaign and sit fifth in the early-season Championship table.
"It's a long time since I was there but they've always been a club that, certainly over the last 10 or 15 years, that have touched on Premier League and Championship high-end football," said Wrexham assistant boss Parkin.
"The owners have been incredible in the amount of money that they've put into the football club to try and strive to get them there (to the top flight).
"I know their training facilities are second to none so they will have high hopes of getting back into the Premier League I'm sure."
Former defender Parkin spent six seasons with the Potters in the 1980s before spells with West Bromwich Albion and hometown club Mansfield Town.
And the 59-year-old is looking forward to being reunited with several faces from his past as Wrexham bid to extend their five-game unbeaten run.
"It'll be slightly different in terms of the ground, it was the Victoria Ground when I played there, which I've got a lot of fond memories of," added Parkin.
"I know a lot of people in and around the area and I've kept in touch with them.
"They're all getting on a bit now obviously seeing as it's 35 years ago [since I left Stoke], but some of them are still close friends.
"It'll be nice to go back and I'm hoping to bump into a few old faces."
Category: General Sports