For when the dust settled on Bury’s promotion from the EFL’s bottom tier in 2018-19, the scale of the club’s financial plight came fully into focus. The Shakers never did kick off the following season in League One and with deals to take them over falling through, the EFL expelled them.
Fortunately, Cork-born defender O’Connell was able to begin the season in the third tier after all, making the switch to Rochdale. However, he admits the whole episode was ‘a difficult time’.
“It was a strange one,” he recalled. “Everyone celebrated, but you had it in the back of your head that we probably wouldn’t be able to go into League One.
“I was there for two years and it was pretty obvious even in my first year that there were a lot of issues. It was clear there was trouble coming – the writing was on the wall.”
At least O’Connell shouldn’t have any similar worries this time around. He is, after all, on the books of Wrexham, the ambitious north Wales club who are cutting a swathe through English football under the ownership of their Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Having won the National League title last term in a season-long duel with Notts County, who went on to win the play-offs, the Red Dragons made sure of back-to-back promotions with a thumping 6-0 victory against basement side Forest Green Rovers at an ecstatic Racecourse Ground last weekend.
While Rovers head to the National League, Wrexham are looking forward to third tier football for the first time since 2005. The crowds are flocking in, sponsorship has gone through the roof and the Welcome to Wrexham documentary series has brought the club new fans from all over the world.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
I'd still want to keep Pat on side
Patrick Bamford has always been a player who divides opinion amongst Leeds supporters.
WHITES & THE BLADES SPEED ON
LEEDS and Sheffield United maintained their pace at the top of the table with comfortable home victories - but Sunderland slipped off the summit.
BAILEY: WE'LL GIVE POPPIES THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE
OWEN Bailey knows exactly how pumped up seventh-tier Kettering Town will be when Doncaster Rovers roll into ramshackle Latimer Park today.
TOWN EARN THEIR CORN!
HARROGATE mon Weaver breathed a sigh of relief after his side edged past Gainsborough Trinity at a rain-sodden Exercise Stadium.
OH MY JOSH - O'S KEEPER IS THE HERO!
RICHIE Wellens praised keeper Josh Keeley as Leyton Orient reached the third round following a dramatic win over National League Oldham.
'IT HASN'T BEEN MY WHOLE FOCUS AND THAT HELPED ME
SHAUN Barker never attempted to conceal the fact that he had no burning desire to play football.
MATT'S BOYS SHOW CLASS
WYCOMBE side-stepped a tricky second round fixture by defeating Wealdstone at Grosvenor Vale.
LUKE SEETHES OVER SLOPPY SWANS START
LUKE Williams admitted he gave his players the hairdryer treatment at half-time after seeing them come into the break trailing against bottom of the table Portsmouth.
UPSET FOR HARRIS AS TYLER HITS STUNNER
Neil Harris insisted the fact that Millwall were bitterly disappointed to claim only a point shows the progress his side have made over the past 10 months.
ANTE AT THE DOUBLE FOR ON-SONG CITY
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup paid tribute to the home fans after watching his side come through a tough test against Luton to win comfortably in the end.
