Wrexham set for tense return in Carabao Cup after 'shove it on the documentary' comment
Wrexham are set for a tense Carabao Cup battle with Sheffield United in the first round following a tense 2023 FA Cup replay clash.
The Red Dragons forced Sheffield United to a fourth-round FA Cup replay in the 2022/23 season following a blockbuster 3-3 draw at the Racecourse Ground. The return fixture at Bramall Lane was quite a sight, too, with the two teams level at 1-1 heading into added time at the end of 90 minutes.
Anel Ahmedhodzic had opened the scoring in the 50th minute - but Wrexham's superstar striker Paul Mullin drew the visitors level nine minutes later from the penalty spot. The Blades did avoid embarrassment, though, thanks to club legend Billy Sharp, and Sander Berge, who netted in the 94th and 96th minute to see off the then National League high flyers.
However, the aftermath of the close FA Cup affair was in the spotlight, after Sharp told Wrexham players to “shove it on the documentary” in a tense tunnel face-off. In a post-match interview, Sharp accused the Wrexham players and staff of being disrespectful.
Sharp said: "I thought there was a lack of respect towards us. Whoever runs their Twitter account wants to be careful because they thought they were playing Spurs before they beat us. There were a few comments from their players which I won't say, they know who they are. I'm glad we've beaten them tonight.”
Wrexham defender Ben Tozer offered an in-depth perspective of the on-goings in the tunnel after the game, including comments over the club's "Welcome to Wrexham" docuseries on Disney+. “I feel like a bit of a dampener has been put on the game with the way they’ve acted in the tunnel. They showed a real lack of humility,” defender Tozer said.
But that’s the way they want to be and I feel like if we won that game we would’ve shown a lot more humility and respect. They should show more respect to us. They were telling us to ‘shove it on the documentary’.”
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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson expressed his disappointment over Sharp's conduct
Tozer added: "I feel like he’s [Sharp] fabricated stuff in his head to make that acceptable for himself if I’m honest. I said to him face-to-face, ‘show a bit more humility’. We’ve congratulated them on the win, we haven’t sulked, we’ve walked down the tunnel as normal and it’s just a shame that that’s the way it’s ended.”
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson also admitted his sadness over Sharp's conduct. "The way their players celebrated was a mark of how tough we made it for them," Parkinson said. "My message to Billy is: you’re better than that. My players are humble people and they’re a credit to the football club.”
However, Sharp won't be involved in the Carabao Cup tie. The 38-year-old has joined Doncaster Rovers of League Two ahead of the 2024/25 campaign following short spells at LA Galaxy and Hull City after leaving the Blades. Rovers and Wrexham faced off against each other twice last season, both winning a game each. However, the Red Dragons won promotion to League One, a second consecutive promotion under Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, and manager Parkinson.