Paul Mullin of Wrexham, who is now well-known throughout the world because of the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ television series, has come a long way from his Liverpool academy days.
When Steve Cooper, who would go on to become the manager of Nottingham Forest and Leicester, released the striker, his hopes of playing for his beloved Reds were dashed. Cooper oversaw Anfield’s youth system at the time, and Mullin’s mother even boldly predicted that he would one day “regret” letting her son go.
In his autobiography “My Wrexham Story,” Mullin, who scored close to 200 goals in his senior career in the Football League and National League, discusses his difficult beginning.
He criticized how playing out of position hampered his development during his time at Liverpool’s academy.
“As time passed at the academy, it seemed as though they were unable to see what was right in front of them,” he said. According to one report, I should work on my right foot more. They didn’t realize I was right-footed because I was so at ease with my left foot.”
I had little opportunity to demonstrate my ability as a creative football player who could contribute significantly on the offensive end because I was stuck at left-back. Steve Cooper, who would later lead Nottingham Forest to the Premier League, was the coach who informed me that Liverpool was letting me go.
“He had repeatedly used me as a left-back. His news did not impress Mum. As she was leaving, she looked at Cooper. “You’ll be sorry,” she said to him.
Then she turned to face me. “Come on, buddy.” The Liverpool Echo reports, “And off we went.”