Ollie Rathbone pulls the famous Phil Foden and Three Lions joke on Wrexham teammate Dan Scarr after the 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.
Fans are perplexed about whether to call it Wrexham’s comeback or Ollie Rathbone’s return, which has changed the tide of the season. And rightly so, for the duo’s success has been so overlapping that even an injury can’t part them until the end.
Note that, ever since Ollie’s injury comeback, Wrexham’s fortune has seen them register a “DLWWW” on the back of 3 winless games. That can’t be a coincidence, given how he’s directly contributed to 7 points of that total.
A screamer to save the day against Watford, a calm winner against Preston, and a van Basten finish against Blackburn, Rathbone averages a goal per 40 minutes this season. Noticing how this is happening not long after the last year POTY rallied cry for regular game minutes, makes it surreal.
Simply summed, while everyone wishes to be one, Rathbone’s been god’s favourite child lately. And the funny part is, those who saw him yesterday can’t even deny this speculation.
Everywhere & every time, there wasn’t a moment when Rathbone was not to be seen.
No Dragons fan can explain how, despite getting fouled brutally, Rathbone didn’t just get back on feet, but would bury a goal of the season in the Rovers’ net. And that’s definitely not forgetting how even his random clearances would end up creating chances for striking partner Sam Smith.
Ollie pulls out classic joke on Dan Scarr
Well, this New Year’s Eve ought to be announced as Ollie Rathbone’s day. After dropping a masterclass on-field, the makeshift forward wouldn’t miss on a timely joke that must’ve given fans an all-time memory.
Captioning his volley goal in a MOTM-winning performance, Rathbone wrote on Instagram: “Happy New Year @danscarr putting it on a plate!”
Wrexham fans who regularly follow England’s national team would instantly get the context. But for those who missed it the first time, it’s an iconic joke touted for the exaggeration of a mediocre assist on a Puskas-worthy goal finish.
Turning back the pages of X timeline, England’s admin originated it while downplaying Eze’s blitz curling finish on the back of a moderate Phil Foden pass. The tweet read: “2-0 to the ThreeLions! @PhilFoden puts it on a plate for @EbereEze10 who effortlessly guides it into the top corner.”
Obviously, that would be followed by various pundits and fans criticising the admin’s move, calling him out downright there.
Again, it’s easy to guess that Rathbone’s humour at Scarr’s assist on his goal is just a cheeky dig. Wrexham’s side is more than united, with no one left undermined or undervalued in the squad.
Rathbone’s Blackburn show was all about fans’ happiness
More than impressed with Ollie’s volley to decide the 2026 opener, this headline reads self-explanatory. But while the attacker’s evening was a sublime display for the fans, even his exit must’ve made many content.
Not only because the away crowd demanded a substitution for the rough fouls that had Rathbone limping many times. Also, because his exit paved the way for their homegrown star, Harry Ashfield.
Let’s be all honest here. Just like Wrexham’s highly rotated lineup, Parky surprised all fans with this Ashfield surprise. Definitely, all loved what followed in a short but impactful cameo from the youngster.
Having grown habituated to witnessing an academy graduate, Max Cleworth play regularly except here, something would’ve felt missing if not for Ashfield’s display. And what better than this? Given that the 19-year-old prodigy made his Championship debut on New Year’s Eve.
In a nutshell, everything that went through Rathbone turned to gold yesterday. Being the most in-form Wrexham player, 2026 is speculated to be his year by the fans. Another POTY loading? Maybe.
