Paul Mullin Meets McClean in Airport Reunion

Paul Mullin may have only just packed his boots for a season-long stay at Wigan Athletic, yet the prolific striker has already delivered his first talking point of pre-season. Strolling through Manchester Airport for a flight to Spain, the former Wrexham talisman literally bumped into close friend and ex-team-mate James McClean, who happened to be heading in the opposite direction with the Red Dragons’ tour party. Their impromptu reunion, immortalised in a smiling selfie posted by Wigan’s social-media team, offered supporters of both clubs a warm reminder of the bonds forged during Wrexham’s dramatic rise up the pyramid.

Paul Mullin takes his Wigan loan in stride

For Paul Mullin, the loan switch to the DW Stadium represents the next chapter of an already eventful career. The 30-year-old forward scored 91 goals in three whirlwind seasons at the SToK Cae Ras and became the face of Wrexham’s Hollywood-fuelled revival, fronting documentaries, shirt launches and open-top bus parades. Yet with Sam Dalby and Ollie Palmer thriving in League One, manager Phil Parkinson felt it was the right moment for Mullin to seek guaranteed minutes elsewhere. Wigan manager Shaun Maloney needed a proven finisher to spearhead his promotion bid, and Mullin’s availability ticked every box.

Why Wigan suits Mullin’s style

Unlike the direct, cross-heavy system Wrexham employed last term, the Latics are expected to press high and play on the transition. Mullin’s tireless running, intelligent channel movement and willingness to shoot early should dovetail nicely with Maloney’s philosophy. A debut cameo in a 4-2 friendly win over Southport already showcased flashes of that synergy, with Mullin flicking on for Thelo Aasgaard’s goal and later rattling the post from 18 yards. Fitness staff are monitoring his minutes closely after last season’s punctured lung scare, but all signs point toward a starting berth when the League One campaign opens in August.

James McClean and the Wrexham adventure

Back at Wrexham, captain James McClean has stepped comfortably into the leadership void left by Mullin. The Republic of Ireland international will front the club’s three-stop tour of Australia and New Zealand, a commercial expedition designed to expand the brand and toughen legs against A-League opposition. Sources at the training ground insist McClean’s influence in the dressing room has been “transformational,” particularly for younger wingers such as Ryan Barnett and Liam Hall. His close friendship with Mullin—cemented during late-night PlayStation marathons on away trips—explains the broad grins in that airport photo.

How the airport reunion unfolded

Eyewitnesses say McClean recognised Mullin first, calling out his name from across the duty-free hall. A brief embrace followed, quickly attracting camera phones and, inevitably, the official Wigan account. “You never know who you’re going to bump into at the airport,” read the playful caption beneath their handshake shot, accompanied by crossed-swords and airplane emojis. Within an hour, the post had racked up 250,000 impressions, evidence of the pair’s star power and the swelling appetite for behind-the-scenes football content.

Promotion ambitions on parallel tracks

The two clubs now chart divergent but equally ambitious trajectories. Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds has stated publicly that “the Premier League dream is real,” targeting a miraculous double promotion to reach the Championship by 2026 and the top flight soon after. Wigan, still recovering from financial turmoil and a three-point deduction last term, are desperate to end a three-season exile from the Championship. Paul Mullin is central to that mission; James McClean is no less crucial to Wrexham’s hopes of consecutive promotions.

Key fixtures where paths may cross again

Although the teams ply their trade in different divisions, an EFL Trophy clash or FA Cup draw could engineer another meeting on the pitch. Mullin has joked about “avoiding McClean’s two-footers” if that happens, while McClean retorted that he “knows every trick in Paul’s book.” Their banter only fuels speculation and adds narrative spice for broadcasters hunting cup upset storylines.

Paul Mullin and legacy beyond Wrexham

Leaving a club where chants of “Super Paul Mullin” once shook the Kop is never straightforward. Yet the striker has framed his loan as a chance to prove he can replicate his non-league and League Two scoring feats higher up the ladder. Wigan’s supporters, still nostalgic for the era of Hugo Rodallega and Ben Watson, believe they have found a new cult hero. If Mullin fires the Latics to promotion, Reynolds and co-owner Rob McElhenney will face an intriguing dilemma next summer: recall their icon for the Championship push or sanction a permanent switch?

Financial implications of the move

Sources close to the deal reveal Wigan are paying 80 percent of Mullin’s wages, with a promotion bonus clause inserted by Wrexham’s savvy directors. Should the Latics go up, Wrexham would receive an additional £200,000—money that could be reinvested in squad depth or further stadium upgrades. Mullin’s contract in North Wales still has two years to run, ensuring the Red Dragons retain control over his long-term future.

Fan reaction to Mullin’s airport moment

Social media erupted with good-natured debate. Wrexham fans wished him luck, reminding the forward that “once a Dragon, always a Dragon.” Wigan faithful flooded Mullin’s timeline with blue-and-white heart emojis, urging him to “bag 30 this year.” Neutral observers simply enjoyed the wholesome football content. In an era of agent tweets and contract stand-offs, two mates greeting each other en route to pre-season served as a refreshing reminder of the sport’s human side.

Looking ahead: pre-season priorities

Wigan’s squad will train at a camp in Alicante, facing Levante and Elche in quick succession. Maloney hopes to finalise his midfield trio and integrate new signing Liam Morrison from Bayern Munich’s reserves. Mullin’s finishing will be tested against La Liga defenders—an ideal barometer of his readiness for the physical grind of League One.

Meanwhile, Wrexham kick off their Australasian tour in Wellington before moving on to Melbourne and Brisbane. McClean will split time between left-back and left-wing, mirroring the dual role he expects to play in the league campaign. Manager Parkinson is keen to build chemistry between McClean and new arrival Max Cleworth, who returns from his loan at Crewe.

Final thoughts

Paul Mullin’s airport encounter with James McClean lasted barely ten minutes, but the image has already become a motif for the 2025-26 season: two friends, two clubs, one shared goal—promotion. Regardless of league boundaries, their journeys remain intertwined by mutual respect and a fierce competitive edge. Supporters should savour the wholesome snapshot, because the next time Mullin and McClean cross paths, handshakes could give way to hard tackles and high stakes.

Opinion

In my view, Mullin’s decision to accept a Wigan loan is gutsy and commendable. Too many players cling to comfort zones; he chose fresh challenges and a new city. If he maintains his ruthless streak, the Latics instantly become dark horses for automatic promotion. And should that happen, Hollywood writers in North Wales might just have another blockbuster subplot on their hands.