Exclusive: An Interview with Football Icon Lee Trundle
Lee Trundle is widely regarded as an authentic legend of the EFL, particularly during his memorable spells at Welsh clubs Wrexham and Swansea City. Still scoring goals and entertaining fans in the Cymru South with Trefelin BGC these days, Lee Trundle was keen to share his experience and insights, during this exclusive Online-Casinos.com interview.
You obviously played for Wrexham for three years. Fast-forward to now and the club is completely transformed. What do you make of their evolution? And can they go up once again?
Lee: It’s outstanding. What an incredible transformation. The club was in the National League for years and then Ryan and Rob have put in good investment and their enthusiasm has been excellent.
They have turned the club around as with many bad times, Wrexham is now back on the map in a big way. They can go up, but must not get too ahead of themselves.
It’s a tough division, but I don’t think there is so much difference between League 2 and League 1, so apart from Birmingham City, who have spent big, Wrexham are a confident team and they can do well this season.
Winning games of football becomes a habit, and the team have it and never know when they are beaten. This has and will continue to help them on the pitch. Credit to the manager as well, Phil Parkinson has done a great joy.
Class is permanent !!! @LeeTrundle10 #UppaTref pic.twitter.com/RH8nYXRyvi
— Trefelin BGC (@trefelinbgc) August 28, 2024
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are what you’ve previously described as ‘dream owners’. Have you ever spoken to the pair? Would you love to return in some capacity in the future?
Lee: I haven’t yet, though I would like too. It’s great to see what they have done for the club. The buzz around Wrexham is real and the fans are excited as is the whole community. The bad times are now behind the club and they can look forward.
I was out with the squad in pre-season with the tour and do some match day hospitality for the club and it’s so good to see the faces of the fans now which is full of excitement. I will continue to be involved with Wrexham, but as it stands, I am ambassador at Swansea so this will take priority.
You obviously plied your trade in Wales. Are Wrexham now arguably a bigger club than Swansea, another one of your old teams?
Lee: No, not yet. Swansea played 7 years in the Premier League, had a great period of being in the top division of English football and had many good results against top teams and also winning the League Cup in 2013.
Now they are a team who are comfortable in the Championship with a good support. Wrexham are on the up, coming back into the Football League from the National League and now after promotion from League 2, they have started the season well in League 1. But Swansea are still bigger.
What was the highlight of your own career? And what do you make of your reputation as a football cult hero?
Lee: I came into football and 24 and it all started for me then. I had a good career and many highlights at Swansea, Wrexham and Bristol City especially. It’s great to be remembered as a cult hero.
I gave everything on the pitch and sometimes it did involve a few tricks and skills and Soccer AM were always a big fan of it, which highlighted me more. I was lucky with the managers I played under that I was able to influence games the way I did.
UNREAL ??????
Lee Trundle’s Control > pic.twitter.com/QI7rVMgKnW
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) January 21, 2023
What have you learned from the experience from being a youth coach and a club ambassador at Swansea City?
Lee: Simply, treat people with respect. This is so important. It goes such a long way. It gives confidence to the players and also it allows them to go and express themselves.
Trust is key as well. You need players to be able to play with no fear so they know they have the trust to express themselves with nothing to worry about.
To be an ambassador at Swansea is great. I spend time on match days with fans and they all have different memories of my time there and recall stories, of which everyone has a different story. I am proud to be the ambassador of the club as I had good times there.
Is coaching a part of your future plans?
Lee: I am still playing in the Welsh League and while I am feeling fit and healthy I will continue to do that, but yes, coaching is important, so I am looking to give something back from those who have helped me.
I do some coaching and will continue to look at ways to stay in the game as it’s great to work with young strikers and help them with their game. I am involved at Swansea so If I can help the youngsters improve as strikers then this will be great.
What was the most enjoyable part of your career at Swansea City?
Lee: I have a big passion for the club and had a great time at Swansea. Scoring over 70 goals was great and playing with a smile on my face. I had good managers while I played at Swansea and as a confident player, this helped.
The fans were onside, so you play for them and play for the team. I enjoyed every part of my time at Swansea and scoring so many goals was great and every goal meant something to me.
Do you think your former side Wrexham can achieve another promotion after another strong start to this season?
Lee: Absolutely, I don’t see why not. I don’t think there is a massive difference between League 2 and League 1 and winning becomes a habit and you can see the confidence in the team and the fans and they don’t fear anyone.
Birmingham have invested heavily and they are a big danger, but Wrexham have started well and this really helped you settle into a new league. Strikers are scoring goals and defensively they aren’t conceding many which is very important.
It’s a long season, but with the support they have and also credit to Phil Parkinson who is doing an excellent job, it’s a happy club and the squad are all in it together.
Llongyfarchiadau/congratulations to Phil Parkinson, who has been named Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for August ??
??? #WxmAFC
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) September 13, 2024
Welsh Premier League side The New Saints secured a qualifying spot in the UEFA Champions League, but lost out to Ferencvaros in the qualifying stages. How do you feel about the growth of the league and do you believe that the league can become more competitive, or has it reached its highest level?
Lee: Yes, it’s a growing league and The New Saints performances only go to show this.
It’s always tough given the finances, but with good coaching and players coming through the clubs, there is always a possibility that finances can grow if a player is sold for a decent amount, that can then be redistributed in the game in Wales and The Welsh Premier League. The national team performing better will also help.
The New Saints’ striker Brad Young secured a move to Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Have you watched him play at all and do you think it was a good move for him?
Lee: I have seen him play a little and this is great for him and his family. It’s not the Premier League, but financially it’s going to secure him and he can go and play in Saudi and enjoy his football.
Good luck to him, he can go there for a few years and get settled and look to show what he can do.
What are your thoughts on Wrexham’s aims to play a regular league game in the United States? Do you think it will happen in the near future?
Lee: It’s an ambitious thought, but it all depends on EFL rules. You can’t do for one and not another, so unless the EFL change their rules I don’t see this happening anytime soon.
I like it though and it takes the game outside of the UK and also brings Wrexham more eye balls as well. Football is growing in the US, or Soccer as they call it and with Birmingham also having US investors, the lower level teams are becoming wealthy.
Final Word
Our thanks to Lee Trundle for taking the time to share his thoughts. He thoroughly enjoys his ambassadorial role with Swansea City, the progress of Welsh football, plus keeping tabs on the meteoric rise of Wrexham. And the legendary player isn’t quite ready to hang up his boots just yet, eager to score more goals for Trefelin BGC.
You can follow Lee on X (formerly Twitter) via @LeeTrundle10, where he regularly shares his activities and banter with fans.
