Lee Trundle reflects on Wrexham, Swansea City, Bristol City and Leeds United | OneFootball

FLW has been speaking exclusively to Lee Trundle

When the topic of 'streets don't forget' footballers resurfaces online, as it often does, it's only a matter of time before someone mentions Lee Trundle.

The forward was nothing short of a magician and one that remains revered by many EFL supporters, not least fans of Wrexham, Swansea City, and Bristol City given the brilliance he showcased at their clubs.

He cut his teeth in non-league football before making the move to Wrexham in 2001. Joining Swansea two years later would bring the best out of him as he dominated opposition defences – scoring 87 times and providing 29 assists as he helped the club rise up the divisions before leaving for Ashton Gate.

While he was unable to reach those levels for the Robins, his talent was still clear to see and he provided some memorable moments in Bs3. A loan move to Leeds United was a little more forgettable before Trundle returned for one final spell with the Swans.

He's had a journeyman career since and the 47-year-old is still plying his trade, and producing magic, in Cymru South for Trefelin BGC.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, via online-casinos.com, Trundle has reflected on his EFL career and had his say on some key issues facing his former clubs this term.

The evolution at Wrexham AFC is clear to see

Plenty has changed at Wrexham in the 20-plus years since Trundle's spell at the North Wales club.

It's a time he looks back at very fondly, as he told FLW: "Wrexham was a good experience for me. Playing over 90 times for the club over a few seasons was excellent. It’s a good club, the foundations are there and it has a good history.

"My time was good, I enjoyed my football and scored goals. Every time I go on the pitch, I give 100% and the fans can see that which helps create a good bond. My style of play adapted and you always learn things from new managers, the way the team played was suited how I played, so it was a good time at Wrexham."

The club's rise under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has made them a club recognised across the globe and helped them climb from the National League to the League One promotion race.

Trundle has heaped praise on the owners and admitted that he'd love to have played for the club in this new era.

"Absolutely," he said. "I have been on tour with the team, not met the lads in person, but I know they have made a massive impact in Wrexham. The evolution of the club is evident, but it is more than that.

"They care, they have given the faith to the Coach and this has a positive effect on the players. They have recruited well and confidence is so high. The team believe they can win every game and this is massive.

"To play in a team like they have today would be amazing. The crowd are hugely passionate and it’s a wonderful place to be right now. They believe they can progress and have hungry players."

Despite only going up last term, the Red Dragons are top of League One and have made their promotion aspirations clear in the opening weeks of 2024/25.

Phil Parkinson has won two promotions already with Wrexham and is hunting for a third but has not been without his detractors. Trundle had a message for those that still doubt the current boss.

He said: "He is most definitely proving doubters wrong. Some were unsure of him in National League and look at what a top job he has done to ensure that promotion and then follow up with League to success and now a positive start to League One.

"I do think there isn’t such a big difference between League Two and League One, but you still need to go out and get the results. But full credit to Phil and his coaching team. The players are doing it on the pitch, they understand the instructions and style of play and as I said, they believe they can win every game, they don’t give up and keep fighting."

Lee Trundle would've loved to play under "front foot" Luke Williams at Swansea City

A player like Trundle would seem a fantastic fit for the attacking style of play that Luke Williams has introduced at Swansea.

The former Swans favourite has admitted he'd love to have played under Williams and has suggested his former club could challenge for the play-offs this term.

"I enjoy watching Swansea play. The free-flowing football is excellent on the eye and it’s great that the team are playing on the front foot.

"I absolutely would have loved it and to score goals for Swansea in any team is great. It’s such a touch League, so many teams with big budgets and squads, but you see with Ipswich Town, it can be done. So let’s hope the team can gain some momentum in a long season and reach the play-offs and then we see from there."

Swapping Swansea, who were desperate to keep him, for Bristol City was a controversial move and Trundle has revealed he was jumped at the chance to return to South Wales later on in his career.

"It was a difficult decision," he said.

"Four years and over 140 appearances, I had an excellent time at Swansea and felt at home. The environment was good for me so this helped on the pitch, but the opportunity came and then it was time to move on.

"Swansea always had a place in my heart and it was good to go back for a second time. The special relationship with the club and fans is evident, so it was a no brainer to be able to back and play at Swansea."

Though there were great moments, it wasn't all plain sailing during Trundle's time with Bristol City.

In search of more opportunities, the forward headed out on loan to Leeds United in January 2009 but he lasted just two months at Elland Road before returning to the South West.

Though the 47-year-old admits that was a difficult period for him, it's not a decision that he regrets.

He said: "You have to take a chance if a move comes up. Leeds United is a massive club, huge support, massive heritage, and big history. It was a move that I felt at the time was right to get more football, but as said before, It just wasn’t a move that lasted long, so for all parties was best to return to Bristol City.

"It was a difficult loan move for me. It wasn’t as fluid as I would have liked and hoped. So a few months at Leeds with just 10 appearances and a single goal. It’s not always easy with a loan move to impact straight away and be a regular in the side. So after a few months, I went back to Bristol City. Leeds is a massive club and although hopes were high, sometimes it just doesn’t happen."

Liam Manning needs to build Bristol City momentum after disappointing Tommy Conway exit

Bristol City had high hopes for the 2024/25 but have endured a difficult start to Liam Manning's first full season at the helm.

The exit of academy product Tommy Conway, who was sold to Middlesbrough in a deal worth around £5 million, was one of key talking points from their summer and Trundle has backed their approach, even though he was disappointed to see the young striker move on.

He said: "Yes (it was disappointing to see him go). I had seen him play and he is an exciting player.

"Naturally, you want home grown players to succeed, but now the Championship is tough a tough division and with some clubs having bigger budgets, you have no choice but to let them move on if it balances the books.

"Maybe the fee could have been higher, but I believe this fee has helped the club and they can be stable in the Championship and look to keep bringing through good young prospects and pick up a bargain or two in the next couple of transfer windows. The Club is in a good footing, stable in the Championship, but there is always that ambition.”

Pressure is growing on Manning on the back of consecutive 3-0 defeats, against Derby County and then Blackburn Rovers, but Trundle believes he only needs a few results to turn the tide.

“It’s a young squad and the Championship is tough," he said. "It’s a slog and as a manager your ideas must be fresh. With games coming thick and fast, you have to get the best players out most of the time as if levels drop, anyone can beat anyone in this League. You can beat a Leeds or Burnley and lose to a Plymouth.

"The team are a middle of the Championship side and if they can get momentum, win a few on the bounce then there can be excitement around the place.”