Ruddy, Forde and Bodvarsson: Wolves and Wrexham 'played for both' XI

Ahead of Wolves' Championship trip to Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday lunchtime, the Express & Star has picked a starting 11 made up of players who have represented both clubs over the years.

From Molineux promotion heroes and Premier League goal scorers to players who helped Wrexham's remarkable rise through the divisions, here is our 'Played For Both XI' for Wolves and Wrexham.

Goalkeeper: John Ruddy

Wolves: 2017–2022 and 2026–present (72 appearances) , Wrexham: 2007 (5 appearances)

Starting between the sticks is John Ruddy, who became a popular figure at Molineux during Wolves' return to the Premier League under Nuno Espirito Santo.

The former Norwich City goalkeeper arrived on a free transfer in 2017 and immediately established himself as first choice, keeping 24 clean sheets as Wolves stormed to the Championship title with 99 points. His performances earned him the division's Golden Glove award and a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Year.

Ruddy subsequently spent four seasons providing competition for Rui Patricio and Jose Sa before leaving for Birmingham City in 2022. He returned to Wolves in August 2026 after two years at Newcastle United, bringing valuable experience to the goalkeeping department.

His connection with Wrexham dates back almost two decades, when he joined the Welsh club on loan from Everton in February 2007. Ruddy made five League Two appearances during a short spell at the Racecourse Ground before returning to Goodison Park.

Defender: Aaron Hayden

Wolves: 2015–2019 (0 appearances), Wrexham: 2021–2024 (94 appearances)

A product of Wolves' academy, Aaron Hayden spent several years at Molineux before going on to become an important figure in Wrexham's rise through the divisions.

The centre-back signed professional terms with Wolves in 2015 but never managed to break into the senior league side, instead gaining experience through loan spells at Newport County, AFC Telford United and Stourbridge.

Hayden eventually left Wolves for Carlisle United in 2019 and impressed sufficiently to earn a move to Wrexham two years later. He became a regular under Phil Parkinson and developed a reputation for scoring important goals from set pieces, helping the Red Dragons win the National League title in 2022/23.

He remained at Wrexham for their return to the Football League and was part of the squad that secured another promotion in 2023/24, before returning to Carlisle that summer.

Defender: Mickey Evans

Wolves: 1964–1966 (0 appearances), Wrexham: 1966–1979 (383 appearances)

One of the older names in this starting 11, Mickey Evans began his professional career at Wolves during the 1960s before enjoying a lengthy association with Wrexham.

The Welsh defender joined Wolves as an apprentice in 1963 and signed professional forms the following year, but was unable to force his way into the first team during a period of transition at Molineux.

Evans moved to Wrexham in 1966 and went on to spend more than a decade at the Racecourse Ground, establishing himself as a dependable presence at right-back.

He became one of the club's longest-serving players, making hundreds of appearances and helping Wrexham secure promotion from the Fourth Division in 1969/70 and the Third Division title in 1977/78.

Defender: George Showell

Wolves: 1955–1965 (200 appearances), Wrexham: 1966–1968 (48 appearances)

A member of Wolves' golden generation under Stan Cullis, George Showell enjoyed a successful decade at Molineux before finishing his Football League career with Wrexham.

The Bilston-born defender progressed through Wolves' youth ranks and became part of a squad that dominated English football during the late 1950s, winning consecutive First Division titles in 1958 and 1959.

Showell also featured in Wolves' 1960 FA Cup final victory over Blackburn Rovers at Wembley, helping the club secure another major trophy during one of the most successful periods in its history.

He left Molineux for Bristol City in 1965 before joining Wrexham the following year. Showell made 48 appearances for the Welsh club, scoring once, before bringing his playing career to a close.

Midfielder: Ian Arkwright

Wolves: 1977–1980 (4 appearances), Wrexham: 1980–1984 (104 appearances)

A product of Wolves' youth system, Ian Arkwright began his professional career at Molineux in September 1977, but struggled to establish himself in the first team.

The Barnsley-born midfielder made his senior debut as a substitute in a 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers in September 1978. He started the following three matches but never featured for Wolves again, making just four appearances before leaving the club.

Arkwright joined Wrexham for £100,000 in March 1980 and enjoyed considerably more first-team football at the Racecourse Ground, scoring 10 goals in 104 league appearances across four seasons. He later spent time on loan at Torquay United before continuing his career abroad with Finn Harps in Ireland and HIK in Finland.

Midfielder: David Jones

Wolves: 2008–2011 (75 appearances), Wrexham: 2021–2023 (5 appearances)

A key member of Wolves' Championship title-winning side in 2008/09, David Jones joined the club from Derby County in the summer of 2008 as Mick McCarthy strengthened his midfield.

The former Manchester United youngster quickly established himself alongside Karl Henry, with his passing ability and creativity providing an important balance to Wolves' midfield. He scored four league goals during the promotion campaign, including a memorable free-kick against Stoke City earlier in his time at Molineux.

Jones remained part of the Wolves squad following their return to the Premier League and helped the club secure survival in successive seasons before leaving for Wigan Athletic in 2011.

A decade later, he joined Wrexham as the club began its ambitious push back towards the Football League under new owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Although his playing opportunities were limited, Jones remained involved with the club's coaching set-up during the early stages of their resurgence.

Midfielder: Darren Ferguson

Wolves: 1994–1999 (117 appearances), Wrexham: 1999–2007 (310 appearances)

The son of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Darren Ferguson spent five years at Molineux after leaving Old Trafford in 1994.

The Scottish midfielder arrived with a Premier League winner's medal to his name, having featured for Manchester United during their inaugural Premier League title-winning campaign in 1992/93.

Ferguson was brought to Wolves by Graham Taylor but struggled to establish himself as a consistent first-team regular, making 117 league appearances before leaving in 1999.

He subsequently joined Wrexham, where he enjoyed a far more settled spell and became an influential figure in midfield. Ferguson helped the Red Dragons win promotion from the Third Division in 2002/03 and lift the Football League Trophy in 2005, before eventually moving into management with Peterborough United.

Midfielder: Anthony Forde

Wolves: 2011–2014 (28 appearances), Wrexham: 2022–2025 (61 appearances)

Republic of Ireland youth international Anthony Forde came through Wolves' academy and made his senior breakthrough during the club's final season in the Premier League under Mick McCarthy.

The winger made his league debut against Chelsea in November 2011 and was handed further opportunities as Wolves struggled to avoid relegation from the top flight.

However, Forde found first-team chances increasingly difficult to come by following the club's successive relegations, and he eventually departed for Walsall in 2014 after spending time on loan at Scunthorpe United.

After spells with Rotherham United and Oxford United, Forde joined Wrexham in 2022 and became part of Phil Parkinson's promotion-winning side. Operating as a wing-back, he helped the Red Dragons secure the National League title in 2022/23 before remaining with the club during their return to the Football League.

Forward: Jon Dadi Bodvarsson

Wolves: 2016–2017 (48 appearances), Wrexham: 2024–2025 (7 appearances)

Icelandic international Jon Dadi Bodvarsson arrived at Wolves in August 2016 following his country's remarkable run to the quarter-finals of the European Championship.

The striker had been part of the Iceland side that famously knocked England out of Euro 2016 and joined Wolves from German outfit Kaiserslautern as the club began its first season under Fosun ownership.

Bodvarsson made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut against Rotherham United before finding the net again in a victory over Birmingham City. His tireless running and physical presence made him popular with Wolves supporters, although he managed just three Championship goals during his solitary season at Molineux.

He left for Reading in 2017 and later enjoyed spells at Millwall and Bolton Wanderers before joining Wrexham on a short-term deal in October 2024. However, his opportunities were limited and he made just four league appearances before moving to Burton Albion in January 2025.

Forward: Liam McAlinden

Wolves: 2013–2016 (19 appearances), Wrexham: 2021–2024 (64 appearances)

A product of Wolves' academy, Liam McAlinden made his senior breakthrough during the club's League One title-winning campaign under Kenny Jackett.

The Cannock-born striker made his first-team debut towards the end of the 2012/13 season and was handed further opportunities following Wolves' relegation to the third tier.

McAlinden featured during the club's record-breaking promotion campaign in 2013/14, although competition from the likes of Nouha Dicko and Leigh Griffiths restricted his playing time. He subsequently spent time on loan at Shrewsbury Town, Fleetwood Town and Crawley Town before leaving Molineux in 2016.

After spells with Exeter City, Cheltenham Town and Morecambe, McAlinden joined Wrexham in 2021. He became a useful squad player under Phil Parkinson and was part of the side that secured the National League title in 2022/23, before departing in 2024.

Forward: Steven Fletcher

Wolves: 2010–2012 (68 appearances), Wrexham: 2023–2025 (77 appearances)

Completing the starting 11 is former Scotland international Steven Fletcher, who enjoyed two prolific seasons at Molineux before going on to play an important role in Wrexham's rise through the Football League.

The striker joined Wolves from Burnley in June 2010 for a then club-record fee of around £6.5million and quickly established himself as one of Mick McCarthy's most dangerous attacking players.

Fletcher scored 10 Premier League goals during his debut campaign, including important strikes as Wolves narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the season. He followed that with another 12 league goals in 2011/12, although his efforts could not prevent Wolves from finishing bottom of the Premier League.

His performances earned him a reported £12million move to Sunderland in August 2012, and he went on to enjoy spells with Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke City and Dundee United before joining Wrexham in September 2023.

Despite arriving towards the end of his career, Fletcher became a valuable option from the bench under Phil Parkinson. He scored 16 league goals across two seasons and helped Wrexham secure successive promotions from League Two to the Championship before leaving in 2025.