Wrexham captain Dominic Hyam calls FA Cup tie with Chelsea an “amazing distraction”

• Wrexham host Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round this weekend

• Captain Dominic Hyam says the match is an “amazing distraction” from their promotion push

• The Welsh club hope to create another historic moment after eliminating Nottingham Forest

Wrexham captain Dominic Hyam says Saturday’s FA Cup fifth round match against Chelsea offers the club an “amazing distraction” from their promotion campaign.

Phil Parkinson’s side have strengthened their hold on a Championship play-off place after winning three successive league games. Wrexham are chasing what would be a remarkable fourth consecutive promotion, but their attention will briefly shift to the FA Cup as they host the Club World Cup winners in north Wales.

Hyam believes the opportunity to face elite opposition is exactly the type of occasion players work toward.

“It could be deemed as a distraction, but what an amazing distraction it is,” Hyam said.

“You want to play against the best teams and the best players. It’s what you work hard for, playing against Premier League teams in the FA Cup.

“Hopefully we can be there one day and be a Premier League team playing someone in the FA Cup too.”

Hyam joined Wrexham from Blackburn in the summer and scored his first goal for the club in the FA Cup third round against Nottingham Forest. That tie finished 3-3 before Wrexham progressed with a 4-3 victory on penalties.

The win against Forest already stands as one of the club’s biggest modern results. Wrexham now hope to add another memorable chapter against Chelsea.

The club’s most famous FA Cup triumph came in 1992 when they defeated Arsenal while playing as a Fourth Division side. Parkinson’s current squad has already knocked out one Premier League team this season and Hyam said the players have drawn inspiration from the club’s history.

“Before the Forest game, the gaffer showed us a lot of clips on the history of Wrexham and some of the big games that happened here many years ago,” Hyam said.

“Hopefully we can use that now, having beaten Forest as another example, so it’s another opportunity to create our own history.”

Hyam’s own career journey mirrors the steady rise Wrexham have experienced in recent seasons.

The defender began his career in Reading’s academy before spending time on loan with Hemel Hempstead, Basingstoke and Dagenham & Redbridge. He later moved to Coventry City, where he helped the club secure promotions from League Two to the Championship.

Reflecting on that path, Hyam said experiences earlier in his career have given him a deeper appreciation for opportunities such as Saturday’s FA Cup tie.

“I think it’s really important to remember what your past self has done, and what Dom of 10 years ago might be thinking of how Dom is now,” he said.

“Every opportunity I get, I put 100 percent into every game that I have and I think it’s really good to appreciate your journey.

“Not every season and every game is plain sailing, you’re going to make mistakes, you’re going to learn along the way, but it’s the belief and the drive that you have internally that I think just keeps you going.”