Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who acquired Wrexham in a surprising move in 2021, harbored the dream of elevating the struggling club to the lofty heights of the Premier League. This ambition seemed far-fetched at the outset, but the dream now appears to be within reach. Recently, Wrexham secured its place in the second-tier Championship after clinching a 3-0 victory over Charlton, marking their third successive promotion. Here’s an overview of how Wrexham, once mired in financial difficulties and fan-owned, found itself in the spotlight through a remarkable journey.
When rumors first emerged that two Hollywood celebrities were interested in purchasing a soccer team from a lesser-known Welsh city with a population of 45,000, many dismissed it as a lark. Nevertheless, Ryan Reynolds, known for his role in the “Deadpool” series, and Rob McElhenney, creator and star of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” were genuine in their intent. They convinced the club’s supporters of their commitment to transforming the team into a “global force” during a Zoom conference. Following their presentation, they took ownership of Wrexham for $2.5 million, starting an extraordinary journey.
The initial challenge Wrexham faced was breaking free from the non-league structure, specifically the National League, which lies beneath England’s four professional divisions. This had been Wrexham’s home since 2008. The task was daunting but under the new celebrity stewardship, Wrexham appointed a seasoned manager, Phil Parkinson, and began bolstering its roster, bringing in prolific talents like striker Paul Mullin. However, their first season ended with Wrexham finishing as runners-up in the National League, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion, followed by a heartbreaking semifinal playoff loss to Grimsby.
Adding to their late-season misfortunes, they also faced defeat in the FA Trophy final at Wembley, with Reynolds and McElhenney present. Nonetheless, the subsequent season proved successful for Wrexham as they overcame fierce competition from Notts County to claim the fifth-tier championship with a record points total. The defining moment came with a 3-2 win over Notts County, highlighted by a crucial last-minute penalty save by Ben Foster, a former Manchester United goalkeeper who returned from retirement for the short term. This triumphant season inspired the continuation of “Welcome to Wrexham,” their Emmy award-winning TV series chronicling their dive into soccer club ownership.
Following their dramatic ascension, Wrexham faced new challenges in League Two but fared impressively well. The team received a boost from experienced former Premier League players such as Steven Fletcher, and the home ground regularly saw increased attendance, surpassing 12,000. The enthusiasm of the supporters was matched by an influx of significant sponsorships from high-profile brands, including United Airlines and Aviation American Gin. Wrexham delivered another stunning performance under manager Parkinson, achieving promotion at the first attempt after a commanding 6-0 win over Forest Green, which ignited wild celebrations as they finished the season right behind Stockport County. This marked the first instance in its 159-year history that Wrexham earned back-to-back promotions.
With newfound optimism, on and off the pitch, Wrexham experienced a transformation into an attractive tourist destination, drawing fans and curiosity from both sides of the Atlantic. As the club prepared for its return to League One for the first time in almost twenty years, it posted record financial turnover and was valued significantly higher than previous years. The club’s remarkable ascent did not require the services of their top-scorer Mullin, as the arrival of new strikers like Sam Smith kept their promotion ambitions alive.
Witnessing their ascent, Ryan Reynolds attended the victorious game against Charlton, even engaging with fans by serving drinks at The Turf pub adjacent to the ground before partaking in the ensuing revelry post-match. The team claimed a second-place finish, closely following Birmingham, another club with high-profile ownership ties, and earned its place in the Championship, revisiting a division it last competed in during 1982.
Looking to the future, Wrexham aims to ascend yet further to the prestigious Premier League. However, they must initially navigate a challenging Championship filled with clubs recently relegated from the Premier League, such as Ipswich and Southampton. Wrexham’s executive, Humphrey Ker, has indicated the pressing need to increase the wage bill significantly to remain competitive in this highly competitive league. Yet, there is confidence that Reynolds and McElhenney will reinvest, driven by the continued success of their “Welcome to Wrexham” series.
The refurbishment of Wrexham’s historic Kop stand is also underway, anticipated to conclude by the end of the next season, enabling the stadium to potentially host qualifying matches for Wales’ men’s national team. All eyes now turn to upgrades in player talent, with speculations about attracting stars like Jamie Vardy to join the club’s ranks.