Current Owners
The proposal to the supporter’s trust included promises such as; immediate investment of over £2 million to improve the current squad and fix any everlasting problems to the stadium. Money was also made available to invest in the women’s team and other community projects within the club.
“This is the third-oldest club on the planet and we don’t see why it can’t have a global appeal,” Claimed Reynolds. “We want Wrexham to be global force.”
With the hope of bringing a greater exposure to the club, the American actors made the decision to create a docuseries for the newly launched streaming platform Disney+ called ‘Welcome To Wrexham’ The series followed the transition of the club takeover including all the highs of Hollywood stardom to the potential lows of being Non-league football club owners.
Founded in 1864, Wrexham AFC is the third oldest football club in the world. The town is well known for its industrial history with steel production and coal mining being the primary industries in the Welsh town. Though in recent years the town in the north-east of Wales has taken a big step forward into the modernised world with significant changes moving away from heavy industry with new industries coming to light such as high-tech manufacturing, finance and professional services and an improved town centre.
The club was previously owned by fan group named ‘the Wrexham supporters trust’ who took over following a turbulent couple of years under past owners Geoff Moss and Ian Roberts. The pair experienced many financial difficulties during their reign at the Welsh club leading the club into administration in 2011 after 7 years in charge.
Although the club were not actively looking for investment in 2020 the supporters trust released the exciting news that Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds and Its Always sunny in Philadelphia star Rob McElhenny were looking to become the new owners of the National League side. This led to a vote amongst the supporters and with over 95% of the vote going in the favour of the American actors’ the talks were underway.
Following the pitch by Ryan and Rob over 2000 members voted with 1,809 approving. This result, 98% in favour opened the door to the Hollywood stars taking over with 100% ownership of the club.
Title Winning Campaign In Numbers
The oldest international stadium still in operation may have a gaping hole at one end, but this season, Wrexham has used it as a virtual fortress.
Wrexham won at home for the 22nd time this year—out of just 23 league games—by coming from behind to defeat Boreham Wood and achieve promotion. Wrexham earned 67 of a possible 69 points at home, only losing in a 2-2 draw with Woking on Valentine's Day.
Wrexham scored 74 goals in front of the club's devoted fans, which is more than 20 fifth-tier teams have scored in any venue this season.
With a stunning 111 points—four more than Notts County in second place—Wrexham's promotion from non-league was one of the most impressive in recent years. They are now preparing for their first attempt in League Two since the 2007–2008 campaign.
On Easter Monday, the thrilling National League season's pivotal game took place at Wrexham's illustrious Racecourse Ground. This season, Notts County and Wrexham have engaged in a fantastic jab-jab, thrust-thrust contest for automatic promotion.
This season, the two clubs have traded the lead in the National League standings an absurd 14 times. With a wild 3-2 victory over the Magpies on the bank holiday, Wrexham finally moved above Notts County.
In circumstances that have become typical under the present ownership, it was a crazy contest.
Can Wrexham Make The Step Up?
Since the takeover we have seen the Hollywood duo make signings that would usually be way out of Wrexham's reach. The first being striker, Paul Mullin who left newly promoted to League 1 Cambridge United for non league Wrexham in 2021. In 53 games with the Red Dragons in 2022–23, Mullin scored an incredible 47 goals helping them to a record breaking title winning season. The next on the list would be Ollie Palmer, who also swapped League 1 for non league football AFC Wimbledon for Wrexham in January 2022 for a record £300,000.
Probably the biggest profile of signing is former Manchester United and England keeper who returned to the Welsh club after 18 years away from the club. The former Watford man called time on his playing career following the end of his deal with the Hornets. He made a return to Wrexham when the clubs first team keeper Rob Lainton picked up a knee ligament injury ended his season. Wrexham recently announced the 40 year-old has re-signed for the club for their League 2 campaign.
Following the record breaking campaign last season, the red dragons are currently one of the bookies favourites to get one of the automatic promotion spots to league 1. Manager Phil Parkinson has the team playing some incredible football which the non league clubs couldn't live with. Many analysts believe if the club make the right signings and get off to a good enough start there's a very good chance we could see back-to-back promotions at the Racecourse ground.
How do you think Wrexham will fair in League 2 next season
Image references: Wrexham Football Club Owners (abrahamcunningham686rumor.blogspot.com)
MATCH REPORT | Wrexham AFC vs Sheffield United - News - Wrexham AFC
FA CUP TEAM OF THE SEASON | Paul Mullin and Ben Tozer selected - News - Wrexham AFC
INTERNATIONAL NEWS | Jacob Mendy receives his first Gambia call-up - News - Wrexham AFC
'This story isn't finished yet' - what next for Wrexham after play-off heartache? - BBC Sport
Ryan Reynolds to Wrexham striker Palmer: Put a shirt on - BBC News
BEN FOSTER | "I’ve never joined a football club and felt at ease so quickly" - News - Wrexham AFC
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