“”It's a beautiful novel, it's a beautiful story». Saturday afternoon, the race Ground vibrated as rarely in its history. While sweeping Charlton Athletic (3-0), Wrexham AFC validated his ticket for the Championship, second English division, a first since 1982. The final whistle has triggered chaotic but moving jubilation scenes: supporters invading the lawn, songs out of voice, hugs with players and, in stands, Wet, savoring this long -less feat.
Since their acquisition in 2020 by the actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mcelhenney, Wrexham has experienced a dazzling trajectory. Far from being a simple media blow, the project led by the two celebrities has proven ambitious and structured, with a clear vision: to hoist the oldest Welsh club in the history of English football in the elite. Three successive promotions later, the dream becomes tangible. The documentary series “Welcome to Wrexham“, Broadcast on Fxcaptivated the world public, but it is in the field that Red dragons have the most impressed, chaining solid success and performance. On Saturday, the script seemed almost written for Hollywood.
Ryan Reynolds, accompanied by his wife Blake Lively, did not hesitate to mingle with the supporters, even serving some pints in neighboring pubs before the meeting. At the end of the match, the actor did not leave the lawn, savoring every second of this historic day. Paul Mullin, Ollie Rathbone and Sam Smith, scorers of the day, were acclaimed as heroes, while manager Phil Parkinson, discreet but fundamental craftsman of this climb, stressed ” A dream come true ».
A beautiful sports story
Since the takeover, Wrexham has indeed experienced an impressive ascent. Under the leadership of Phil Parkinson, appointed in 2021, the club left the National League after 15 years of waiting, before climbing in League Two. After a disappointing first season with elimination in the semifinals of the dams, the following season was memorable: Wrexham won the title of the National League with a nice total of 111 points, ending a long absence in the League.
This rise in power did not stop there. In League Two, Wrexham continued its progress, obtaining a second place and a new ticket for the League One. Their journey in the England Cup, with victories against championship clubs like Coventry and a heroic performance against Sheffield United, added to the club's reputation. “” I think it's a matter of collective. The owners have arrived and did an extraordinary job, I am very happy for them because they deserve it “Said Parkinson after these exploits. The club is thus on the right track to make its sports ambitions.
Beyond the field performances, the owners play a key role in the success of Wrexham. “” They invest in all decisions, but they trust us in our decision -making, and that's why we have been successful in the past three years. There are many ways to provide support as a owner: this may be to make sure that we get a key player when it matters most, but also to provide support when the results are not as good as you want, while allowing us to do our job. This is what they have always done. “Said Parkinson. This mutual confidence between management and the team, associated with ambitious management, allows the club to cross the successive stages, while continuing to dream big for the future. The road to the Premier League is still long, but Wrexham is now on a trajectory that seems unstoppable.
A success also economical and marketing
The growing popularity of Wrexham in the United States has enabled the Welsh club to record a record turnover of 26.7 million pounds sterling, a spectacular increase of 155 % compared to the previous year, according to The Guardian. Wrexham, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mcelhenney, said he generated more than half (52.1 %) of his revenues outside of Europe – mainly in North America, over the year ended June 30, 2024. The previous year, this share was only 24.6 %. Sign of a craze that crosses the borders.
The club stressed that this spectacular progression was closely linked to the exhibition effect generated by the documentary series ” Welcome to Wrexham “, Whose new season is being filmed. “” Although the documentary does not contribute to a direct financial return for the club, it offers an incredible global exhibition for the Wrexham brand and provides the club with a unique marketing platform which can be monetized by offering a television exhibition to our partners “, Specifies the Bbc. Television and sponsorship income will continue to grow in Championship, which places Wrexham in a favorable position. As a reminder, Sky Sports has acquired the broadcasting rights of the English second division for 595 million pounds (668 million euros) over five years, an agreement that benefits clubs like Wrexham directly.
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