Welcome to Wrexham

Our town’s club, Wrexham AFC, is one which already has a number of important dates in its history.

On the pitch they include beating FC Porto in September 1984 and Arsenal in January 1992, the famous Anderlecht games of 1976, or our origins back in 1864 when the newly formed ‘Town Club’ decided to take on 15 members of the local fire brigade after buying a football.

Off the field a High Court victory over Alex Hamilton in October 2005 and fans raising more than £100,000 in 24 hours in August 2011 helped ensure the club’s ongoing survival.

And who could forget the day supporters voted by an overwhelming majority to approve the takeover to new custodians Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in November 2020.

However, today could arguably have a bigger impact than all of those as “Welcome to Wrexham” airs to millions via FX on Hulu in the US, on Disney Plus in the UK, and around the world.

No secrets were made about the existence of the fly-on-the-wall documentary when the takeover went through, although it led to many debates about whether the new owners were only buying the club as a vehicle for making a show.

Whatever the reality, and it’s worth asking yourself whether two well-known Hollywood names would need to go through the expense and heartache of owning a football club just to make a documentary, it’s safe to say they’re definitely now in love with the club, sport and town.

But what impact exactly will the documentary have? The pre-launch publicity has already put the word Wrexham on the lips of people who would probably never have heard the name otherwise.

Mr. Edward Manners speaking at a dinner held on Tuesday 4th October 1864

With billboards appearing everywhere from a bus stop on Mold Road to New York cabs, the staggering PR campaign strikes home just how big of a deal this is going to be.

We already know the people of Wrexham play a key part in the documentary. Could the Turf become an unlikely spot for a tourist selfie as people flock to see landlord Wayne Jones following his starring role?

Or will we have to queue out of the doors of the Butcher’s Market to grab a DVD off Rob Clarke from Mad4Movies after his cameo?

For the most part, it seems likely that the impact will be a highly positive one, lending a profile to the club and town it couldn’t possibly have hoped to achieve just a few years ago.

Eyewatering merchandise sales and a new global fanbase seem likely to follow.

Some big commercial opportunities have already been secured since the takeover, with the name of the TikTok emblazoned on the club’s shirt, and more will no doubt materialise after the release of the documentary.

It’s hard not be nervous though as something you’ve loved for many years is exposed to a wider audience.

It’s like when the band you’ve followed since they played in tiny venues suddenly starts selling out arenas.

Friends and family who you could never get to come to matches before may have already started showing an interest.

Tickets will inevitably become harder to come by and there’s a risk some diehards could be side-lined in the hunt for glory.

It’s a risk Rob and Ryan are only too aware of themselves as they stand on the Racecourse pitch in an early episode of the documentary and discuss a version of the Wrexham story where they end up becoming the villains.

A new Kop, not a DIY megastore.

In their defence, they’ve hardly set out to build a B&Q on the hallowed turf for personal gain like Hamilton or construct some ugly student flats on the car park for their own profit like the infamous tantastic travel agent and that builder from Ruthin.

Spades are in the ground as work has started to get a new Kop built, the clearest sign yet that we are not only staying at the Racecourse but set to improve the stadium via an epic well-considered redevelopment.

If Rob and Ryan’s clear passion translates into achieving the return of the club towards its former glory, or even surpassing it, then we will be in safe hands.

So, for now let’s sit back, grab some popcorn and try and enjoy the ride as a story previously known mainly by those within the confines of North Wales suddenly becomes familiar to millions.

Welcome to Wrexham, Croeso i Wrecsam

(If you want to visit the area check out NorthEastWales.wales which will give you ideas on what else to see, stay and do as well as check out the reds! If you can’t make it, at least get some official merch from WrexhamAFC.co.uk‘s online shop. )

Top pic: Two Wrexham lads.