From Community Spirit to Global Spotlight: The Wrexham A.F.C. Story

Everyone loves a good underdog story. We mostly see them in Hollywood flicks. Whether it’s a tiny guy getting the girl against an army of jocks or a small-town boxer beating champs, underdog stories are great. It’s even better when you see such stories in real life, and that’s precisely what the Wrexham fairytale is.

For most people—even some football fans—this name means nothing. It first rose to prominence in 2020 when it was bought by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. They bought the team from North Wales with one goal in mind – to write a new chapter in its story in the best possible way.

A Passion for Football

Reynolds and McElhenney are friends who share the same passion for football. They thought long about investing in such a venture, and the decision eventually came to buying Wrexham A.F.C. in 2020. The pair were looking to invest in a club with a story. Wrexham’s story is one of the best there is in football. It’s the third-oldest club in the world as it was founded in 1864.

When rumors of the bid emerged, many players thought it was a joke. After all, Wrexham was not doing great. It was stuck in the fifth division of English football with no money or potential to go up. Bookies such as Grosvenor knocked the team down even more, not giving it great chances to move up the divisions. There was no Grosvenor bet offer available for this club like there is for the Premier League heavyweights, reflecting just how slim the odds were for Wrexham. The club was a long shot in every category until Reynolds and McElhenney came to the rescue.

Everyone was surprised to see the bid from the Hollywood pair. They presented their offer and vision for the club via a video pitch. They promised fresh investment funds, a new training facility, and the thing that impressed the management most – a pledge to always beat arch-rivals Chester. The takeover was approved by the Wrexham Supporters Trust who owned the club since 2011.

It was all complete by February 2021. Reynolds and his mate announced the takeover on social media to the delight of many fans. At the same time, Wrexham’s stock rose almost instantly.

A New Era

It didn’t take long before the takeover made the headlines in Hollywood circles. Big companies were suddenly vying to sponsor the team. Hollywood stars such as Will Ferrell and Hugh Jackman started visiting games. The crowds returned to the stadium, and it was clear that something magical was happening indeed.

The surge in popularity was also met with a great response from the team. The team went on to secure promotion to the fourth division, which was fully professional. Reynolds and McElhenney’s plan was working. The pair were overwhelmed by the success story, being caught on video celebrating in the stands.

The next year, Wrexham was promoted once again, this time to the third division. The team’s stock was rising, performances were getting better, and that attracted even more investment. Moreover, the supporters built a bond with the new owners, who could be seen in the stands as often as their busy schedule allowed it. News outlets even spotted them having a beer with some fans at a pub, which is not your usual owner behaviour.

A Documented Rise

At some point after the takeover, it was pretty clear that the new pair of Hollywood owners were going to put this success story on the big or small screen. It came in the form of Welcome to Wrexham, an FX sports documentary series which chronicles the team’s ascent. It started with season 1 in 2022, and has just received a renew deal for a fourth season. Just like the club itself, the series is a hit.

It goes without saying that it’s produced by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. According to the latter, the series was inspired by Sunderland ‘Til I Die, which also inspired McElhenney to buy an association football club. The series’ irreverent style is what draws crowds to watching it. It bashes the mistakes of the new owners and makes fun of them struggling with the Welsh language.

However, overall, it follows the club’s success story from day one to the present day.

A Golden Opportunity for the City

Wrexham’s story is a golden opportunity for the city itself, not just the club. With a population of under 50,000, this is precisely the kind of boost that can help tourism in Wrexham grow. Since 2020, it has been like an explosion of positive things. Former Wrexham football Neil Roberts saw an investment opportunity, taking advantage of the golden era by opening his new pub Vault 33.

He says that the new owner’s duo inspired him to follow his dreams. They’ve given the city of Wrexham hope and aspirations. For now, the new ownership delivered (and over-delivered) on every promise. Roberts hopes that they inspired others to invest, even if it’s a bit of a gamble. Wrexham is not a tourist destination, but thanks to Reynolds and McElhenney, it can be.

The club’s stature grew all over the world, putting the city on the global map. Business experts are impressed at the positive financial impact, and are praising the new ownership for making it happen.

Others to Follow?

As said at the beginning of this article, everyone loves a good underdog story. Wrexham’s story is as underdog as there’ll ever be. It has rose from the depths of amateur football to professional level, and many are adamant that the club’s ascent will continue. It wouldn’t be a surprise considering the new ownership’s investment attractions and how passionate they are to make the club succeed.

It’s not just Wrexham – there are plenty of underdog stories out there. The only thing missing are storytellers like the Wrexham duo that can reshape the history of a club. In a time where sheiks buy clubs for money we can’t measure, stories such as Wrexham hold a lot more value. Here’s hoping others will be inspired by this story.