Wrexham Celebrates Five Years of Transformation Under Reynolds and Mac

Wrexham FC is celebrating the fifth anniversary of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ acquisition of the club, a move that garnered global attention. Since their takeover, the Welsh side has undergone a remarkable transformation, achieving three consecutive promotions that have propelled them into the Championship. Currently, under the leadership of Phil Parkinson, the team finds itself in the final playoff spot, keeping alive the aspiration of reaching the Premier League.

In 2023, goalkeeper Ben Foster emerged from retirement to contribute to the club’s successful bid for promotion to the English Football League. He has praised the club’s extraordinary ascent, stating to the Press Association: “Unlike clubs like Salford City, where former footballers dominate management with pre-established notions of what works, Wrexham’s ownership is unique. Rob and Ryan had no prior experience managing a football club, yet they invested not just financially, but also their personal passion and commitment. If you were to ask them what they are most proud of, I believe Wrexham would rank among their greatest achievements. Transforming something they initially didn’t fully comprehend into what it is today is truly remarkable.”

Foster further emphasized Wrexham’s unprecedented journey: “Their rise is extraordinary; non-league to promotion and now competing for playoff positions at this level is an incredible feat. I predicted a year or two ago that they’d reach the Premier League within three to five years. Although advancing past the Championship will be challenging due to its competitiveness and financial demands, they are building the right foundation by empowering the manager to recruit the right players.”

Looking forward, Reynolds and McElhenney emphasize that success should not only be defined by on-field accomplishments. McElhenney expressed to The Athletic: “Our goal is to attract people who will contribute to revitalizing Wrexham through the arts and business, establishing a sustainable model that benefits the town economically. From the beginning, we aimed to create a sustainable framework. Current financial realities reflect decades of neglect in infrastructure. We are planting seeds today to ensure that Wrexham can thrive for the next 50 to 100 years. While winning the Premier League and Champions League are goals, our ultimate measure of success is the prosperity of the town. If Wrexham as a community does not benefit while we succeed, we have not achieved our mission.”

As of now, Wrexham occupies the final playoff position in the Championship after 31 games and is determined to maintain this status throughout the season. The focus will soon shift to the FA Cup, with a fourth-round match against Ipswich Town scheduled for Friday night. Following that, Wrexham will resume Championship play with a crucial match against Bristol City just four days later, where they are only one point and two places ahead of their opponents.