Wrexham’s Remarkable Journey: Five Years of Success Under New Ownership

Wrexham currently sits in sixth place in the Championship, securing the final play-off promotion spot. The Welsh club has experienced a remarkable resurgence from non-league status, largely due to the support of owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds. Marking the five-year anniversary of their arrival in Wales, Reynolds shared a message on social media, stating, “Five years, feels like we’re just getting started,” alongside a video montage showcasing significant moments.

Wrexham has also commemorated this milestone on social media, with former goalkeeper Ben Foster asserting that their extraordinary rise is unprecedented. He commented, “At Salford City, you have footballers managing the operations who understand how to run clubs. This can sometimes foster a mindset of what won’t work. While Birmingham boasts wealthy owners, Wrexham’s situation is different. Rob and Ryan entered the football world with limited knowledge but with a willingness to invest both financially and personally. Their personal engagement is something rarely seen in this industry. I believe if you asked them, their pride in Wrexham would rival their achievements in acting or business. Transforming something unfamiliar into a thriving entity is commendable and extraordinary.

“It’s astonishing and likely to remain unmatched. Their journey from non-league to successful promotions, currently sitting in a promotion position at this level, is remarkable. A year or two ago, I predicted they would reach the Premier League within three to five years. However, ascending from the Championship is a formidable challenge, given its competitiveness and financial demands. Nevertheless, they have approached it correctly, empowering the manager to recruit players who align with the club’s vision.”

Phil Parkinson has played a pivotal role in Wrexham’s ascent through the leagues, and the owners have stated that he has a permanent position as long as he desires it. McElhenney remarked, “I struggle to find the words to accurately convey how essential Phil has been to Wrexham’s narrative and success. Ryan and I frequently discuss this, and I cannot foresee a scenario where Phil Parkinson is dismissed—it simply does not make sense. He has been the architect of our success, and, in our view, he holds the job for life unless he chooses to pursue another opportunity. We genuinely feel this way and have always been transparent about our sentiments.”

He continued, “From day one, our objective has been to establish a sustainable model. If one examines the current economics of the club, it is inherently unsustainable due to the lack of infrastructure built over generations. Our goal is to plant the seeds now, ensuring success not just in the immediate future, but also laying the groundwork for the next 50 to 100 years. While I aspire to see us win the Premier League and the Champions League, our ultimate aim is to ensure that Wrexham as a community thrives alongside our successes; otherwise, we have failed.”

Wrexham is set to compete against Ipswich Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup before resuming Championship action against Bristol City next week.