Wrexham, a Welsh soccer club owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has secured promotion to the English Football League (EFL) system for the first time in 15 years. The club won the Vanarama National League title with a 3-1 victory over Boreham Wood, with two goals from striker Paul Mullin in the second half. This win means Wrexham earns a spot in the EFL League Two next season, ascending from the fifth tier of the English football pyramid.
Hollywood Investment and Commercial Interest Boost Wrexham
Reynolds and McElhenney purchased Wrexham, the third-oldest professional soccer club in the world, for £2 million ($2.5 million) in November 2020, despite having little prior knowledge of the sport or North Wales, where the club is based. However, the Hollywood investment and commercial interest resulting from the popularity of the behind-the-scenes Disney+ documentary series “Welcome to Wrexham” helped build the club’s following around the world. This investment also provided a financial boost that enabled Wrexham to attain promotion at the second time of asking.
Promotion to EFL Highly Lucrative for Small Clubs
Promotion to the EFL is highly lucrative for small clubs, and Wrexham will receive a payment of £1.1 million from the EFL. Reynolds and McElhenney have promised to reinvest a substantial portion of the winnings in player bonuses and vowed further investment in the club’s infrastructure, including the construction of a new stand at the stadium. The Hollywood stars attended the game at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground on Saturday along with fellow actor Paul Rudd and were seen in tears as thousands of fans flooded the pitch at the full-time whistle.
In a Twitter post on Sunday, Reynolds said: “Everything I own smells like champagne, beer, and grass. I’m still somewhere between giggling and sobbing. This town and this sport is one of the most romantic things on earth. Thank you, Wrexham AFC.” McElhenney, star of hit comedy series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” also tweeted a video of the pair’s reaction at the full-time whistle, saying: “You can see something leave both of our bodies at the same time. And then we’re filled back up with an indescribable amount of joy and gratitude.”
Leave a Reply