WREXHAM AFC, the historic Welsh football club owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has embarked on a thrilling pre-season summer tour of the United States. The tour promises to be an exciting experience for the fans as the team is set to play four matches in just ten days, showcasing their talents on the international stage.
The tour opener in North Carolina was a challenging encounter for the newly promoted League Two side, as they faced Premier League giants Chelsea. The Red Dragons, however, were determined to make their mark and bounced back in their next match, where they secured an impressive 4-0 victory against Los Angeles Galaxy II in Carson, California. Notably, Wrexham fans, donning their iconic red shirts, outnumbered supporters of the MLS reserve team, Galaxy II, demonstrating the passion and dedication of their fanbase during the second match of the club’s four-match ‘USA Invasion’ tour.
Among the onlookers, taking in the thrilling scenes from the sidelines, was Wayne Jones, the owner of The Turf pub and a breakout star of the documentary series “Welcome to Wrexham.” The show chronicles the captivating journey of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s takeover of the club since November 2020. Speaking to reporters at halftime, Jones expressed his delight at being in the United States, stating, “We’ve had an incredible welcome, and we’re absolutely stoked to be here. It’s such a brilliant city and massive compared to what we’re used to.”
Jones further emphasized the remarkable transformation of the club, noting how far they have come since their humble beginnings. He remarked, “Every day Wrexham fans wake up and pinch themselves because we’ve had a real rough ride in the past two or three decades, so to be where we are now is incredible.”
Despite the newfound fame and adoration from fans, Jones remains grounded and focused on the community and the football club. He humbly stated, “I don’t see myself as a celebrity; I just work at a bar. I see myself as a humble, down-to-earth, working-class guy. We’re on the rides of our lives at the moment, but ultimately what we care about is the community and the football club, and if both of them are thriving, which both appear to be, we will embrace it.”
Looking ahead to their upcoming matches, Wrexham is set to face Premier League giants Manchester United in their third match of the tour. The match is highly anticipated, especially after legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson previously joined Reynolds and McElhenney in a spoof video call to promote the friendly. The clash against the Red Devils will take place at the impressive 35,000-capacity Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.
Finally, the Welsh team will wrap up their USA tour with a visit to Chester, Pennsylvania, for a match against Bethlehem Steel, the second team of MLS side Philadelphia Union.
As fans eagerly await the global streaming release of season two of “Welcome to Wrexham” in early September, the club’s journey from a small Welsh town to Hollywood ownership continues to capture the imagination of football enthusiasts worldwide. The newfound success and international exposure serve as a testament to the passion and dedication of the Wrexham community and their illustrious owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
