WREXHAM Football Club, under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney for the past two years, has captured global attention with their captivating ‘Welcome To Wrexham’ series. The club’s rise to fame has been nothing short of remarkable, especially considering their recent tour of the United States after clinching the National League title.
The ambitious owners have expressed their ultimate dream of reaching the Premier League, a vision that Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson fully supports. Drawing inspiration from Luton Town, a club that successfully climbed from non-league to the top-flight in a fairy-tale rise spanning nine years, Parkinson sees no reason why Wrexham can’t aim for the same heights. “I think that when you look at teams like Luton who go up, you’ve got to say why not?” Parkinson remarked, emphasising the potential for Wrexham’s success.
Parkinson is cautious not to get carried away with such lofty ambitions and highlights the importance of building the club on solid foundations, just as Luton Town did. He believes that Wrexham can follow in the footsteps of other success stories like Bournemouth, who battled near bankruptcy before ascending to the Premier League under Eddie Howe’s management, and Blackpool, who also enjoyed top-tier football. The message is clear – Wrexham has the potential to achieve great things.
Despite their exciting prospects, the focus for Wrexham at the moment lies on the start of the season. The club has recently ended their 15-year exile from the English Football League by winning the National League title in a thrilling race against Notts County. As they gear up for their first League Two match against MK Dons on August 5, the team is currently on a pre-season tour in the United States.
During their tour, Wrexham faced Chelsea in a high-profile friendly, drawing over 50,000 fans in North Carolina but experiencing a 5-0 loss. They also had a convincing 4-0 victory against LA Galaxy II and are set to play against Philadelphia Union II before their return. The tour has not only allowed the team to showcase their talents abroad but has also provided club co-owner Rob McElhenney a chance to watch his beloved team play in his hometown.
In the midst of their overseas journey, Wrexham will have a notable friendly against Manchester United’s Under-21 side in San Diego at a sold-out Snapdragon Stadium. Parkinson, acknowledging the enthusiasm and positivity surrounding the club in the Wrexham area, recognises the impact of a successful team on the community. He believes that the success on the pitch is vital, but equally crucial is the duo’s effort in building a strong foundation for the club’s future sustainability.
As Wrexham prepares for their League Two debut and continue to dream big, one thing remains evident – the footballing world is watching the rise of this historic club with keen interest. With dedicated ownership, a passionate fan base, and aspirations reaching for the Premier League, Wrexham’s journey from non-league to the top tier will undoubtedly be one to watch closely.
