Wrexham FC, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney ...

23 Apr 2023

Sky News

Wrexham will be in the Football League once again next season after a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood.

The crucial three points secured on Saturday means the Red Dragons have gained automatic promotion from the National League to League Two, with a game to spare.

Wrexham were bought by Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia co-creator Rob McElhenney in November 2020.

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrate with the National League trophy

Image: Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrate with the National League trophy

Footage shared on social media showed the actors embrace, with an emotional McElhenney appearing to wipe tears away from his eyes after the final whistle was blown.

Deadpool star Reynolds said he was "a little speechless" following the game, while McElhenney said the experience had been the "honour" of his life.

Reynolds told BT Sport: "One thing that's running through my head over-and-over again is people said at the beginning: 'why Wrexham, why Wrexham?' this is exactly why Wrexham.

"What's happening right now is why."

McElhenney, speaking about the crowd, said: "I think we can hear how it feels to the town and that's what's most important to us.

"I think this is a moment of catharsis for them and celebration and for us to be welcomed into their community and to be welcomed into this experience has been the honour of my life."

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'It's been a long time coming'

One fan hailed them for making "dreaming possible" as the club got the happy ending they hoped for.

The club was congratulated on their win by the Prince of Wales, who posted on the Kensington Royal Twitter account: "Congratulations @Wrexham_AFC! A club with such amazing history, looking forward to a very exciting future back in the Football League. Doing Wales proud. W."

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William shared a post by the club saying: "We are champions! After 15 years, we are back in the football league!"

Reynolds revealed how he was "terribly nervous" ahead of the pivotal game at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground stadium in north Wales.

He and McElhenney were among a crowd of more than 10,000 - including fellow actor Paul Rudd, who delighted supporters with an unexpected visit to the nearby Turf pub.

The Wrexham co-owners celebrate their side's third goal during the match

Image: The Wrexham co-owners celebrate their side's third goal during the match

Wrexham's Elliott Lee celebrates scoring the first goal of the game which concluded 3-1

Image: Wrexham's Elliott Lee celebrates scoring the first goal of the game which concluded 3-1

Read more:
Hollywood star drinks beer ahead of crunch match
Ryan Reynolds 'terribly nervous' as he arrives to watch promotion bid

Since it was purchased for $2.5m (£2m) in 2021, the third-oldest football club in the world has gained international recognition and new fans all around the world.

Wrexham's budget and spending has dwarfed that of their National League rivals, with reports suggesting more than £10m has been ploughed into restructuring the club from top to bottom.

Training facilities have been improved with a new performance gym built on the ground's premises, while there has also been major investment in the squad on transfer fees and wages, in a bid to lure strikers Ollie Palmer and Paul Mullin away from Football League clubs.

Wrexham's Paul Mullin (second left) celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game