Wrexham: Paul Rudd joins Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at ...

Image source, Reuters

Wrexham's actor owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney celebrate the club's Hollywood ending

By Brendon Williams & Peter Gillibrand & Jack Grey

at the Racecourse Ground

Hollywood A-listers celebrated alongside lifelong fans as superstar-owned club Wrexham won promotion back to the Football League on Saturday.

Ant-Man actor Paul Rudd joined famous owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to watch the Welsh club come from behind to beat Boreham Wood 3-1.

There were tears of joy among fans and owners as Wrexham returned to the Football League after 15 years away.

"We can hear how it feels to the town," said co-owner McElhenney.

Paul Mullin's two goals created a party atmosphere at the sell-out Racecourse and at the final whistle, emotional Wrexham fans spilled out onto the pitch as their Hollywood owners - who made the club world famous with their Disney+ We Are Wrexham documentary - cried in the directors' box.

Image source, Getty Images

Wrexham fans spilled on to the Racecourse pitch to celebrate their team's win

"People said at the beginning 'why Wrexham?', this is exactly why Wrexham happening right now," Deadpool star Reynolds told BT Sport, pointing to the celebrating Wrexham fans.

"I'm not sure I can actually process what happened tonight, I'm speechless."

Supporters - who once could only watch in horror as the club flirted with extinction and winding-up orders as it struggled with multi-million pound debts more then a decade ago - hugged and punched the air as they watched Wrexham win the National League title with a record points tally.

McElhenney added to BT Sport: "How it feels for the town is the most important to us - it's a moment of catharsis for them and celebration - and to be welcomed into this community and this experience is the honour of my life."

The owners joined players on the pitch and embraced the players that made their dream come true - and the dreams of thousands of Wrexham fans, especially those at the sold out Racecourse.

Image source, Getty Images

Wrexham lift the National League trophy - the second title win in their history, 45 years to the day since the other one in 1978

"This is fantastic, this is amazing - I can't speak I'm so happy, it's the best day ever," said supporter Laura Roberts as she left the Racecourse.

Elwyn Davies, a Wrexham fan since 1957, added: "This is absolutely wonderful, I didn't sleep much last night and I've been nervous leading up to the game but we did it."

Lifelong supporter Elwyn Davies has been watching Wrexham for more than 60 years and said he enjoyed one of his best night's at the club

"I can't believe we won the league - but we all knew it would happen," said 11-year-old Cali Howet, who cannot wait to see her team in the Football League for the first time in her lifetime.

"It's amazing - I love Ryan and Rob, they've done so much for the city."

Cali Howet celebrated Wrexham's win at the Racecourse with her friend Isobel

Wrexham's promotion also got Royal approval as the Prince of Wales tweeted: "Congratulations Wrexham AFC.

"A club with such amazing history, looking forward to a very exciting future back in the Football League. Doing Wales proud," Prince William said on Twitter.

Former England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker also congratulated Wrexham on social media, while Wrexham legend Mickey Thomas, the former Wales and Manchester United star, thanked the club's players and owners for sealing promotion.

The whole city came out to join the party and at half-time, staff at Maesgwyn Hall, where many fans were watching the game, said they had sold 6,600 pints so far and needed many more kegs to make it to the end of the match.

Image source, PA Media

Paul Rudd shared a pint with Wrexham fans before the big game

However, it wasn't straight forward for nervy Wrexham as they were held 1-1 at half-time - and even went behind in the first minute as Boreham Wood opened the scoring.

But Wrexham responded as top-scorer Mullin led an incredible recovery as the striker scored his 46th and 47th goal of the season as Wrexham won the second title in their history.

Image source, Getty Images

Wrexham's supporters piled onto the famous Racecourse Ground pitch to toast their title-wining team

Much to the delight of acting star Rudd who has joined new Wrexham's new superstar supporters as he was seen chatting with fans, posing for pictures and singing songs ahead of the big game in the pub next to the ground.

"I'd like to say Paul Mullin is one of the greatest football players in the world," McElhenney added.

Since the takeover by Reynolds and McElhenney in 2021, the club has surged in popularity around the world with acting royalty Will Ferrell and football icon David Beckham going to Wrexham games.

But Rudd was there for one of the most important games in the club's 159-year history.

Image source, PA Media

Wrexham fans were shocked to see the Hollywood actor turn up to the pub - though maybe they are used to it by now?

Image source, PA Media

He was seen chatting with the locals - maybe discussing tactics?

Image source, PA Media

A few fans took the chance to grab a selfie

Mair Roberts, 81, and her brother William Griffiths, 83, have been coming to Wrexham games for 100 years between them.

Speaking before kick-off, William said he has been supporting Wrexham "for 60 odd years", and asked how today compares to the last six decades, he replied: "It's unbelievable isn't it? The owners we've got are fantastic."

Sister Mair has been coming for 40 years, and predicted a 3-1 Wrexham win. If they are promoted, she said she will be "dancing all night".

Mair Roberts William Griffiths have been going to Wrexham games for a combined 100 years

Following title rivals Notts County's win against Maidstone earlier, only one point separates the two teams following a record-breaking season.

When the club's faced earlier this month it was former Premier League goalkeeper's Ben Foster's last minute penalty save that sealed with the win for Wrexham.

Ben Foster met with fans outside the Racecourse ahead of the game

Image source, Getty Images

Co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are both at the Racecourse for the match

Nine-year-old Sonny, going to the game with his dad Doug, said he had never known a day as exciting as this one.

"I'm quite confident, bit nervous, but I think we'll win... I'm just really excited, I'm buzzing with excitement," he said before the game.

Sonny said he's confident in a 2-1 win for Wrexham

Only a win vs Boreham Wood will see Wrexham gaurantee promoted

Paris Trow, manager of Maesgwyn Hall in Wrexham, said the city had changed substantially over the last few years since the takeover.

"It's just so much more busy, the amount of people coming… everyone's talking about Wrexham. It's just madness," she added.

"It's doing so much for the Welsh language, for Wales, Welsh culture, everything in general. It's just absolutely brilliant."

Paris Trow is manager of Maesgwyn Hall, Wrexham, which is open for fans to watch the game

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