Wrexham’s February takeover was one of the most talked-about incidents in Vanarama National League history, but the new proprietors are learning just how difficult it is to navigate the choppy waters of England’s lower leagues.
It’s almost a year since the Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney announced they would be purchasing the Red Dragons, cueing a surge of belief that Wrexham were destined for promotion this season.
Thirteen years have passed since the club was last part of the National League, but the investment and exposure provided by their new stakeholders could finally ended that exile.
The bookmakers continue to back the team as favourites for promotion despite the fact they sit eighth in the standings, having won only two of their first six games this season.
It’s not always an overnight process for such sweeping change to take effect, after all, but that could open the door for a potential value bet to win the National League come the end of the campaign.
Here we take a look at the current National League odds frontrunners, complete with mr.play offer code to optimise your potential winnings.
Wrexham (7/2)
Supporters will look upon the Wrexham takeover as either positive for the league or a sideshow spectacle, but it’s aided the club in at least building the perception that big things are in store.
The new owners were quick to help with a number of endorsement and publicity opportunities, such as securing TikTok as a shirt sponsor, arranging for the club to be part of a documentary series and getting the team added into FIFA 22:
They’re the kind of changes that might require time to see any effect, however, and many fans will be growing impatient after seeing just two wins from their first five games.
Phil Parkinson was appointed Wrexham chief in July having previously helped Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers on promotion campaigns in the lower leagues, but this may prove his hardest job yet.
Another way for the 7/2 favourites to consider those statistics is that they’ve also lost just once in their first six outings and have at least score in every game thus far.
Chesterfield (4/1)
Second in the National League after four games, boasting some of the best statistics in both goals scored and goals conceded. Needless to say, it’s a fun time to be a Chesterfield supporter.
Rowe James has been hugely impressive in what’s been only his second senior managerial role, with stellar defence becoming something of a hallmark during his time at Technique Stadium.
The former Gloucester City boss took over the Spireites when they were one off the base of the standings, but he helped the club just miss out on promotion after a sixth-place finish.
It is worth highlighting, however, that Chesterfield’s six opponents so far this season make up the bottom seven in the National League, suggesting the more difficult tasks are to come.
Notts County (6/1)
Another outfit desperate to get their promotion bid back on track after coming so close last term, Notts County are hoping third time proves the charm in their effort to regain entry to League Two.
Only five teams in the National League remain unbeaten at this stage, one of which is the Magpies, who recently came from behind to beat Weladstone 3-2:
A 6/1 bet worth backing with Ian Burchnall leading their charge, Notts County are the second-highest scoring outfit in the division (14) and the most tempting of the three to secore promotion at 6/1.
2021-22 Vanarama National League— Odds Leaders
| Team | Odds |
| Wrexham | 7/2 |
| Chesterfield | 4/1 |
| Notts County | 6/1 |
| Stockport | 7/1 |
| Dagenham & Redbridge | 7/1 |
| Grimsby | 8/1 |
| Boreham Wood | 16/1 |
| Solihull Motors | 25/1 |
| Halifax | 40/1 |
| Southend | 50/1 |
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