It was a pleasant surprise when Wrexham announced their return to the European Football League. The Welsh club in the fifth tier has received love and devoted attention from fans outside of Europe because of their connections to Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. This puts pressure on the club to reach even more promotions.
The return to the EFL
A good week with a 3-0 win against Yeovil Town before their 3-1 win against Boreham Wood, cemented Wrexham's spot as winners of the National League. The match didn't look good at first for the Red Dragons, as Lee Ndlovu was able to score a goal. But after the second half, it was clear they would secure a promotion as Paul Mullin would score twice. This would be the first time in 15 years that Wrexham would participate in the EFL.
When looking at the football betting odds, the Red Dragons have been given odds of 7/2 on whether Wrexham will be crowned as League Two Champions. There is a 22 per cent chance that Wrexham will take back-to-back titles. When taking the odds and their incredible journey into consideration, Wrexham could reach the Premier League in a few years.
The role of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney
Wrexham's rise to the stars is rooted in their hard work. But their gained worldwide presence is also a result of the work of the co-owners Reynolds and McElhenney. People all around the world are watching the matches, and the interest in the club is tremendous. The relationship between the club and the two Hollywood stars is a long tale. In 2020, McElhenney's and Reynolds' company bought the club for 2 million pounds.
A docuseries about the teams put Wrexham on the world map. Since then, the two actors have built a local community, even though they didn't know anything about football, which both actors have been honest about. Some have criticised the two stars, while others take the new success more lightheartedly.
Holding onto their trustworthy players
If Wrexham needs to gain momentum, an important part is trusting the players that have stuck with them. As the team has gained new followers, it could seem relevant to completely renovate the squad this summer and start over. A visible sign of this is how Reynolds and McElhenney have had their eyes on Gareth Bale, as they have had a hilarious pursuit for the Welsh former player.
But since Wrexham managed to beat Boreham Wood, this is a testament to the fact that current players like Mendy and Barnett deserve a spot on the team.
Parkinson as manager
Since McElhenney and Reynolds became co-owners, some suspected Phil Parkinson would be fired as manager. However, there are reasons to keep Parkinson as manager. With almost two decades of experience as a football manager, he achieved promotions with other teams, such as Bolton Wanderers' promotion to the Championship in 2017. Phil Parkinson's accomplishments have not gone unnoticed, as he was crowned manager of the year. He has ended 15 years of anguish outside of the National League, as Wrexham won their first league title in 45 years.
