Wrexham are halfway to their unlikely journey towards the Premier League.
Next stop: League One.
After a successful pre-season trip to the west coast of the United States, the Welsh club co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds begins its domestic season on Saturday with a home match against Wycombe Wanderers, from the third tier of English football.
Wrexham have not played at this level for 19 years, a sign of progress done by the team since it was purchased by Reynolds and another actor, Rob McElhenney, for $2.5 million in 2021.
Another sign is the success of “Welcome to Wrexham” – the Emmy-winning fly-on-the-wall documentary chronicling Hollywood stars’ first foray into football ownership, which is in its third season, with the promise of a fourth.
Another is the sight of up to 35,000 spectators gathering to watch Wrexham’s friendly matches on their North American tour, which began in California with draws against Premier League sides Chelsea (2-2) and Bournemouth (1-1) and ended at Reynolds’ house. city of Vancouver. Wrexham beat Vancouver Whitecaps 4-1, with Reynolds in attendance shortly after a whirlwind press tour for the film “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
It was telling that, when announcing its four-year contract to broadcast games from the English Football League (the three divisions below the Premier League), American broadcaster CBS Sports prioritized attracting Wrexham.
“How to watch Wrexham, Burnley, Leeds and Americans,” CBS said in its statement.
In fact, the eyes of the entire world are now on the team known as the Dragons, especially after consecutive promotions from the National League to League One, which features eight clubs that have played in the Premier League – Barnsley, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bolton, Charlton, Huddersfield, Reading and Wigan.
It’s the Premier League, the most popular football league in the world, where Reynolds and McElhenney want to take Wrexham.
The really hard work starts here, however.
“There are some big clubs who have already spent a lot of money in this transfer window,” said Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, “whereas last year we went to the pitch and everyone wanted to beat us.
“We were the big team coming to town. It will be different.”
Take Birmingham, for example, a club that counts NFL great Tom Brady among its minority owners and has spent more than £10 million ($12.75 million) on players this summer in its bid to return to the second division. division.
Wrexham signed five players, including three from the Premier League: Seb Revan (Aston Villa), Lewis Brunt (Leicester) and goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo (Arsenal).
George Dobson arrived from now League One rivals Charlton and has already noticed the Reynolds effect.
“(The owners) really care a lot about each person,” Dobson told British newspaper The Daily Mirror. “All the boys said they are very interactive. Some owners are like that and some are not. But they are very invested not just in the club but in the whole area as well.”
After the team’s sudden rise, consolidation could be key for Wrexham this season
“We’re probably not the big team in the league anymore, but I think that’s OK,” said Wrexham defender Eoghan O’Connell.
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This story originally appeared on ABCNews.go.com read the full story
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