There is a difference in owners, while some, such as the Glazer family, see a club as a way to become even richer, film and TV stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have bought and owned their club with their hearts.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney made a number of promises after completing their purchase of Wrexham in 2021, but have they kept them?
In the days following their purchase of Wrexham in 2021, both Reynolds and McElhenney decided to release a full mission statement. The statement mapped out their vision for the future of Wrexham and included a list of things the pair would definitely do/achieve at the club.
“We are two people who have made a career by never taking ourselves too seriously. However, we realize that it is an incredibly serious matter to take the leadership of this great and high-ranking club, and something we do not take lightly.”
“Our aim is to grow the club, establish Wrexham AFC as a Premier League club, in front of increased spectators in an improved stadium and at the same time make a positive difference to the wider community of Wrexham.”
Technically, all the promises have been achieved in that there is a goal to reach the Premier League and not a promise, but all fans and probably the owners included see it as a promise.
Here is an overview of what was said and the results that followed.
Technically, all the promises are
First Promise: A Promise to Win
Reynolds and McElhenney wanted to reward the Wrexham supporters who have stood by the club throughout its history by “pitting everything we have against what all fans want most for their club, and that is to… win, win, win.”
And win they have. After achieving promotion to League Two after a record-breaking season in the National League, Phil Parkinson’s team earned a second consecutive promotion last season and a return to League One.
At the time of writing, Wrexham are third in League 1, level on level with Wycombe in 2nd place as they look for their third straight promotion.
Second Promise: Team Values
“We understand and respect the intense loyalty and love for this club and how it is woven into the city and its supporters.”
Reynolds and McElhenney expressed their desire to reinforce the values, traditions and heritage of the Wrexham community when they arrived at Racecourse Ground.
As well as injecting a huge amount of money into the club after they made that statement, the Hollywood actors have followed up their words with actions, bringing in some of the Football League’s biggest names, including star striker Paul Mullin and James McClean.
The couple have thrown themselves into life at Wrexham, getting involved in the community and even learning the Welsh language. They have also opened a picturesque memorial park named after Reynolds in the local area.
Third promise: To make the team a globally renowned brand
In the statement, Reynolds and McElhenney said they “don’t see why” the then National League club couldn’t have a global appeal.
And it didn’t take long for their much-talked-about arrival to cast a glance at the third-oldest professional club in the country. In fact, Reynolds’ hit series about Wrexham on Disney Plus has raised millions of pounds.
Releasing its third season in 2024, “Welcome to Wrexham” has captivated audiences around the world and earned an extremely impressive 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Fourth Promise: Renovating The Racecourse Ground
Reynolds and McElhenney vowed to “explore the renovation of Racecourse and improve the arena for the club, for international matches and “maybe the occasional Tom Jones appearance.”
It was announced last year that a new 5500-seat stand at the stadium had secured financial support from Wrexham Council.
And on Tuesday, it was confirmed by the club that they will submit new designs for the stand in February 2025.
Fifth promise: Training facilities
Reynolds and McElhenney wanted to invest in a “permanent training facility worthy of an EFL club” after they walked through the door.
Back in February 2022, Wrexham announced the completion of a new gym at the Racecourse Ground as they continue to work on improving the off-track facilities at our stadium.
The new performance facility has elite equipment and required a special floor installation consisting of artificial grass and shock-absorbing flooring that allows the facility to be used for rehabilitation along with strength and conditioning.
In addition to the above, Reynolds and McElhenney made a number of “hard promises” with the ultimate goal of growing the team and returning to the Football League in front of increased spectators in an improved stadium.
They also pledged to make a “positive difference to the wider community of Wrexham” – something they have certainly achieved so far in their short time at the club.
Here are the “hard promises” in full:
— Provide comprehensive financial support to the manager and his coaching staff. Build a sustainable model that will attract the best players and employees to Racecourse Ground.
— Always beat Chester.*
— Explore the renovation of the Racecourse Ground and improve the arena for the club, for international matches and maybe the occasional Tom Jones gig.
— Invest in a permanent training facility worthy of an EFL club.
— Guarantees that the club cannot be moved, renamed or changed. Appropriate and respectful adherence to the Gresford Colliery disaster will remain sacred.
— Recognizing the role the fans and WST have played in steering the club through extremely difficult times, we will create an honorary board that includes fans, representatives of WST and WAFC along with our own advisors.
— Ensure the continued presence of Dixie McNeil as the club’s honorary president, subject to his wishes.
— Always beat Chester.*
— Expand club staff to take advantage of increased interest in Wrexham, both locally and internationally.
— Recognise and reinforce Wrexham AFC’s role as a leading force for the common good in the city. Work with the club’s Disability Liaison, Kerry Evans, to retain and enhance Wrexham’s reputation as an inclusive and forward-thinking club, along with other important local groups such as the Wrexham AFC Community Trust, food banks and schools.
— Commit to a more ecologically sustainable version of the club and stadium.
— Commit to open decision-making with regular and open communication.
— Ensure that when the day comes when we leave the club, it will be in a better position than it is today.
— ALWAYS BEAT CHESTER.*
— If we ever play Chester again.
And here are the four ‘guiding principles’ they wanted to chase back when they took over.
1.) To protect the heritage that has made Wrexham AFC and the Racecourse Ground such a special place to watch football for the past 156 years.
2.) To reinforce the values, traditions and heritage of this community. We understand and respect the intense loyalty and love for this club and how it is woven into the city and its supporters.
3.) To use our resources to increase the exposure of the club. Of course, this would be consistent with protecting the heart and spirit of a community-led historical icon. But why can’t the third-oldest club in the world have a global appeal?
4.) To reward the faith of the supporters who have stood by Wrexham AFC throughout history by pitting everything we have against what all fans want most for their club, and that is to… WIN, WIN, WIN.
