Now it’s just an investment of £150 million, say the experts for Wrexham to move up to the Premier League.
Just a week ago, it became clear that former Arsenal player Aaron Ramsey would take over as interim manager of Cardiff, although he is still under a player contract with the club.
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But the plans fell apart. After a 0-0 draw against West Bromwich on Saturday, it is now clear that the Welsh club will be relegated. “I’m disappointed. I’m also a supporter. It makes me sad to see the club relegated. The supporters have been through a tough season, and I feel for them. I know how they feel,” Ramsey told the BBC.
He does not know if he will continue as coach next season. “I don’t know. Now it’s time to let things sink in”.
On the opposite side of the joy spectrum, you will find Wrexham, which is also a Welsh club that was promoted after winning 3 – 0 over Charlton.
Wrexham, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has done what absolutely no one thought possible and got promoted for the third year in a row. “Already when I came to the club, I knew this was something special,” Wrexham striker Steven Fletcher, who has played for the club since 2023, told Sky.
This will give Wales a new promotion story to follow next season – while Cardiff will have to find their way back.
Wrexham AFC secured a historic promotion to the Championship, after goals from Ollie Rathbone and Sam Smith confirmed back-to-back promotion for the Red Dragons.
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Wrexham writes about the course of the match: Rathbone opened the scoring after just 16 minutes with a sublime effort from distance, which put Wrexham on the road in North Wales. Smith doubled the advantage just two minutes later, as Phil Parkinson’s side went on to gain further control of the game.
As promotion approached, the striker scored a second goal and Wrexham’s last goal of the game, setting off jubilant celebrations at STōK Cae Ras
After Wycombe Wanderers fell to a 1-0 defeat to Leyton Orient in today’s early kick-off, all potential permutations were set. Win, and Wrexham AFC would play in the championship, securing a third promotion in a row in record fashion.
Phil Parkinson named an unchanged squad from their decisive win over Blackpool on Easter Sunday, when the Red Dragons looked to be trying to replicate their fortune on the coast.
Sam Smith started proceedings behind a sea of red at SToK Cae Ras, with the home supporters welcoming a delighted welcome to Parkinson’s side, knowing that a place in the Championship could be secured.
Smith almost broke the deadlock after just nine minutes, but Ryan Longman’s delivery couldn’t quite be met by the striker and it was then cleared away.
It was again Smith who had another opportunity just 14 minutes into the game, but Charlton defender Macaulay Gillesphey found the perfect moment to slip through and avert the danger, with Smith set to fire home.
In the end, the Red Dragons’ pressure, perseverance, and character were rewarded. Just two minutes later, Ollie Rathbone produced a moment of magic to fire his team into the lead in emphatic style.
The midfielder drove through, and as he has done so many times this season, he unleashed a fantastic attack from outside the box, sending the home supporters off in jubilation.
With many having just settled back from the passionate celebrations, Smith came up with a moment that could well be named the goal of the season in the 18th minute.
Matty James showed his immense experience and quality, producing a sumptuous delivery over the Charlton backline which Smith met excellently and fired into the bottom corner with an acrobatic volley to extend Wrexham’s position in the match.
Parkinson’s side continued to fight away in search of a further extension of the lead, but at the other end of the pitch they kept Charlton at bay as Wrexham headed to the interval with a two-goal advantage.
The hosts did an excellent job of managing the game, knowing what was on the pitch in a game that could not only define their season, but also define an incredible journey.
Smith capped off an incredible game in North Wales with his second goal, sending the Red Dragons to an unprecedented third promotion in a row.
Max Cleworth provided the vital ball from the right, finding Smith with precision in the box, as the striker came up with a fantastic moment to secure all three points and promotion.
Wrexham AFC: Okonkwo (GK), Brunt, Scarr, Cleworth, Longman, James, Dobson, Rathbone, McClean (c), Smith (Marriott 86′), Rodriguez (Fletcher 68′).
Unused substitutes: Burton (GK), O’Connell, O’Connor, Barnett, Lee.
Charlton Athletic: Mannion (GK), Ramsay, Gillesphey, Jones (Mbick 52′), Coventry, Campbell, Docherty (c), Edwards, Anderson, Godden, Watson (Gilbert 72′).
Unused substitutes: Bouzanis (GK), Mitchell, Hylton, McIntyre, Kanu.
