Wrexham AFC are looking to secure successive promotions after finally returning to the Football League last year, with the Welsh club competing near the top of League Two.
Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham can afford to act differently to clubs like Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
Wrexham director Humphrey Ker believes Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s backing has allowed the Welsh club more freedom to act in the best interests of the community. Ker compared Wrexham to Premier League club Liverpool, suggesting the Red Dragons can afford to make fulfilling decisions that don’t necessarily fiscally benefit the club.
Back in November 2020, Deadpool star Reynolds teamed with McElhenney - famed for creating and starring in ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ - to purchase Wrexham for £2.25million. The duo have become symbols of Welsh football around the world thanks to the exposure their platforms have bought to the club and area, largely though the popular Disney+ documentary titled ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.
After 15 years outside the football league, the Red Dragons secured the National League title to clinch promotion to League Two. Wrexham made several signings to bolster the squad as the celebrity owners eyed successive promotions with the club sitting second behind Stockport.
While Reynolds and McElhenney live in the United States, their presence is keenly felt as Wrexham’s revenue and income surges. The club is expected to bring in £20m in the current financial year, which - according to Ker - allows Wrexham to act in a unique way compared to their peers and rivals.
“Why this remains such fun is we are insulated from some of the pressures, challenges and stresses that others have,” Ker told The Athletic. “There’s been this debate at Liverpool recently about Joel Matip being injured beyond his contract (ending next summer). The debate is, ‘Should Liverpool give him a new contract to see him through?’.
“We have had that situation ourselves in the past at Wrexham and been able to say, ‘Just port the player because we can afford to’. All those things are what I mean when I talk about the absolute privilege of doing this.
“If I’d have done good in life and bought, say, Chippenham Town (near Ker’s family in Wiltshire), I couldn’t make decisions that are financially irresponsible but will ultimately go down well with the fans.
“Here, though, decisions can be made, such as the temporary stand, that may bring us long-term benefits beyond the black and white of a balance sheet. That’s a real privilege.”
The backing of Reynolds and McElhenney has helped the club orchestrate several high-profile signings - and there could be more to come in January. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has overhauled the squad in recent years and could turn to the market to bolster their promotion charge.
“I don't want to make any predictions for January - in terms of incoming players,” Parkinson recently told The Leader. “We have got a strong squad, but we are always looking. As our supporters know, we are always striving to improve, and we are assessing a lot of situations at the moment, but we are keeping our cards close to our chest.”
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