Wrexham’s journey is a perfect fit for the rags-to-riches storyline. Until November 2021, the Red Dragons seemed to be in an unofficial exile of sorts. Their league performances were average, the signings were minimal, and they had not gained promotion for nearly two decades. However, Wrexham’s fortune had a complete turnaround after Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over. Bankrolled by American dollars, Wrexham has become one of the most prominent Welsh teams. Sadly, that is not the case with many other sides. 

Even though Wrexham is not a top-tier team, Reynolds and McElhenney’s stardom has put Wrexham on the world map. Unfortunately, other Welsh leagues have not found their Reynolds and McElhenney in shing armor.

The story of struggling teams in the Welsh league

Football in lower English leagues is a widely unequal game. And unlike Wrexham, not every ailing team finds a superhero. For instance, Darlington FC. Back in the early 90s, Darlington FC was a rising team in the Welsh league. However, fast forward to the 2000s, the club went through a series of financial irregularities and struggles. Owner George Reynolds, who had ambitions to carry the team to the Premier League, landed in prison for tax fraud. Sadly, in 2012, the football association expelled Darlington FC. 

A similar story unfolded in 2019 for Bury F.C. The team from the lower league in North England suffered a terrible misfortune. The English football league banned Bury FC after the club ran out of cash and failed to secure a buyer to sponsor it. Interestingly, a study shows how both Darlington and Bury suffered the same fate due to irresponsible owners who used the clubs for their own vested interests.

The tales of underwhelming owners, however, miss Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who have done way more than just bring Wrexham AFC to life. In their pursuit of revamping the football club, they have also given Wrexham a new identity.

The Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney effect on Wrexham

Until Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney arrived in 2021, Wrexham was like every other town in Wales. The people were barely interested in the club, and no one knew of Wrexham outside Wales. However, now, Wrexham has become the talk of the footballing world owing to what many now deem as the Reynolds and McElhenney effect. Owing to their docuseries, the owners have boosted Wrexham’s economy.

The club’s documentary series Welcome To Wrexham enjoyed record-breaking success on both sides of the Atlantic and continues to do so. Ultimately, it also led to a sharp increase in American tourists visiting the Welsh town. Contrary to when they first started, the reserved people of Welsh have opened their arms to accept the Hollywood owners. Given that they not only handled their beloved football club with care, and even revamped the entire town, there was no reason to not do so. 

Do you think Hollywood stars should take over other struggling football clubs in Britain? Comment down below.