Wrexham Secures Historic Promotion to EFL Championship

Wrexham AFC, the Welsh football club owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has achieved a historic third consecutive promotion, securing a place in the EFL Championship with a commanding 3-0 win against Charlton Athletic at the Racecourse Ground. This marks the first time the Red Dragons will compete in English football’s second tier since the 1981-82 season, capping a remarkable rise from the National League to the Championship in just three years.

The promotion was confirmed after Wycombe Wanderers, Wrexham’s closest rivals for the second automatic promotion spot in League One, suffered a 1-0 defeat to Leyton Orient earlier on Saturday. Needing only a victory to seal their place, Wrexham delivered in style, with goals from Ollie Rathbone and a brace from record signing Sam Smith, who cost the club £2 million. Rathbone opened the scoring in the first half, followed swiftly by Smith’s first goal, with the striker sealing the victory with a header in the 81st minute off a pinpoint cross from Max Cleworth. The result not only clinched promotion but also dashed Charlton’s hopes of a top-two finish, though they remain in the League One playoffs.

Under the stewardship of manager Phil Parkinson, Wrexham has defied expectations, becoming the first club in the history of the English Football League to achieve three consecutive promotions starting from the National League or higher. The club’s journey began with a National League title in 2022-23, followed by a second-place finish in League Two last season, and now a runner-up spot in League One behind champions Birmingham City. Parkinson credited the team’s resilience and the unwavering support of the fans, saying, “The lads were phenomenal today, and the atmosphere at the Racecourse was electric. This is for the town, the fans, and everyone who believed in us.”

The Hollywood influence of Reynolds and McElhenney, who took over the club in 2021, has been transformative. Their investment, coupled with the global spotlight from the Disney+ documentary Welcome to Wrexham, has propelled the 161-year-old club to new heights. Celebrities including Blake Lively, Reynolds’ wife, were in attendance, with the co-owners seen celebrating wildly in the stands. Reynolds, who admitted the promotion race gave him “an eight-inch ulcer,” poured pints for fans before the match, while McElhenney joined supporters in chants, embodying the duo’s hands-on approach.

“It’s a story you couldn’t make up,” McElhenney said post-match. “This club, this town, these fans – they’re the heart of it all. We’re just lucky to be along for the ride.” Reynolds echoed the sentiment, adding, “Wrexham is a community that dreams big, and today, those dreams are reality.”

The victory sparked jubilant scenes, with fans storming the pitch to celebrate with players. Wrexham’s squad, featuring seasoned players like James McClean, Jay Rodriguez, and Steven Fletcher, has blended experience with ambition, proving doubters wrong in a competitive League One campaign. The club’s rise contrasts with other celebrity-backed projects, such as Salford City, which has yet to advance beyond League Two despite significant investment.

Next season, Wrexham could face former Premier League sides like Leicester City in the Championship, a division known for its financial demands and competitive intensity. The club’s promotion is estimated to bring in significant revenue, with warnings that missing out could have cost them up to £12 million ($16 million). However, challenges remain, as club director Humphrey Ker recently highlighted issues with sustaining the club’s rapid growth.