Wrexham’s Hollywood Owners Celebrate Club’s Success

History After History After History

In a feat that defies the odds, Wrexham AFC has achieved an unprecedented ascent through the English football pyramid, securing promotion to the EFL Championship for the first time since the 1981–82 season. This remarkable journey from the fifth tier to the second tier in just three seasons stands as a testament to the club's resilience, strategic vision, and the transformative impact of its ownership.

On April 26, 2025, Wrexham clinched their third consecutive promotion by defeating Charlton Athletic 3–0 at home, sealing second place in League One. This victory not only secured their place in the Championship but also made them the first club in English football history to achieve three successive promotions within the top five divisions.

Right now, Wrexham has achieved three promotions in three seasons, getting promoted at the end of each one. What was expected to be a waste of money by owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney is definitely a huge gamble that has paid off, and it continues to do so at this point.

At this rate, we can actually expect Wrexham to be in the English Premier League – the top tier in English football – by the 2026-27 season, which should be a damn great feat than most people think should they even be able to cap it off with a title finish. These are still hypotheticals as they still have to get through the Championship – but anyone can dream as Wrexham did.

The Hollywood Impact

The club's resurgence can be largely attributed to the ownership of Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who acquired Wrexham in 2021. Their investment has gone beyond financial backing, encompassing infrastructural improvements, community engagement, and a renewed sense of ambition. Their involvement has reignited local pride and attracted global attention, culminating in a fairy tale narrative that continues to captivate fans worldwide.

Wrexham's rise has had a profound impact on the local community. The club's success has fostered a renewed sense of identity and pride among supporters, transforming the Racecourse Ground into a fortress of passion and belief. The narrative of a small-town club achieving the improbable has resonated deeply, inspiring not only football fans but also those who appreciate stories of perseverance and triumph.

A cornerstone of their management philosophy is the emphasis on community involvement. Both Reynolds and McElhenney have expressed their commitment to being "stewards" of the club, ensuring that decisions reflect the values and interests of Wrexham's supporters. This approach has fostered a strong bond between the club and its fanbase, contributing to the club's resurgence.

While the duo has invested significantly in the club, they have also demonstrated financial prudence. In 2024, Wrexham reported revenues of £26.7 million, surpassing several Championship clubs and underscoring the club's financial health . Additionally, the success of the documentary series "Welcome to Wrexham" has enhanced the club's global profile, attracting new supporters and sponsors.

Chasing History in Wrexham

Under the guidance of manager Phil Parkinson, Wrexham has demonstrated tactical acumen and squad cohesion. The club's ability to strengthen its squad each season, coupled with a clear tactical approach, has been pivotal in their rapid progression through the leagues.

That being said, Wrexham now boasts one of the best climbs in the history of English football, and their story is far from over at this point in time.

Top Five English Clubs with Consecutive Promotions (Most Recent)

Wrexham AFC’s three-tier rise from the National League to the Championship in just three seasons is historic — and even more impressive when compared to other clubs with similar streaks. Unlike other clubs in the list, which climbed through tiers 10 to 8, Wrexham rose through tiers 5 to 2.

The jump in quality, financial demand, and competitiveness between the National League and the Championship are orders of magnitude greater than in regional leagues. No other club has ever achieved three straight promotions at this level in modern English football history. Wrexham just wrote themselves on the history books at this point.

Climbing into the English Football League (EFL) is a tough challenge. Climbing through it is even harder. The last two promotions (from League Two and League One) mean Wrexham beat dozens of historically established, well-resourced EFL clubs — some with recent Championship or even Premier League experience.

Wrexham Through the Climb

When Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over Wrexham AFC in late 2020, the announcement was met with curiosity, skepticism, and a healthy dose of excitement. Could two actors — one Canadian and one American — really breathe new life into a Welsh club buried in the fifth tier of English football?

Fast forward to the end of the 2024–25 season, and Wrexham AFC has defied every expectation. Not only have they climbed three tiers in just three seasons, but they've also rewritten their own history.

Wrexham AFC Standings Through The New Ownership

*Denotes promotion achieved by the club by the end of the season.

Before the Reynolds-McElhenney era, Wrexham was a struggling National League side. In their first full season under new ownership, the club jumped from 8th to 2nd place. That early transformation laid the foundation for sustained success. From 2022 to 2025, Wrexham pulled off one of the rarest feats in English football: three consecutive promotions, rising from the National League (Tier 5) to the Championship (Tier 2). This kind of ascent is unprecedented at these levels.

While the Hollywood story drew global eyes, the club remained deeply grounded in Wrexham’s culture. Documentaries like Welcome to Wrexham helped build an international following, but the real success came from reconnecting with the local community.

What stands out most is the consistency. Across five seasons, Wrexham’s points totals read like those of a club that knows how to win: 68-88-111-88-89. That consistency across league levels is incredibly rare.

The Next Chapter for Wrexham

As Wrexham prepares for life in the Championship, the journey is far from over. The club's ambition remains steadfast, with eyes set on further progression up the footballing ladder. The blend of strategic leadership, passionate ownership, and a united community provides a solid foundation for future success. Wrexham AFC's story is a powerful reminder that with vision, determination, and unity, even the most improbable dreams can become reality.

Wrexham’s leap to the Championship marks them as serious contenders to reach the Premier League, something no other club in your list has even approached. The ambition isn't just to rise — it's to stay competitive at the top, and they now have the platform to do it.