Wrexham's Revolutionary Ownership Model Fuels Their Bold Premier League Ambitions
Following an exceptionally lengthy, spirited and alcohol-fueled night marking Wrexham's ascension from non-League to the EFL in 2023, certain staff members woke up to messages from the club's proprietors, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The communications from the Hollywood performers reflected upon what an incredible evening it had been and expressed hope that the morning-after effects weren't too severe. The messages were customized, addressed to each person individually, acknowledging their specific role in Wrexham's ascent. The receivers were genuinely moved. These major celebrities possess generous spirits.
The influence of Reynolds and Rob Mac (as he's now called) on Wrexham since they acquired the struggling club and deteriorating venue in 2020 extends far beyond team enhancement, elevating them three divisions from non-League to just one level beneath the Premier League and stadium renovation so that over 10,000 witnessed Friday's thrilling FA Cup third-round triumph over top-tier Nottingham Forest. Reynolds and Rob Mac have accomplished tremendous things for Wrexham but what has captured supporters' hearts is that they've achieved it with consideration, passion and compassion.
It's not merely for display, or "The Show," the enormously popular, behind-the-scenes "Welcome to Wrexham" documentary series, though that element is unavoidable. When I visited to interview their forward Paul Mullin, recently back after a loan period at Wigan Athletic, we were recorded conversing at the venue, the Racecourse Ground, and the cameras accompanied us throughout.
Filming equipment is part of daily existence for Reynolds and McElhenney and now for the residents of Wrexham. However, it's not executed in a disruptive manner. That's not Reynolds's and Rob Mac's approach. When they sold a partial ownership to Apollo Sports Capital in December, the duo discussed their goal to make Wrexham "viable" and "to accomplish it with some soul and wit."
The Human Approach
Affection and joy have certainly been witnessed and experienced. The pair have welcomed the community and funded local programs, assisting the underprivileged. They genuinely care. When Mullin was rejoicing on the field after one match in 2023, Reynolds observed the striker stop to tend to his son, Albi, who was briefly overwhelmed by the commotion. Reynolds was conscious that Albi had recently received an autism diagnosis. He walked over to join Mullin and help soothe Albi. He gently patted Albi's back and the child's distress gradually subsided. Subsequently, Mullin received a message from Reynolds. "How's Albi doing?" it inquired.
Mullin understood how occupied Reynolds was with his acting profession and various business ventures. He was already amazed by how many matches Reynolds and Rob Mac attended—a 10,000-mile journey from LA. So he was touched that Reynolds remembered to reach out. These are top-tier stars with genuine empathy.
In an age when supporters at more than 10 of the 92 clubs in the Premier League and EFL demonstrate vocally against their proprietors, it's worthwhile acknowledging the admiration for Reynolds and Rob Mac at Wrexham. There was initial doubt locally regarding two actors' motivations. Wrexham is as distant from Hollywood as conceivable, and not just geographically. Supporters of other teams ridiculed Wrexham and alleged they were merely another platform to advance the pair's careers.
Now this Canada-U.S. partnership represents the standard for excellent ownership, cherished by Wrexham supporters and admired by competitors because they make aspirations reality. They also appear to be enjoying themselves with it, relishing matches, with Reynolds spending time before kickoff against Forest motivating the players as they came out of the tunnel. He recognizes them all personally. He was also chatting with fans and knows some of them individually, too.
Effective ownership stems from sound recruitment. Reynolds and Rob Mac, and those who counsel them, have recruited wisely, and in one staff member particularly. Their manager Phil Parkinson is as distant from Hollywood as imaginable. He's direct in communication, and frequently uses profanity throughout recorded team discussions. But his appointment on July 1, 2021 has been brilliant. Like the owner, Parkinson cares deeply. He cares for the players and their families. He cares for the supporters. He cares about victory.
The Driving Force in the Dugout
"Parky", as he is affectionately called, operates in an unpredictable industry with coaches under enormous pressure, physical and mental, with criticism amplifying particularly on social platforms. His occasionally cautious tactics have sparked furious responses but, generally, the 58-year-old is highly respected. Parkinson has been provided quality players to manage but Wrexham still must function within financial constraints. He has accomplished miracles. In position for four-and-a-half years, the Lancashire native is the seventh longest-tenured manager in the 92-club structure. Management is such an unstable profession that 22 have been fired so far—this season alone.
He's extremely motivated. When Parkinson was managing Bradford City in 2015 he ignored Chelsea's José Mourinho who was attempting to shake his hand three minutes before the end of their FA Cup match. Bradford were ahead 3-2, heading for a remarkable upset, and Mourinho was gracefully accepting defeat. "The Special One" knew there would be chaos at the final whistle, celebrations and frustrations, and he and Parkinson might not have the space or chance for a handshake, the customary managerial post-match display of respect. Parkinson declined the early handshake, not from any disrespect for Mourinho. He simply didn't want to indicate to his players that he believed the game was finished.
Parkinson was also cautious that Chelsea's players might interpret it as arrogance and would rally in the final minutes. So he rebuffed Mourinho, Bradford scored a fourth and they were able to celebrate a decisive victory. Mourinho entered the Bradford changing room afterward and shook hands with Parkinson and all his players.
Parkinson's astute. He considered quickly about the consequences of shaking hands with Mourinho prematurely. He's also thought strategically about Wrexham's acquisitions. It's worth examining the paths taken by their three finest players against Forest. Reynolds and Rob Mac invested wisely in Parkinson and in his squad. The defender Callum Doyle joined last summer from Manchester City for £7.5 million. In just 17 games, including an exceptional display against Forest, the 22-year-old Doyle's already valued at £20 million+. That's due to receiving playing time, which Doyle wouldn't get at City, and being developed by Parkinson and his staff. Parkinson enhances players. Doyle was capable when he arrived but appears fitter, stronger, more tactically intelligent and technically superior.
Some of the acquisitions experienced rejection early in their careers—as Parkinson himself did at Southampton—and that contributes to their determination to succeed. George Dobson, the midfielder signed on a free transfer from Charlton Athletic in 2024, began at Arsenal at eight, never reached the first team and was released at 17. Dobson has something to prove and is demonstrating that at Wrexham. He's also expanded his passing ability under Parkinson, evident in one excellent cross-field pass to initiate a counter against Forest.
Project Premier League Alive and Kicking
The spotlight fell on goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, another whose initial professional steps began at Arsenal in the same era as Bukayo Saka. Unai Emery valued Okonkwo sufficiently at the Emirates that he included him on the bench against Napoli in the Europa League in 2019. Petr Čech, the legendary goalkeeper then at Arsenal, provided the youngster guidance.
Okonkwo trained to improve his footwork by attempting to chip the ball onto the crossbar from the penalty area, 12 yards away, stepping further back each time. The objective was to enhance his distribution, lifting the ball over pressing opponents to his teammates. Okonkwo's shot-stopping was honed facing the powerful strikes of Granit Xhaka in Arsenal training. He demonstrated his value saving two penalties in the shootout to advance Wrexham to the fourth round of the Cup.
Their main objective is promotion to the Premier League. Wrexham aspire to achieve what most predicted was Mission Impossible when Reynolds and Rob Mac assumed control. Ascending through the levels of English football is a game of snakes and ladders, climbing up and falling down. Clubs with far greater resources struggle. Preston North End, one of the founding members of English football in 1888, have billionaire owners in the Hemmings family but haven't been at the highest level of English football since 1961.
Wrexham continue defying expectations and challenging conventional thinking and all with a measure of elegance and compassion from Reynolds and Rob Mac.