Wrexham’s One Step from the Premier League
In a football fairytale that even Hollywood couldn’t script better, Wrexham AFC are now just one promotion away from reaching the pinnacle of English football — the Premier League. From the depths of the fifth tier to the doorstep of Anfield, Old Trafford, and the Emirates, the club that once felt forgotten is suddenly rewriting the rules of what’s possible in the beautiful game.
Under the stewardship of their now-iconic owners, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham’s meteoric rise from National League obscurity to the Championship in just three seasons is nothing short of miraculous. And yet, the story may be far from over.
This is not just a feel-good tale — it’s a strategic, shrewdly managed football revolution that has brought a modest Welsh club into global headlines. So how did Wrexham go from facing Wealdstone and Dover Athletic to potentially playing Manchester United and Liverpool in under five years? Let’s dive into the heart of football’s most exciting modern journey.
The Purchase No One Saw Coming
In February 2021, a £2 million acquisition changed everything. That’s what Reynolds and McElhenney paid to take over Wrexham AFC — a club with a proud past but, at the time, no future in sight. Thirteen long years stuck in the National League had left supporters worn down and expectations low.
The two Hollywood stars didn't just bring publicity — they brought purpose. From day one, they made it clear: this wasn’t a gimmick. “Our goal is to make it to the Premier League,” Reynolds declared. At the time, it seemed laughable. Now, it’s terrifyingly close to reality.
A Blueprint for Climbing the Pyramid
Wrexham’s success hasn’t been built on wild spending or reckless gambles. It’s been a masterclass in football strategy. Under the guidance of manager Phil Parkinson — a seasoned EFL veteran with six promotions to his name — Wrexham focused on building from the ground up.
Their first step? Recruiting proven talent willing to take a step down for something special. Players like Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee, both formerly in higher divisions, bought into the dream and helped the club escape the fifth tier. They then repeated the formula, layering in higher-quality players at every step of the climb.
But perhaps Wrexham’s biggest win has been off the pitch — a commercial explosion that has redefined what’s possible for a club of its size.
Big Club Energy from a Small City
Wrexham’s average League One attendance in 2024-25 was just 12,757 — small by Championship standards, where clubs like Sunderland and Leicester regularly draw over 26,000. But what Wrexham lacks in gate receipts, they more than make up for in global brand power.
United Airlines on the front of the kit. A documentary watched by millions. A fan base that now stretches across continents. According to their latest financial accounts (covering the 2023-24 League Two season), Wrexham’s turnover reached £26.7 million — a 155% increase from the previous year. Even more staggering? Commercial revenue alone jumped from £1.88 million to £13.18 million.
This unique blend of entertainment industry savvy and football tradition has turned Wrexham into a commercial juggernaut. That matters now more than ever, because the Championship is unforgiving.
The Step Up: From League One to the Championship
Promotion from League One is often where the dream starts to get complicated. The Championship is brutal. It’s home to former Premier League giants like Leeds, Leicester, and Southampton. Clubs here receive tens of millions in parachute payments. They have bigger stadiums, larger squads, and deeper pockets.
Wrexham? They’re not worried.
“We’ll take the Championship full-on, just as we have done in recent years,” said Parkinson. But he also knows the stakes. The summer ahead will be one of the most pivotal in the club’s history.
Expect a flurry of strategic signings. With the right mix of experience and ambition, Wrexham could bring in Premier League-caliber players who are either out of contract or seeking a fresh start. Names like Jonny Evans, Jamie Vardy, or Callum Wilson have been floated — and thanks to the club’s profile and upward trajectory, these kinds of players might actually say yes.
Three Promotions in Three Years: An Unprecedented Feat
Wrexham’s 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic at the Racecourse Ground sealed their promotion to the Championship and marked a feat that no other club in English football history had managed: three promotions in three consecutive seasons.
It wasn’t flashy. It was professional. Goals from Ollie Rathbone and a brace from record-signing Sam Smith got the job done. Smith, who cost the club a modest £2 million, exemplifies Wrexham’s transfer policy: targeted investment, not reckless spending.
This ability to balance ambition with discipline is why Wrexham isn’t just a media circus. They’re a serious football club making serious moves — and their rivals know it.
Can They Go All the Way?
So here we are. Wrexham, a club that couldn’t dream of League Two five years ago, is now one promotion away from the top of the football mountain. But is it possible?
Recent history suggests yes. Ipswich Town and Southampton have both climbed from League One to the Premier League in recent seasons. Luton Town — who were in the National League just 11 years ago — managed to reach the top flight in 2023.
If any club is built to emulate those blueprints, it’s Wrexham. They have the money, the momentum, the management, and the magic. The global fan base, fueled by the “Welcome to Wrexham” docuseries, only adds fuel to the fire. With each passing year, the gap between Wrexham and the elite gets smaller.
But the road is steep.
The Championship is filled with well-oiled machines, and the grind of 46 games is unforgiving. The margin for error is razor-thin. Teams like Norwich City and Watford, who boast Premier League experience and infrastructure, will pose a significant threat. Still, with shrewd recruitment and smart squad rotation, Wrexham could very well find themselves in a playoff spot come next May.
The X-Factor: Hollywood, Belief, and the Wrexham Effect
Let’s be honest — no one’s writing this story without the names Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Their involvement has been the game-changer. But not because they’re celebrities — because they’re in it.
From flying across the world to attend matches to bringing their creative genius to the club’s brand, “Rob and Ryan” are redefining what ownership looks like. They don’t just want to own a football team. They want to build a legacy. A cultural phenomenon. A club that wins on the pitch and wins hearts around the world.
And they’re doing it. Young fans are choosing Wrexham shirts over traditional giants. Sponsors are lining up. Players are taking pay cuts for the chance to be part of the ride. The energy around the club is contagious — and rare.
That’s Wrexham’s greatest asset heading into the Championship: belief. That irrational, against-all-odds confidence that maybe, just maybe, they can do it again.
What’s Next?
Summer 2025 will be critical.
Phil Parkinson will look to reinforce the squad with experienced players — particularly those who know the rigors of the Championship. Expect links to free agents, loan deals from top clubs, and maybe even a surprise or two. Depth, leadership, and pace will all be on the shopping list.
The club will also look to maximize commercial opportunities. With a bigger platform comes greater expectations, and Wrexham’s off-field growth could outpace even its on-field achievements.
Meanwhile, season ticket sales are expected to skyrocket. More cameras will arrive. More eyes will watch. And more pressure will build. But that’s the price of dreaming big.
Final Whistle
Wrexham AFC has already made history. But they’re not done. With one more push, they could crash football’s biggest party and become the most unlikely Premier League team of all time.
They’ve got the owners. They’ve got the momentum. They’ve got the plan.
Now they just need one more perfect season.
This isn’t just a football story anymore. It’s a story about belief, resilience, ambition — and rewriting what’s possible when you mix old-school football with Hollywood magic.
Wrexham are coming. And the Premier League had better be ready.
