What's with WREXHAM AFC?

[AviatorTom]

Welsh football (soccer) club Wrexham has achieved promotions in each of the last 3 years, moving up to compete in just one level below the English Premier League (EPL), all since Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool, Mint Mobile) and his friend Rob McElhenney bought the club for US$ 2.1 million in 2021. The club is now valued at around US$ 133 million.

McElhenney and Reynolds with Wrexham's Trophy

Reynolds is Canadian and McElhenney is American, part of a trend for British football clubs (Liverpool, for example) to be owned by North Americans.

So what do you think? Will the Wrexham Red Dragons make the Premier League?

[purplepoppy]

Long as it's not owned by the English thats all that matters. But for americans wondering why it plays in the English league, well the welsh league isn't that big. We simply dont have many towns or cities here and rugby is far more popular. Wrexhams like of football could be down to it being a short drive from Liverpool.

I know sod all about football and I've only been to Wrexham a few times. It got a bad rep a while back with zombies thanks to the drug spice. People in the UK will argue their heads off whether Wrexham is in Wales or England.

Some little funfacts
The two American owners named also own Wrexham brewery. It's the UKs oldest brewery and the lager served on the titanic is still sold.

Wrexham gave America Yale University. It should be ial but you lot couldn't pronounce it. Yale college in Wrexham got in a little dispute a few years ago with America over the name. Because of historic links they kept the name.

Wrexham has to be spelt Wrecsam in welsh because there's no X in the alphabet.

[Shiprex]

I absolutely hope they do.

This is a great story I think they will make a movie of one day and it will be a rags to riches working class to top class battle against the odds. It is an unconventional marrying of entertainment genres with a feel good factor. I believe RR has a lot to say for the path the team have made for themselves with the leadership and inspiration from the owners it's become a fairy story for boys

[Shiprex]

Thanks for the MHO

[Cubus]

Great story of two billionaires buying promotions with their money?

[Shiprex]

@Cubus They played did they? Or did they provide resources for the team to be able to compete?

[Cubus]

Are they using their money to buy players Wrexham would not be able to buy normally?

[Shiprex]

@Cubus THEY OWN the club so the club is THEIRS to employ the players they want the club to have. It's a business not a social club

[Cubus]

Do you know the reason why clubs like PSG or Man City are so hated?

[Shiprex]

@Cubus Because they win and have the players and backing to get success. It's A BUSINESS
Just ask Glasgow Rangers what happened to them not so long ago

[Cubus]

And why they have players?

[Shiprex]

@Cubus Because they have a club and can employ them

[Cubus]

Correction: why do they have the best players and not the players they used to have?

[Shiprex]

@Cubus because they are allowed to hire and fire players as its a team. Club membership isn't an entitlement for participating in every future match. If there are players available better than who's there and they can be encouraged to join then that's business

[Cubus]

How do they have resources for this?

[Shiprex]

@Cubus because the owners have invested in the club.

[Cubus]

So if they didn't invest, they would mean nothing, right?

[Shiprex]

@Cubus Who they club? They could still do well but it would be harder as the facilities and players need to be paid for.

[Cubus]

Do they wouldn't achieve success without these millions of their sponsors, right?

[Shiprex]

@Cubus Maybe they could have maybe not. If those players who were brought in weren't brought in maybe someone else home grown or a great coach and trainers were then there's every chance it could have happened

[Cubus]

Why do you believ e maybe they could?

[Shiprex]

@Cubus It's football. Sometimes upsets can happen, sometimes teams have a good day and the other team has a bad day and if you train and practice and have some strategy there's a chance that those conditions can occur more often than not.

[Cubus]

Yes, but pumping money significaly boosts these chances. Something that makes it less about talent and more about the money.

[OlderAndWiser]

I am woefully ignorant about European soccer.

[AI Opinion]

Wrexham AFC's recent success is undoubtedly impressive, thanks in part to the passionate stewardship of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Their investment and dedication have reinvigorated the club, bringing attention and resources to boost its performance. While their journey to the Premier League is ambitious, it will require navigating fierce competition and continued development. The club's momentum and support increase their chances, but they'll need strategic planning and consistent performance to reach the EPL. The next few years will be crucial for their long-term aspirations. ⚽🔥

[Cubus]

There was a similar story in my country. Some local businessman that made money on paving stones bought a football club in his home village and it made 5 consecutive promotions, until they reached the top tier league.

The name of the team was Termalica Bruk-Bet Nieciecza and they were from a village of only 700 inhabitants (which made them the team from a smallest village in Europe).

[shortster]

I hope the EPL gets taken over entirely by Welsh teams. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[CubaPirate]

Cash is King. American investors. Imoa there's no place for Welsh teams in the English League when they have their own League of Wales

[BonzoInBitburg]

It's a cool story and I love the show.

[Anonymous]

I think they will make the Premier League.