Wrexham's promotion is within reach, with Ryan Reynolds feeling the mounting pressure
Hype is Building for Wrexham's Championship Promotion
MANCHESTER, England - Wrexham, the once struggling minor league soccer team, is buzzing with excitement. The global limelight and rapid ascent through the ranks are thanks to its extraordinary co-owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Wrexham is on the verge of securing promotion to the Championship, the second tier of English soccer, with just two matches left in the season. If they pull it off, they'll be joining the likes of Leicester - a Premier League champion, Champions League quarterfinalist, and FA Cup winner; all within recent years.
Currently, Wrexham stands in second place in League One, just ahead of third-place Wycombe and Charlton. To seal the deal, Wrexham needs to defeat Charlton, while Wycombe loses or draws against Leyton Orient. Top spot has already been claimed by Birmingham, who are set for one of the two promotion spots.
"My guts are in knots right now," Deadpool star Reynolds admitted at the TIME100 Summit, as the pressure mounts. "It all comes down to the next two weeks. The team's under stress, and we're all losing our hair."
Wrexham's thrilling journey has captivated audiences worldwide, with their penchant for nail-biting finishes showcased in the globally-streamed docuseries "Welcome to Wrexham." The team's dramatic flair has been a significant factor in the show's popularity.
As for the predictions, a last-minute win or loss wouldn't be unexpected for Wrexham. But for Reynolds, waiting is never easy.
While Wrexham's rise has been meteoric under Reynolds and McElhenney, it's far from a fairytale for all. Salford, the team co-owned by Manchester United greats David Beckham, Gary Neville, and Ryan Giggs, hasn't advanced beyond League Two despite significant investment. Wrexham, on the other hand, has passed Salford in the league and finds itself only a division away from Manchester United if they make it to the Championship.
Success, both on and off the field, has been a consistent theme for Wrexham. Last season saw a record turnover of 26.7 million pounds ($34.5 million), a staggering 155% increase that helped pay off all outstanding loans to shareholders.
The days of Wrexham as a down-on-its-luck team are long gone, replaced by a forward-marching club teetering on the brink of the top tier of English soccer. Wrexham's recent achievement of finishing above Salford in the league has made Charlton's description of the team as a "circus" seem like a lack of respect. As defended by manager Phil Parkinson, "We'll just concentrate on what we've got to do."
Fun Facts:- Wrexham's potential promotion to the Championship would mark their third straight promotion, defying the odds even with celebrity investors.- Since Reynolds and McElhenney took ownership, Wrexham AFC has seen a record turnover of 26.7 million pounds ($34.5 million) last season, a 155% increase in revenue.- If Wrexham achieves promotion to the Championship, they will find themselves only one division away from Manchester United.
- Despite being a minor league soccer team, Wrexham, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is on the brink of promoting to the Championship, the second tier of English football.
- As the team stands in second place in League One, Wrexham needs to defeat Charlton and have Wycombe lose or draw against Leyton Orient to secure the promotion.
- The thrilling journey of Wrexham has captivated audiences worldwide, with their story showcased in the globally-streamed docuseries "Welcome to Wrexham."
- If Wrexham achieves promotion, they will join teams like Leicester City, who have been Premier League champions, Champions League quarterfinalists, and FA Cup winners within recent years.
- While Wrexham's rise has been meteoric under their celebrity owners, other teams like Salford, co-owned by Manchester United greats, haven't advanced beyond League Two despite significant investment.
- The possible promotion to the Championship would mark Wrexham's third straight promotion, defying the odds even with celebrity investors, and placing them only one division away from Manchester United.
