Yes, the emergence of Wrexham seems to be following the Hollywood script after the takeover by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhanney but, just how magical is this story?
In recent years, the club have accelerated to stardom thanks to the takeover, with performances on the pitch reaching the levels of the hype off it.
Having reached the playoffs in the 2021/22 season, the club currently sit top of the National League, having only lost 2 games all campaign, thanks to many high-profile signings under the new owners.
Star signing Paul Mullins has propelled The Red Dragons into stardom, scoring 30 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions last season and has continued his strong form this year by scoring 20 goals in 27 games.
Mullins snubbed a new contract at Cambridge United, where he was instrumental in their promotion up to League 1 but questions have been asked for why he moved in the first place?
The striker claims he ‘wanted to be closer to his family’ and that Wrexham was the ‘perfect place for it.’ However, opposition fans have claimed that it’s a bold stretch from a man who has been at seven clubs.
Mullins is on a reported £200,000 a year and if true, this would make him the highest earner in the National League.
Another marquee signing was centre-back Ben Tozer who joined the side from Cheltenham Town FC for £200,000 after he captained the Robins to the League 2 title in the 2020/21 season. Tozer, who has solidified the Red Dragons’ defence earns a reported £3000 a week.
So why should it be such a shock that Wrexham is the talk of the town?
After all, the duo bought the club for just £2,000,000, when compared to their combined net worth of a reported £200,000,000. It clearly won’t dent their pockets too much.
Now, I’m not saying the takeover hasn’t worked wonders for the Welsh side or the town, but really… all this hype for a side buying their way into the football league?
After all, they failed to get promotion into League 2 the first time of asking losing to Grimsby Town last season. With a budget similar to that of half the sides in the Championship, anything less than promotion would be seen as a massive failure.
Yes, their performances in the FA cup this season have been impressive beating Coventry 4-3 and drawing 3-3 against Sheffield United, but when the squad is made of players of League 1 and 2 quality, it’s not as simple as it looks on the script.
Obviously, the owners seem to care about the club, giving players such extortionate wages for a non-league team and investing so much into the club. But, you can’t help but question whether Wrexham’s sudden advancement is all down to an extortionate PR stunt.
Their new documentary, ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, has given an insight into the ‘new look’ that Red Dragons have aspired to be.
According to Reelgood, it was the seventh most watched programme across all platforms in the week it launched.
I’m not saying the growth of Wrexham shouldn’t be celebrated, especially by their fans, but everyone needs to calm down and look at the bigger picture. Buying the players, they have to look at the bigger picture, the ‘Hollywood’ script isn’t that magical.
