Wrexham’s Hollywood fairy tale shows no signs of slowing down. After securing promotion to the Championship for only the second time in their history, co-owner Rob McElhenney summed up the club’s mood with three defiant words: “Not. Done. Yet.”
Alongside Ryan Reynolds, McElhenney has overseen a rapid rise that has taken Wrexham from the fifth tier to within touching distance of the Premier League in just four years. Following Saturday’s win over Charlton Athletic, Reynolds reminded fans of their original dream: “Four years ago, Rob said we’re going to the Premier League. Everyone laughed. Now, it feels tangible.”
The owners’ ambition has been backed by smart football management and sound investment. Manager Phil Parkinson’s steady hand guided Wrexham to three consecutive promotions, building a squad capable of adapting at every level. Key players like Arthur Okonkwo, Lewis Brunt, and James McClean have added youth, experience, and resilience.
Director Humphrey Ker praised Parkinson’s influence, saying the manager’s promotion-winning record – six to date – reflects his ability to create not just a team, but a culture. “In Phil we trust,” Ker reiterated, highlighting that the club will likely trust the promotion heroes to prove themselves at Championship level before making significant squad changes.
Still, modest reinforcements are expected. Former Wrexham player and manager Andy Morrell believes “three to five signings” could be enough to make Wrexham competitive in a league featuring former Premier League giants like Leicester City and Southampton.
Wrexham’s financial position also supports their ambitions. Their £26m revenue during their League Two campaign rivals that of upper-mid Championship clubs. With new TV rights, sponsorships, and merchandise revenues on the rise, Wrexham are poised to more than double its operating budget without risking Profit and Sustainability Rule (PSR) breaches.
Further financial backing comes from new minority shareholders, the Allyn family, who bring both resources and a commitment to community-based growth. According to Ker, investors like the Allyns are selected carefully: “They must be emotionally, not just financially, invested.”
Off the pitch, Wrexham are also racing to catch up with its success. A new training ground is in planning, and an ambitious academy development project aims to produce future stars from a region famous for talent like Ian Rush and Harry Wilson.
Perhaps most significantly, Wrexham’s iconic Stok Cae Ras is undergoing major redevelopment. Work has begun on a 5,500-capacity new Kop Stand, designed by renowned architects Populus. Once completed, it will boost matchday revenue and ensure Wrexham’s home meets Premier League standards. A new hybrid pitch with undersoil heating is also being installed, another investment towards top-flight readiness.
The challenge ahead is daunting. The Championship is notoriously competitive, with clubs supported by parachute payments and eight-figure annual losses. Yet Wrexham’s unique marketing model – bolstered by their popular “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary – continues to draw global attention and financial support without reliance on reckless spending.
In football history, clubs like Watford (1999), Manchester City (2000), and Southampton (2012) have proven it’s possible to jump from League One to the Premier League within a few seasons. Wrexham’s story feels equally unprecedented yet strangely plausible.
Director Ker captures the club’s philosophy perfectly: “Our greatest success has been taking one step at a time and asking, ‘Right, what’s next?’”
The Premier League dream remains alive – and for Wrexham and their fans, it no longer feels like fantasy.
