When you think of Wrexham AFC, the story that likely comes to mind is one of Hollywood glitz, documentary cameras, and a fairy-tale run of promotions. And it's true—the men's first team has captured the world's imagination. But look a little closer, and you'll see that co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are building something far more meaningful than just a winning squad.
Founded in 1864, Wrexham is the third oldest professional football club in the world and the oldest in Wales. While back-to-back-to-back promotions have stolen the headlines, the real transformation is happening away from the spotlight. The club's most important work lies in its investment in the women's team, youth development, and long-term infrastructure—all designed to create a sustainable future, not just a short-lived fairytale.
From the moment Reynolds and McElhenney took over in 2021, they pledged to elevate the women's programme. What was once a subsidiary part of the club has evolved into a serious project with genuine ambition. The "Welcome to Wrexham" documentary has played a key role here too, shining a light on the women's side and helping to grow their fanbase in ways rarely seen in the women's game.
The progress became impossible to ignore in 2023, when a Welsh women's domestic record crowd of 9,511 packed the Racecourse Ground to watch Wrexham lift the Adran North title. Reynolds, his wife Blake Lively, and McElhenney were all in attendance, underscoring just how seriously they take this part of the club. Days later, Wrexham secured their tier one domestic licence—a milestone that demands higher standards in coaching, administration, facilities, and player development. Promotion to the Adran Premier, the top tier of Welsh women's football, soon followed.
That summer, Reynolds and McElhenney backed up their words with action, awarding the women's team their first set of semi-professional contracts. Then, in 2024, another landmark: Wrexham was granted its first UEFA licence, opening the door to European competition and signaling that this club is thinking far beyond the next match or the next season.
So while the men's team chases glory and the cameras keep rolling, the foundation being laid in Wrexham is built to last. This isn't just a Hollywood story—it's a blueprint for how a club can grow from the inside out.