Ever since the arrival of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as Wrexham AFC’s new owners, the Welsh club has enjoyed plenty of publicity – and some success on the pitch to go with it.
Wrexham made history as they secured back-to-back promotions to earn a place in League One for the 2024/25 season, and now have their sights on three in a row – with Championship football the potential prize come the end of the campaign.
Of course, Wrexham did exist prior to their Hollywood takeover, and indeed have a proud history, from making waves in the Football League and Europe, to FA Cup giant-killings, to surging up the English pyramid today.
But how did they go from the obscurity of the fifth tier to the verge of becoming EFL heavyweights? And is promotion a realistic possibility by the end of the season? Football FanCast provides you with the latest Wrexham fixtures, results and updates here.
Wrexham owners
Actors Reynolds and McElhenney completed their takeover of Wrexham in February 2021. They replaced the Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST) as owners of the club, pledging £2m of their own money to assume control of the Red Dragons.
It would turn out to be a watershed moment for Wrexham, as along with off-pitch fame and fortune has come plenty of success on the field. At the time of writing, their footballing achievements since the arrival of the Hollywood duo include their astonishing 111-point haul in the National League to secure promotion, while there has also been play-off and cup final heartache along the way.
They have now secured back-to-back promotions, with the Red Dragons set for the third tier come 2024/25.
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ByLewis Thompson Welcome to Wrexham documentary
Having been taken over by acting royalty, the next natural step for Wrexham would be a documentary – something everyone seems to be doing these days.
The first season of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ explored the club’s journey under Reynolds and McElhenney upon their arrival in Wales, as well as the story of the previous ownership and their 2021/22 campaign, which ended in an FA Trophy final defeat at Wembley and a captivating play-off semi-final tie against Grimsby Town, with the Mariners coming out on top as they went on to seal promotion.
The second instalment, which was released in September, chronicled the club’s 2022/23 season, where Wrexham broke records and won fans all over the world – particularly across the Atlantic.
The series also looked into the progress of their women’s team – something Ryan & Rob vowed to invest in – as well as looking back at the club’s giant-killing pedigree in the FA Cup, with Wrexham valiantly bowing out in the fourth round proper last term having begun their journey in the qualifying rounds.
The third season was released in May, and is set to chronicle the club’s most recent season as they returned to the EFL. It is due to conclude later this year, while a fourth season has already been commissioned.
Stadium expansion latest
Reynolds and McElhenney recently stated their desire to expand Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground by increasing the capacity to up to 55,000 – over four times what it can currently hold.
Such plans, if they come to fruition, will make the home of Wrexham one of the largest stadiums in the UK, and by the time any development is completed, it could yet become one of the biggest in the Premier League should the club’s trajectory continue in its current manner.
Back in April, McElhenney told entertainment outlet Collider: “We have a plan in place right now that would eventually work from stand to stand, so eventually you get all four sides. It’s hard to say for sure, but we think we could get between 45 and 55,000 people in there.”
An AI program recently imagined what an expanded Racecourse Ground could look like, offering Wrexham supporters a potential glimpse into the future, which can be seen in the link below:
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ByStephan Georgiou Wrexham in 2023/24
Following their record-breaking campaign that saw them win the National League, Wrexham capped off a fine first season back in the Football League by finishing second on the final day. The Red Dragons’ final-day victory over Stockport saw them end the campaign four points off the top.
After a slow start where they won just one of their opening five games, results began to pick up over the autumn, and Wrexham were into the promotion spots by October.
They picked up their promotion push after a blip following the new year and secured promotion with two games to spare, managing to stay ahead of their rivals throughout the last few months without running away with it.
Stockport would march towards the League Two title, meaning Wrexham were left to battle it out with Mansfield Town for second, with both clubs assured of promotion. Mansfield had the advantage of goal difference, but dropped points against Barrow to drop to third.
In the FA Cup, the Red Dragons also repeated last season’s feat of reaching the fourth round, seeing off Mansfield, Yeovil Town and League One’s Shrewsbury Town before coming unstuck against Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers.
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Elsewhere, their EFL Cup campaign was over in the second round, with Wrexham heading out on penalties to league rivals Bradford City. There was similarly no luck in the EFL Trophy, where despite winning all of their group-stage games, Wrexham were knocked out in the last 32 by Burton Albion.
How League One works
League One consists of 24 teams, with each club playing 46 times across the league campaign – the same number as in League Two. However, there are some notable differences when it comes to promotion and relegation.
There are only two automatic promotion slots, with teams finishing between 3rd and 6th qualifying for the play-offs. Down the bottom, there are four relegation spots, meaning anyone finishing 21st or below will be demoted to League Two.
Last season, sixth-placed Barnsley earned 76 points to qualify for the play-offs, while Portsmouth and Derby County – who were promoted automatically to the Championship – both accrued over 90 points during the 2023/24 season.
At the other end, Burton Albion survived with 46 points, just two more than relegated Cheltenham Town.
Can Wrexham get promoted from League One?
A third successive promotion is rare, and has not been done at this level of English football. And while there is plenty of football to be played between now and this time next year, it could be argued that the initial signs are in Wrexham’s favour.
If the betting markets were anything to go by, Wrexham could be set for yet another promotion bid. Indeed, as of September 2024, Wrexham have remained among the favourites to escape League One since the summer, and are currently priced at 2/1. Clearly, the expectation is for the Red Dragons to be nearer the top of the table come next May rather than in the thick of a relegation fight.
It certainly seems as though this is what we will be in store for at the end of the season. However, we are only in October, so booking dates off for a promotion party is some way off at the moment.
This early stage of the campaign is all about banking points ahead of the run-in this coming spring, and you’d have to say Wrexham are doing a pretty good job so far…
Team
Last season
Odds
Birmingham City
22nd (Championship)
1/5 fav
Huddersfield Town
23rd (Championship)
6/4
Wrexham
2nd (League Two)
2/1
Stockport County
1st (League Two)
5/2
Barnsley
6th
7/2
Bolton Wanderers
3rd
7/2
Peterborough United
4th
4/1
Blackpool
8th
6/1
Season 2024/25 key dates
There are a few key dates for the diary from the outset ahead of Wrexham’s first League One game in two decades, with the EFL releasing the season’s fixtures last month. The FA Cup will return in November as Wrexham enter in the first round proper, while the summer transfer window will shut in five weeks’ time, while there may be one eye on potential dates for a promotion party in early May next year…
14th June 2024
Summer transfer window opens
26th June 2024
2024/25 League One fixtures released at 9am
10th August 2024
2024/25 League One season begins
13th August 2024
EFL Cup first round
30th August 2024
Summer transfer window closes at 11pm
3rd September 2024
EFL Trophy begins
2nd November 2024
FA Cup first round
3rd May 2025
2024/25 League One regular season ends
24th-26th May 2025
EFL play-offs (dates TBC)
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ByStephan Georgiou Wrexham fixtures, results and standings
Pos
Team
Played
GD
Pts
Birmingham
9
+8
22
Wrexham
10
+10
20
Mansfield
9
+6
20
Lincoln
9
+7
18
Wycombe
9
+4
17
Stockport
9
+6
16
Exeter
9
+4
16
Charlton
10
+1
16
Wrexham got back to winning ways with a morale-boosting victory over Northampton Town at the weekend, closing the gap at the top in the process as leaders Birmingham City dropped points to Charlton Athletic.
James McClean’s double, along with goals from Jack Marriott and Elliot Lee saw them coast past the Cobblers, who had equalised before the half-hour mark through Cameron McGeehan. The result stretches the Red Dragons’ long winning run at home, with Phil Parkinson’s side last tasting defeat at the Racecourse Ground in March.
They followed that result by winning by three goals in midweek, dispatching Wolves’ U21 side 3-0 in the EFL Trophy to leave them top of Group B after two matches. Paul Mullin was back amongst the goals, while Modou Faal grabbed a first for the club since his summer move. Port Vale are their next opponents in that competition, with a trip to the Potteries coming up next month.
Elsewhere, two relegated clubs are up next in League One, with a trip to Rotherham United followed by the midweek visit of Huddersfield Town under the Tuesday night lights.
Date
Competition
Opposition
H/A
Kick-off (UK time)
Sat 19th Oct
League One
Rotherham
A
3pm
Tue 22nd Oct
League One
Huddersfield
H
7.45pm
Sat 26th Oct
League One
Charlton
A
3pm
Sat 9th Nov
League One
Mansfield
H
12.30pm
Tue 12th Nov
EFL Trophy
Port Vale
A
7.45pm
With Wrexham’s clash with Lincoln, originally set for 12th October, postponed due to the amount of international call-ups for their opponents, there is now an extended break for the Welsh outfit. Wrexham can enjoy the international break without playing, giving them 11 days’ preparation for their trip to Rotherham in a fortnight’s time.
Wrexham’s impressive form, particularly at home, means that their minor blip in the league has passed without severe damage to their promotion hopes. Not only are the Red Dragons closing in on 7 months without defeat at the Racecourse Ground, but they have won every competitive match during that time – a run spanning nine games since losing to Tranmere Rovers last season.
Wrexham transfers 2024/25
Wrexham strengthened their squad over the summer, as Phil Parkinson brought in five new players. Arrivals included a return for goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who joined permanently having been on loan from Arsenal last term.
Meanwhile, they broke their transfer record twice – firstly, when midfielder Ollie Rathbone came in from Rotherham United, which was believed to be for more than the £300k fee paid for Ollie Palmer two years ago.
Wrexham later sealed the arrival of Mo Faal from West Brom for around £500,000 – Faal made his debut in the 2-1 FL Trophy win over Salford City earlier this month.
There were a number of departures too, including veterans Ben Tozer and Luke Young. Meanwhile, the likes of Callum McFadzean and Jordan Tunnicliffe were released.
Fee
Fee
Mo Faal (West Brom)
£500k
Scott Butler (Marine)
Free
Ollie Rathbone (Rotherham)
£420k
Aaron Hayden (Carlisle)
Free
Lewis Brunt (Leicester)
Undisc.
Owen Cushion (Prescot Cables)
Free
Seb Revan (Aston Villa)
Undisc.
Ben Tozer (Forest Green)
Free
Dan Scarr (Plymouth)
Undisc.
Jordan Tunnicliffe (Solihull Moors)
Free
Callum Burton (Plymouth)
Free
Luke Young (Cheltenham)
Free
George Dobson (Charlton)
Free
Jake Bickerstaff (Altrincham)
Loan
Arthur Okonkwo (Arsenal)
Free
Jordan Davies (Grimsby)
Loan
Luke McNicholas (Rochdale)
Loan
Billy Waters (Halifax)
Loan
Rob Lainton (Released)
n/a
Callum McFadzean (Released)
n/a