There were tears and jubilation at Racecourse Ground on Saturday as Wrexham AFC won its first league title in 45 years, securing promotion to the English Football League.
Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney cried tears of joy as they watched Wrexham, who the duo purchase in 2020, reach EFL League Two for the first time in 15 years.
Reynolds and McElhenney were joined in their box by fellow actor Paul Rudd to watch a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood that secured the Welsh side’s passage to the fourth-tier of the English football pyramid.
There were tense scenes at the venue when Boreham Wood’s Lee Ndlovu scored in the first minute of the match, but less than two hours later, Wrexham fans were piling onto the field in celebration.
Wrexham have garnered global appeal since “Deadpool” star Reynolds and McElhenney, most famous for his role in comedy series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, took control from a supporters trust with an initial AU$3.7 million investment.
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“I am not sure I can process what happened tonight,” Wrexham co-owner Reynolds said, speaking to BT Sport.
“I am still little speechless. (People ask) ‘Why Wrexham?’. This is why Wrexham. This happening, right now, is why.”
McElhenney continued: “Well I think we can hear what it feels to the town. It‘s a time of celebration and be welcomed into their community and be welcomed to this, it is the honour of my life.”
Reynolds was full of praise for Boreham Wood after the win.
“Boreham Wood showed up today. They are an incredible team. They have one of the best defences in the entire league,” Reynolds said.
“This entire story, the reason we are all on edge of our seats is because Notts County are so damn good. They deserve to go up. We are rooting for Notts County. We want to see them go up.”
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson told BT Sport: “Amazing feeling I feel so emotional after what the club has been through in the last 15 years. I am so proud of the performance and the fans to go down and to come back.
“To play Notts County and to turn up on the big occasion, I‘m pleased for every single one of them.
“We know how to win games and I just thought if we keep passing it and switching it we will get chances to score.”
Wrexham striker Paul Mullin continued: “It‘s been phenomenal at times. We have had a long time here and the fans deserve this day and this group stick together and we have done all season.
“All the shenanigans to come play at Wrexham and to come from one nil down tonight is unbelievable.”
Speaking on BBC Radio Wales, former Wales and Wrexham midfielder Barry Horne said: “Wrexham deserve to be back in the league after the season they have had.
“It‘s been phenomenal. Commiserations to Notts County, who have pushed them all the way.
“But congratulations to Phil Parkinson, the architect, and Paul Mullin, who will undoubtedly be player of the year. You can go through the players.
“The fans have been brilliant – they have played their part. It‘s been a great season and a great story.”
BBC Wales Football correspondent Rob Phillips said: “There‘s an invasion of the pitch but it’s a joyous invasion.
“They are scenes of ecstasy. After 15 years of pain and heartache and flirting with oblivion, this team are making their own history and it‘s sprinkled with Hollywood stardust.
“Rob McElhenney is in tears.”
– with AFP
