Rob Faulkner, the director of business and communications at Wrexham AFC, recently spoke to AS in Madrid, reflecting on the remarkable transformation the club has undergone since its acquisition by Hollywood actors.
Back in 2021, when Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took the helm at Wrexham AFC, the club was languishing in the amateur ranks and facing financial collapse. The Wrexham Supporters Trust had played a vital role in preserving the club’s existence during those turbulent times. However, what many considered a pipe dream quickly began to materialize as the new owners set their sights firmly on reaching the Premier League.
The Rise of the Red Dragons
Despite skepticism, the duo’s ambition has been rewarded with an incredible ascent through the English football pyramid. Since their takeover, Wrexham AFC has achieved three consecutive promotions, rising from the National League to the Championship via League Two and League One. This progression has captivated fans and observers alike, proving that the club’s goals were anything but fanciful.
Rob Faulkner, who joined the club in 2024 after leaving a senior position at the European Club Association (ECA), has been an eyewitness to this extraordinary journey. Having arrived just as Wrexham entered League Two, he recalls the excitement and rapid developments that have shaped the club’s recent history. “Rob and Ryan arrived in 2021 and since then it has been incredible,” Faulkner told AS, emphasizing the remarkable turnaround in such a short span.
The partnership between Hollywood and Wrexham has not only brought financial stability but also renewed hope and ambition to a club that was once on the brink of extinction. The Red Dragons now stand as a testament to visionary ownership and dedicated leadership, with fans daring to dream bigger than ever before.