Ryan Reynolds wasn’t stepping away from the spotlight or the pitch as Wrexham’s celebrations following their 3-0 victory over Charlton continued well beyond the final whistle. For now, Reynolds and Wrexham have their sights set on the Championship, a level the club has not experienced in over four decades, marking their highest standing in 161 years.
The club’s journey to escape non-league after 15 years was a huge relief, and moving up from League Two was expected. But this historic third promotion? That took many by surprise.
As former Wrexham and Wales captain Barry Horne put it: “I didn’t expect this – and anyone who did is lying.” Yet, from the moment Reynolds and co-chairman Rob McElhenney arrived hours before their decisive match, it was clear Wrexham was poised for greatness. Watching their rivals Wycombe Wanderers lose earlier, the Wrexham supporters celebrated even before the game kicked off. 
Manager Phil Parkinson’s message to the players in the locker room was clear: “The door’s been opened for us, now we have to step through it.” And with that, a historic back-to-back-to-back promotion was confirmed.
Parkinson: The Calm in the Chaos
If Wrexham’s rise could be seen as a circus, as Charlton boss Nathan Jones humorously put it, then Parkinson has certainly been the ringmaster. Persuaded by McElhenney to take the managerial role, Parkinson has remained the steady hand guiding the team through the chaos. Despite the spotlight, Parkinson has managed to keep focus, making tough decisions like sidelining past heroes for the good of the team.
The two players Parkinson trusted enough to break the club’s transfer record for—Ollie Rathbone and Sam Smith—scored crucial goals in their victory over Charlton, leading to another pitch invasion and more fan celebrations.
The packed stands, once again sold out, showed just how far Wrexham’s global reach has grown. A sense of disbelief lingered as supporters who had witnessed tough times now reveled in this remarkable achievement.
A Legacy of Support and Hope
Among the fans celebrating was Geraint Parry, Wrexham’s long-time secretary, who had once seen supporters sacrifice everything to keep the club afloat. Now, Parry clutched a bottle of EFL champagne, reflecting on how far the club has come. Nearby, former player Gareth Owen, who had suffered a stroke two years ago, watched the celebrations, thankful for how much Wrexham has achieved.
Mickey Thomas, a hero from the last promotion in 1978, could hardly believe what was happening, yet his pride for Wrexham shone through. His friend, Joey Jones, who had helped shape the club’s success in his own way, might not have been able to attend the match but surely felt the significance of the occasion.
The Future: Premier League Aspirations
As the celebrations wound down, thoughts turned to the future. The next big project? A new Kop stand, with work set to begin soon. With backing from investors like the Allyn family and the continued Hollywood influence, the sky’s the limit for Wrexham. While the goal is ultimately the Premier League, for now, promotion to the Championship will do just fine.
Wrexham’s incredible rise continues to defy expectations, and this is only the beginning of what promises to be an exciting future for the club.
