The Wrexham AFC takeover four years later

This month marks four years since Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney made a bid to purchase Wrexham AFC.

September 23, 2020 was a day that stunned many in the footballing world, but four years later, few can argue about the impact the Wrexham owners have had on the North Wales club, the town, community and the sport in general.

As we toast the best owners in football, here’s a look at just how far Wrexham have come under Rob and Ryan.

Where were Wrexham before the takeover?

Before Reynolds and McElhenney became the new owners, this team seemingly had a permanent home in the National League, in their 13th successive campaign in the fifth tier of English football.

There had been agonising play-off heartbreak, the infamous 98-point season, and the very real threat of relegation to the National League North before things finally took a turn for the better.

Their takeover was made official in February 2021, and the Red Dragons finished that National League campaign in eighth under Dean Keates, missing out on the play-offs on the final day of the season.

How have Wrexham fared since then?

The following season, sweeping changes were made to the squad, with Wrexham signing 14 new players between July 2021 and March 2022.

On July 1, the national birthday of Reynolds’ native Canada, the owners made a bold move by naming Phil Parkinson as the new manager.

While Parky had a ton of experience at a higher level, along with the many new players, this group won just one of their first four games in 2021-22.

They went on to finish second in the National League that season, losing a heartbreaking semi-final playoff to Grimsby Town (5-4 in extra-time) as well as losing to Bromley in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley.

Wrexham learned from their shortcoming the following season, outlasting Notts County in one of the most thrilling ends to a National League with the Red Dragons finishing first.

They followed that up with another promotion from League Two last season and are currently second in the League One table with 17 points, two points behind Tom Brady-backed Birmingham City.

Wrexham have been dominant over that stretch, racking up more points than any team in England’s top-five leagues since the start of 2022-23.

That total is now at 216 points in 99 games after their 0-0 draw with Leyton Orient last weekend.

Wrexham’s best signing since the takeover

Since the takeover, Wrexham have made numerous big signings that have paid off, the biggest being Paul Mullin.

The 29-year-old was the National League’s top goalscorer in 2021-22 (26), netting 38 the following season and scoring another 24 in League Two in the previous campaign.

Mullin’s been aided by a fine supporting cast, including Ollie Palmer, who signed in January 2022, along with Arthur Okonkwo, Elliot Lee and Ryan Barnett in recent times.

Super Paul, however, has been their most consistent finisher since the takeover and has evolved into a versatile striker who can score and create openings for his teammates.

Max Cleworth and Jake Bickerstaff are the only players on the team before the takeover who are still with the club, though the latter is currently on loan at Altrincham in the National League.

Wrexham’s worst signing since the takeover

Wrexham can boast a pretty successful transfer hit rate since the takeover, though there are a few additions who failed to ever really live up to expectations.

Charlie Trafford didn’t play a single match following his obscure move to the club in October 2021, while Lee Camp was also an odd addition to the side in March 2022.

As for most disappointing, it probably has to go to Billy Waters, who was signed as cover for Paul Mullin but who was never truly trusted to lead the line in his occasional absence.

After a poor loan-spell with Doncaster Rovers earlier in the year, Waters is back at Halifax Town in the National League and looks destined to leave the Racecourse once his contract finally expires.

Wrexham’s biggest accomplishment since the takeover

Wrexham have achieved many big things under their new owners, but the best might be their domestic home form.

Since the takeover was made official in February 2021 until now, the Reds have suffered only seven defeats at the Racecourse Ground in their domestic competitions.

It’s become a fortress for this club, with Wrexham boasting a 100% home record in League One this season.