Wrexham AFC’s rise from the shadows of non-league football to becoming a household name has been nothing short of a Hollywood script.
But while Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have brought sparkle and star power to North Wales, experts are now warning there could be trouble brewing beneath the glitz.
Reynolds, best known for playing Deadpool, joined hands with McElhenney in 2020. Since then, Wrexham has enjoyed back-to-back promotions, boosted by solid investment and global attention.
The club’s story, told through the “Welcome to Wrexham” series, has captured hearts far beyond the UK.
But this growing trend of celebrity owners in lower league football is raising some eyebrows.
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Why the ‘Wrexham effect’ could be hurting lower League Football?
Alex Loven MBE, founder of Net World Sports, explained that while Wrexham’s story is inspiring, it’s also reshaping the landscape.
“The ‘Wrexham effect’ is reshaping the perception of non-league football… What was once thought to be a more subdued area of the football scene is now garnering national and even international attention,” Loven said.
He pointed out how big investments from wealthy owners — like Reynolds — can lead to new facilities, better players, and faster promotions. It’s great for the clubs involved, but what about the rest?
Without financial fair play rules at this level, clubs with less money may struggle to compete. It risks creating a two-speed league — those with celebrity backing, and those left behind.
“You risk a growing imbalance, where only clubs with deep pockets and investor backing can compete,” Loven added.
Wrexham’s spending in the National League and League Two made headlines. Similarly, Tom Brady’s involvement with Birmingham led to record-breaking moves.
More stars could follow, but not all clubs can roll out the red carpet for a movie star.
Wrexham’s journey has shown what’s possible — but football fans know, even fairy tales need a strong supporting cast.
