Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney lift the Wanaram National League trophy. Photo: Getty Images/Matthew Ashton. numbers, there is only one that matters: 110. This is Wrexham's current point total, which makes them unbeatable at the top of the National League. Finally.
They did it, as usual, the hard way, but in the end the quality affected. For the 46th and 47th time this season, Paul Mullin serenaded. His pair of shots in the second half flooded Boreham Wood to seal a 3-1 win. Plus more. And much more.
They ensured — along with leveler Elliot Lee — that after months of drama and a 15-year wait, Wrexham would return to the Football League, they achieved promotion to the club's most exclusive 92-member football club.
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This day has been expected since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed their takeover in February 2021. “I'm not sure I can digest what happened tonight. I'm still a little speechless,» Reynolds told BT Sport. “The only thing that goes through my head over and over again is what people said in the beginning, 'Why Wrexham? Why Wrexham? That's why Wrexham is happening right now, that's why.»
Folk festivities began long before the start of the match. Who can blame them? From lunchtime, redshirt after redshirt ran out of Wrexham main station, heading for the local waterholes. The queues at Turf had been snaking since noon. Paul Rudd, seen in an ex, certainly jumped the line. Ant-Man was the hero of the bar, but Mullin quickly supplanted him. “I would like to say that Paul Mullin is one of the greatest football players in the world,” McElhenney intervened, following Reynolds. And he meant it too.
Paul Rudd with Wrexham fans before a match at The Turf pub. Credit: Reuters/Ed Sykes
In Maesgwyn, they previously prayed for a service from Maidstone United. When there were three players at Notts County an hour later, most turned away. They returned when there was only one deficit, but the County soon had five. Few were surprised: the word «easy» is not used here.
Soon they moved to the earth, and the earth was moved by the performance of Yma o Hyd. There were also several owner name check songs. This seemingly awkward marriage between Hollywood and a working-class city thousands of miles away works great. Nobody really knows how. It's just that.
There are cynics, Wrexham's payroll at this level is astronomical. It is, however, not washed here. And it shouldn't. Sweat, love and passion are burned into the historic walls of the Racecourse Ground. If not for the efforts of the fans, there would be no club to buy.
The football club that has flowed through the veins of generations is now pumping blood once again to all corners of north Wales. “I think we hear how the city feels, and that's the most important thing for us,” McElhenney. «For us to be accepted into their community and embrace this experience has been the honor of a lifetime.» Again, he was sincere.
🥲 @VancityReynolds and @RMcElhenney tearfully watched @Wrexham_AFC promo pic.twitter.com/xZ7fCbfaRh
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) April 22, 2023
This title went to Denis, a halftime draw ticket salesman with over thirty years of experience. In the early 1960s, Denis shoveled snow from the field during school lunch breaks. The draw will not take place next season and he expects to be stowaway. His nephew, Steve Watkin, who scored the winning goal in Wrexham's infamous 1992 FA Cup victory over Arsenal, scores rarely. So Denis may no longer come.
It was for Neil Williams. In 2004/05 he became a member of the club's commentary team and in 2004/05 he collected signed shirts from each of the 92 Football League clubs, auctioned them off at Sotheby's and donated money to Wrexham. Even at the word «promotion,» his lips trembled.
Rob McElhenney (left) and Ryan Reynolds (right) celebrate the final whistle. Photo: AFP/Oli Scarff 
Luke Young (center) lifts the National League trophy as players and staff celebrate on the field. Credit: AFP/Oli Scarff Fans celebrate on the pitch. Photo: Getty Images/Oli Scarff
And it was for the countless souls watching from above, including Kenny Pemberton and his infamous pink cab.
The final whistle was met with a release of pure joy that only football can evoke. Tears were shed in the stands, and proper hugs were shared. Not a superficial exchange, but a type that conveys deep but wordless feelings.
Several thousand ignored pre-match instructions not to take the field. First they went to the dugouts, and then they turned in droves to the opposite side of the field. From there, they looked at Reynolds and McElhenney in their suite. It was both a mutual sharing of the moment, and at the same time a symbol of complete isolation from reality, which is a gift from Wrexham.
«It's a little blurry,» admitted manager Phil Parkinson. “Those moments can be a little surreal. Did it really happen? It's a mixture of emotion and relief. But just to see passion, happiness on the faces of our fans.
“Now everyone knows that he has been out of the league for 15 years and the path that the club has taken during these 15 years has been harrowing at times. The club almost goes bankrupt, the owners come and what have they done. There is a positive attitude towards the football club in the city and the way the players and staff brought it to life was very special. I sincerely feel that this is only the beginning of the journey.”
What's next? “Definitely a party,” Parkinson replied. “We have done our job and it is very important that we celebrate this event. We will. I think Wrexham is going to be pissed today and hopefully I'll be in the middle of it at some point!»
The sun didn't always shine on Wrexham. And there is no guarantee that this will always be the case. But right now, despite the Saturday evening drizzle, its rays flood the city. And no doubt few will be awake to watch him rise on Sunday.
Prince William: 'Proud of Wales'
The Prince of Wales congratulated Wrexham on promotion to the Football League after a 15-year absence.
In a private message after the match, William, who is the president of the FA, said: “Congratulations, Wrexham-AFC! A club with such an amazing history that is looking forward to an exciting future in the Football League. Making Wales proud. W".
Wrexham players were seen splashing champagne and singing in the dressing room after the match celebration.
Reynolds and McElhenney were joined by Paul Rudd in their executive lounge as they celebrated Wrexham's title and promotion.
Ant-Man star Rudd was spotted drinking beer and singing songs with fans on the turf outside the city's racetrack before the game.
Paul Novielli, a fan from Kentucky in the US on his fourth trip at Wrexham, he took a selfie with Rudd and Sandy, a fan from Canada, on Turf and called the actor «super cute».
Mr. Novielli, who hosts the Wrexham AFC podcast Up The Town, said that Rudd joined songs including Super Paul Mullin and Allez Allez Allez at the pub as he shared drinks with fans.
Formed in 1864. , Wrexham is the oldest club in Wales and the third oldest professional football team in the world.
The club has played 15 consecutive seasons in the National League, the fifth division of the English football system, but will play in League Two next season.< /p>
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