EFL Championship · Championship · Wrexham, Wales, England · STōK Cae Ras (Racecourse Ground)
Wrexham Association Football Club
The oldest club in Wales and the third-oldest professional club in the world, Wrexham have been reborn under the Hollywood ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, whose three promotions in four seasons have carried the club from the National League to the Championship for the first time in their history — a fairytale chronicled by their global documentary series.
1864–2008
The Football League Years
160 years of history, Welsh Cup glory, and European nights
Wrexham AFC were founded in 1864 at the Turf Hotel in Wrexham, making them the oldest club in Wales and one of the oldest in the world. The Racecourse Ground, their home since the club's formation, is the world's oldest international football venue, having hosted the first international match on Welsh soil in 1877.
Wrexham were members of the Football League from 1921 to 2008, spending the majority of that time in the Third and Fourth Divisions. The club's proudest achievements included winning the Welsh Cup a record 23 times and using it as a springboard into European competition. The most famous night in the club's history came in the 1984 Cup Winners' Cup when Wrexham defeated Porto at the Racecourse Ground. In domestic football, the club reached the FA Cup quarter-finals on several occasions and famously beat Arsenal 2-1 in the third round in 1992, with Mickey Thomas's thunderbolt free kick providing one of the great FA Cup moments.
Relegation from League Two in 2008 sent Wrexham into the National League, ending 87 years of continuous Football League membership. It was a devastating blow to a proud club with a deep history.
Key Facts
- Founded in 1864 — the oldest club in Wales and third-oldest professional club in the world
- The Racecourse Ground is the world's oldest international football venue
- Won the Welsh Cup a record 23 times
- Beat Porto in the 1984 Cup Winners' Cup and Arsenal in the 1992 FA Cup
2008–2021
Non-League Exile
Fifteen years in the wilderness
Wrexham's spell in the National League lasted fifteen long years. The club made several attempts at promotion through the play-offs but were unable to escape the fifth tier. Financial difficulties, ownership instability, and the emotional toll of watching a proud club stagnate all took their toll.
The Wrexham Supporters Trust took ownership of the club in 2011, becoming one of the largest fan-owned clubs in British football. The Trust stabilised the club's finances and maintained its community roots, but lacked the resources to invest in a squad capable of winning promotion. By 2020, Wrexham had become a symbol of the harsh realities of non-league football — a historic club trapped in the fifth tier with no obvious way out.
Key Facts
- Spent 15 years in the National League (2008-2023)
- Wrexham Supporters Trust took ownership in 2011
- Multiple failed play-off campaigns
- Financial limitations prevented the investment needed for promotion
2021–Present
The Reynolds & McElhenney Era
Hollywood comes to Wrexham — and delivers back-to-back promotions
In November 2020, it was announced that Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool, Free Guy) and Rob McElhenney (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) were seeking to buy Wrexham AFC. The proposal was met with a mixture of excitement and scepticism, but the Supporters Trust approved the takeover in February 2021 with 98.6% of members voting in favour.
What followed exceeded all expectations. Reynolds and McElhenney invested heavily in the playing squad, the Racecourse Ground, and the surrounding community. The FX/Hulu documentary "Welcome to Wrexham," which debuted in 2022, turned the club into a global sensation, attracting new fans from around the world and shining a light on the culture and community of lower-league football.
On the pitch, manager Phil Parkinson built a squad capable of dominating the National League. Wrexham won the title in 2022-23, ending their 15-year exile from the Football League. The following season, the momentum continued as the club secured another promotion from League Two, reaching League One for the first time since 2005. Back-to-back promotions, a global fanbase, and a Racecourse Ground undergoing significant redevelopment — Wrexham's transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Key Facts
- Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed their takeover in February 2021
- The documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham' became a global hit on FX/Hulu
- Won the National League title in 2022-23 under Phil Parkinson
- Achieved back-to-back promotions to reach League One in 2024