“Got out the National League With a League Two Budget”- Despite Praising Hollywood Owners, Wrexham’s Fierce Rival Dismisses Their ‘Underdog’ Promotion Story

Wrexham AFC was able to capture the hearts of football fans all over the world when they lifted the National League trophy and secured promotion to EFL League Two after a stunning 2022-23 season. As much as the credit goes to the players and coach, the same should go to the Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds, and Rob McElhenney.

Ever since the takeover, the duo has completely revitalized the club. However, not everyone is impressed with Wrexham’s story. One of the teams they will go against in League Two, Grimsby Town FC, has dismissed Wrexham’s underdog story.

Wrexham is not an ‘underdog’ for Grimsby Town boss

Grimsby Town FC finished in the 11th position in the last League Two season and its chairman, Jason Stockwood, recently sat for an interview where he talked about the team’s preparations for the upcoming season. He also shared his views on Wrexham and their promotion story.

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He commended the Hollywood duo for their role as owners saying, “I love what they’re doing”. Stockwood further commended their commitment and added, “They’re bringing glamour, which is benefiting them as well as the football league”. However, he went on to express his skepticism about Wrexham’s fairytale promotion story.

Wrexham was once on the brink of extinction and struggling in the fifth division. The takeover did a miracle and now they have earned promotion in what many have considered as a ‘fairy tale’ or ‘underdog’ story. But Stockwood doesn’t feel the same. He believes that the big signings they have made, and the investment from their wealthy owners, have removed the underdog status.

Stockwood believes, “They got out the National League with a League Two budget”. Nonetheless, he did give them their flowers, in the end, saying, “Still, that doesn’t take away from what they’ve done and it’s brilliant for their town”. While some might agree with this statement, some even might argue that they brought in much-needed investment. Whatever the case may be, it is not the first time Wrexham has faced such comments.

Wrexham’s biggest National League rival also feels the same way

During the 2022-23 National League season, Wrexham faced stiff competition from their biggest rival, Notts County. Despite pushing each other to their limits, Notts County ultimately fell just four points short of the top spot. However, Notts County star player Jodi Jones believes that Wrexham’s promotion story is anything but a fairy tale.

He explained, “People were saying it’s this mad fairy tale… They have literally got League One players, you expect them to be up there”. Jones also believes that the Notts County promotion was more deserved if “coming down to the football played this season”. Regardless of how one views Wrexham’s story, it is clear that their promotion has made them one of the most exciting teams to watch in League Two.

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What are your thoughts on these statements? Let us know in the comments.