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Wrexham press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz – Racecourse Ground Wrexham co-chairmen Rob McElhenney during a press conference at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham. Picture date: Thursday October 28, 2021. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xPeterxByrnex 63373165
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Wrexham press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz – Racecourse Ground Wrexham co-chairmen Rob McElhenney during a press conference at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham. Picture date: Thursday October 28, 2021. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xPeterxByrnex 63373165
Wrexham AFC, a club based in Wales, was earlier known as the world’s third-oldest soccer club. But now we know it as a club owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The celebrity duo took over the club in February 2021 by investing $2.5 million. The decision, however, was initiated by McElhenney, and an ex-Liverpool executive played an important role in the decision.
It was the year 2020 when the Covid pandemic hit the world. Almost everything stopped. McElhenney took this time to watch some documentaries on soccer. It ignited his interest in buying a club. A documentary on English club Sunderland that started the whole thought process of owning a soccer club with the former Liverpool executive’s advice proving crucial in purchasing Wrexham.
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Former Liverpool CEO’s crucial advice
McElhenney had a two-hour chat with ex-Liverpool CEO Peter Moore over soccer. It came after McElhenney’s interest in buying a soccer club became concrete. The duo discussed the world’s third-oldest club, the Wrexham community, and the surroundings. The discussion proved crucial in McElhenney’s decision to buy the Red Dragons.
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Football – Vanarama National League – Wrexham v Boreham Wood 22nd April 2023 – Vanarama National League – Wrexham v Boreham Wood – Wrexham celebrate with the trophy – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside. Wrexham UK *** Fußball Vanarama National League Wrexham gegen Boreham Wood 22. April 2023 Vanarama National League Wrexham gegen Boreham Wood Wrexham feiert mit der Trophäe Foto Simon Stacpoole Abseits Wrexham UK PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xSimonxStacpoolexOffside
Moore spoke about it on the YouTube channel, Fearless In Devotion. He said, “I offered every ounce of whatever wisdom and experience I had to support him. We had a great chat about the history of the club, the history of the town, the coal-mining and the agriculture, all the way to beast market down there, and the steelworks in Brymbo and everything that had made Wrexham what it was and the tough times that we went through.”
“He got a real feel for it and he explained to me that during lockdown he discovered ‘Sunderland Till I Die’, and he watched it and it immediately resonated with him, and told me, ‘This is Philadelphia’, ‘this is no different than the old days of being an Eagles fan or a 76ers fan,” Moore added.
Rob McElhenney and his decision to buy Wrexham AFC
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The discussion with Moore changed the whole perception of McElhenney. He always wanted to buy a club in the lowest division, and the picture created by the ex-Liverpool man about the club and the community made McElhenney think that he can do better with the club and rejuvenate a community that has fallen on difficult times.
The decision immediately resonated with his friend Ryan Reynolds. They both held a meeting with the members of the Wrexham Supporters Trust. The duo got the backing of around 98% members. On February 9, 2021, the Hollywood duo took over the world’s third-oldest soccer club.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Wrexham Owners Net Worth Comparison
Let us know your thoughts on how the Red Dragons will fare in the League Two next season.
