“The Welcome to Wrexham documentary series and all the hype that comes with having Hollywood owners in Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds means the cameras are always going to be honed in on me and my players,” Phil Parkinson explained. The cameras have been ever-present at the SToK Racecourse, capturing the highs and lows of the team’s journey.

More than just the starry glamor of Hollywood, what Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney brought to the takeover of Wrexham AFC in 2021 was a full-fledged documentary series. The hit show Welcome to Wrexham chronicles the rise of a club from underdog status to record-breaking glory, with manager Phil Parkinson as one of its standout stars. His fiery dressing-room speeches and ‘what-you-see-is-what-you-get‘ approach have won hearts and raised eyebrows, all while steering his team through an extraordinary chapter in their history. But what happens when a small-town football club gets thrust into the global spotlight with Hollywood’s finest at the helm?

Wrexham in the spotlight and their journey through it

Despite the constant filming, the team has adjusted remarkably well to their unusual working environment. “A dressing room is quite a unique place on a match-day. Normally, it’s a very private area, but we’ve let the cameras in, and they’ve seen it all, warts and all” Parkinson admitted during a pre-season tour of America and Canada. “It’s a challenge, but it’s part of the job. Keeping the lads grounded is important because they’ve got an unusual, extraordinary amount of attention for players at the level we’re at.” We hope that the success of the documentary doesn’t get inside the players’ heads and steer them off their path because an important year lies ahead.

Wrexham AFC has a transformative 2025 ahead. With plans to sign ex-England striker Patrick Bamford, promotion chances might not come through salary or injury woes. Improvements are underway regarding the Kop stand to 5,500 additional seats within the STōK Cae Ras stadium, including the establishment of a modern training facility that meets constant local opposition.

Linking with Reynolds and McElhenney’s vision, a potential North American tour could widen the club’s global presence. Furthermore, the team aspires to make its way into the Championship, continuing its very remarkable League One journey.

With fame comes new responsibilities, and Parkinson has ensured his team remains focused on the pitch for the upcoming season.

Phil Parkinson’s passionate and unique leadership model driving Wrexham’s success

Naked visceral passion has characterized Phil Parkinson’s presence at Wrexham AFC. This has garnered an emphatic response from the fans and new Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The case in point is the fiery pep talks peppered with F-bombs which are typical features of every Parkinson’s dressing room scene in the Welcome to Wrexham documentary. Whether he’s rallying after a rough half or rejuvenating a side after a hard-fought win, unbridled intensity and sincere devotion to the players have been instrumental in their development.

Parkinson’s passion has been more than motivational. It creates trust and authenticity in the team and the documentary crew. “We’re really close with the filming crew,” said the Wrexham coach. However, he admitted it is hard to have cameras around constantly. His unique style of leadership has distinct states in the series and helps him deploy the right tools at the right time.

Since then, Wrexham has been transformed from basement divisions of the National League into League One, with record-breaking spectacles. Although there is a camera from the other end for all the world to see, Parkinson has managed to keep his men looking towards the goal and oriented to make history with a third consecutive promotion. His fiery leadership is the continued driving force of success for the clubs.