Wrexham's co-owner Rob McElhenney has said that he and Ryan Reynolds are "in this for the rest of our lives".
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme ahead of the launch of the upcoming Welcome to Wrexham documentary, McElhenney spoke about the journey since becoming owners and what lies ahead.
He and Reynolds's interest in purchasing Wrexham was revealed in September 2020, and after the Supporters Trust voted overwhelmingly for the takeover, the Hollywood pair eventually became co-chairmen in February 2021.
Since then, there has been major investment, record crowds and play-off heartbreak.
READ MORE: Here's when you'll be able to watch every episode of Welcome to Wrexham
But what first attracted the duo to Wrexham AFC?
"I thought, if you had a team that was in a low division but has the infrastructure because they've had success in the past, to move up those leagues over the course of four to five to six years, couldn't you theoretically take a team from the lowest league and bring them up to the top?" McElhenney told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
I fell in love with a sport, a town and a movie star. I couldn’t help it. ❤️ @VancityReynolds @Wrexham_AFC pic.twitter.com/L76mNmX2cm
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) July 20, 2022
"A lot of people laughed, but a few people didn't and Ryan was one of those people. So I brought the idea to Ryan and said we should try to do this, see if we could find a club and try to advance them.
READ MORE: Ryan Reynolds matches Rob McElhenney's donation to Aria's fundraiser
"At the beginning we thought let's see how long we can last and try and improve this club year after year after year, and then we'll see.
"Now in the last year and a half we've realised we're in this for the rest of our lives."
Since the takeover was announced, everyone and anyone who knows Wrexham, knew that they needed to get out of the National League.
The club are currently in the 15th season of non-league, but there is hope that is set to change this season and the promotion ambitions don't end there.
READ MORE: Where would 'Welcome to Wrexham' rank in list of top football documentaries?
"We have a short and a long-term strategy," McElhenney said.
"The short term is to get out of this league and into the next, then each year we look at what the finances are.
Made it to church on time. @Wrexham_AFC pic.twitter.com/MyNSoPFxQe
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) August 20, 2022
"We recognise that Ryan and I can handle those for the next few leagues but once you start getting up to League One and the Championship you're not building a team that can compete in the Premier League, and obviously that's a completely different game.
READ MORE: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney discuss Welcome to Wrexham
"We have a plan in place for when that occurs but we recognise that's five-six years off.
"It's not that we would sell the club to someone else, it's that we would have to look for some amount of outside capital.
"We don't have any specific plans in place, we just recognise when you're competing with the kind of money that is in Premier League and even Championship football, it's essentially untenable for individuals"
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel