Five things learnt as Welcome to Wrexham comes to dramatic end

The hugely-popular Disney Plus series has really helped put Wrexham AFC on the map, earning a huge following from overseas in the process.

As well as detailing the takeover journey of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Welcome to Wrexham has also shined a spotlight on the community as a whole.

And with that came the opportunity for some of the club's most die hard and loyal fans to voice their opinions.

As expected, the final three episodes (16, 17 and 18) were gripping and hard-hitting. Here's what we learnt from them ...

READ MORE: Ryan Reynolds has his say on Welcome to Wrexham finale

Wembley - the place for dreams and stars

PIC: The stars at Wembley for the FA Trophy final. Picture by PA Media.

Episode 16 sees Wrexham make that FA Trophy final trip to Wembley, where they eventually lost out 1-0 to Bromley.

But in the build-up, plenty of players, staff and even Ryan hail the experience as a footballing 'dream'.

Being able to step out onto one of the game's most iconic venues is 'overwhelming in all the best ways' for Rob who attends the game with his family for the first time.

Also there on the day were funnyman Will Ferrell, footballing legend David Beckham and Game of Thrones star Kit Harrington who all make a cameo in the episode.

Wembley - also the place for shattered dreams

You can see what the occasion means to the fans in episode 18.

From supporters at Wembley passionately belting out 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' before kick-off to the montage of St Peter's Primary School kids' rap - it's an episode to really get you believing in this club.

It ends in an agonising 1-0 defeat to Bromley, but the star owners and the supporters remain hopeful of promotion.

The 'Bromance'

PIC: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElehnney.

Episode 17 really brings to life the story of how Rob and Ryan first met and how they have become inseparable ever since.

The episode starts with hilarious footage of Rob snubbing an embrace with wife Kaitlin Olsson for a hug with Ryan instead when celebrating a goal (which was later ruled offside) in that FA Trophy final at Wembley.

Rob justifies it by saying 'in fairness who wouldn't want to jump into the arms of Ryan Reynolds?'

The episode tells of how the pair 'became pretty close, pretty fast' with Rob hailing the friendship as 'really special to me'. Awww.

The power of dads

In the same episode, a number of people re-call how they first got into football by attending matches alongside their fathers in a powerful message to viewers.

The likes of Declan Swans singer Michael Hett - whose cancer battle was detailed earlier in the series - Mad4Movies owner Rob Clarke and Wrexham superfan Shaun Winter all share similar tales.

A visibly emotional Rob re-calls going to matches with his father, adding that he 'doesn't remember the games', just remembers being there alongside his dad.

Many of us will relate to that I'm sure.

'All or nothing' situation

Wrexham AFC (Image: Gemma Thomas)

And unfortunately, if you followed Wrexham during the 2021/22 season, you will know that it ended in tears once more.

Having lost out on promotion and been defeated by Bromley in the FA Trophy final, Phil Parkinson describes the play-off match v Grimsby Town as an 'all or nothing' situation in the final episode.

And although it ended in nothing for the Reds, as Grimsby won a 5-4 thriller in extra time at the Racecourse, the documentary ends on a highly positive note. 

The 'fairytale' takeover by Rob - who 'promises' promotion next season (aka this season) - and Ryan has only just begun it seems and, as Ryan subtly puts it in episode 18 - 'we've got to get out of this f*****g league'.

• It has now been confirmed that the documentary will return for a second season in 2023.