Rob and Ryan's Wrexham takeover is now three years old

News of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds becoming the Reds' chairmen shook the world when it first broke in October 2020.

But, it wasn't until a few months later - on February 9, 2021 - that the deal was officially approved.

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds. Credit: Gemma Thomas / Wrexham AFC (Image: Wrexham AFC)

Thanks to them, the Wrexham name is now known throughout the world and is the city itself has become a place to visit on many a bucket list.

Here, the Leader takes a look at just some of the highlights of the last three years for the lovable duo...

YEAR ONE

• February 9, 2021 – Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ takeover of Wrexham AFC is complete. Humphrey Ker is appointed as the club’s executive director with Shaun Harvey and Peter Moore as advisors to the Board. The takeover includes an immediate investment of £50,000 into the women’s football section.
• February 16, 2021 – The first win of the Ryan and Rob era unfolds as Wrexham beat Woking 2-0.
• March 26, 2021 – LED advertising boards are installed at the Racecourse Ground having previously been used at Wembley, including during the club’s last visit in 2015 (But there's another visit to come soon!).
• May 19, 2021 – AFL Architects are appointed to oversee the redevelopment of the Racecourse Ground. Work on the stadium starts in the summer, including a huge refurbishment of the WREXRENT Stand.
• May 31, 2021 – The free club membership sign-up period closes and an incredible 18,226 people from 76 different countries sign up.
• June 30, 2021 – TikTok is announced as new shirt sponsor, as the new home shirt is launched. Former shirt sponsors, Ifor Williams Trailers (and Ryan and Rob!), lend a hand with the official launch as they are announced as the club’s new short sponsor.
• July 1, 2021 – Phil Parkinson is appointed as the new Wrexham AFC manager, with long-serving assistant manager Steve Parkin joining him at the Racecourse Ground.

Paul Mullin on the ball for Wrexham (Credit: Gemma Thomas).

• July 23, 2021 – Paul Mullin signs for Wrexham in a move that leaves fans stunned, as the leading goal-scorer in League 2 in 2020/21 opts to join the club.
• August 8, 2021 – Wrexham AFC Women win on their Racecourse debut, as new striker Rosie Hughes scores four goals in a 6-1 win against Northop Hall Ladies.
• September 12, 2021 – EA Sports partnership announced; Wrexham to feature in ‘Rest of World’ on FIFA 22.
• October 1, 2021 – Powerchair Football is launched at Wrexham AFC – the club becoming the first in Wales to offer it.
• October 26, 2021 – Rob and Ryan make an unannounced visit to Maidenhead United and share the despair of fans, as ten-man Wrexham are beaten 3-2.
• October 27, 2021 – Upon their arrival in Wrexham, the co-chairmen are greeted by hundreds of fans outside the Turf before making good on a commitment to drink with fans when in town.
• October 30, 2021 - Wrexham’s highest National League attendance of 9,813 turn out to welcome Rob and Ryan to the Racecourse Ground against Torquay United. Only a late equaliser spoils the day.

YEAR TWO

• February 17, 2022 - Ryan returns to the Racecourse for some filming!
• March 5, 2022 - Hope that Wrexham can gain automatic promotion to the English Football League grows following five successive wins.
• March 26, 2022 - Wrexham come out on top from one of the most incredible wins of recent memory - coming from 5-2 down to beat Dover Athletic 6-5 in a thriller.
• April 2, 2022 - A Paul Mullin double - in front of the watchful eyes of Ryan Reynolds at the Racecourse - sees Wrexham beat Stockport County 2-0 to book a place at Wembley for the FA Trophy final.
• Mid-April, 2022 - Attendances at the Racecourse are the best they've been in 10 years, with records being broken on a weekly basis.
• April 18, 2022 - Rob hails the 'absolutely stunning' support shown by Wrexham fans as 10,022 fans watch the Reds beat Altrincham 4-0 at home.

• May 8, 2022 - Wrexham keep their title hopes alive with a resounding 3-0 win over fellow title-chasers Stockport County.
• May 13, 2022 - Wrexham FX team confirm the release date for the upcoming 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary which follows Ryan and Rob's takeover journey.
• May 16, 2022 - Rob and Ryan reveal the reasons why they chose to takeover at Wrexham - citing '158 years of fearless devotion' as just one of those reasons.
• May 23, 2022 - Wrexham travel to Wembley for the first time since 2015. Heartbreak sadly ensues as they lose out 1-0 to Bromley in the FA Trophy final - but 20,000 Reds fans travel down to London and make their voices heard.
• May 23, 2022 - And there are stars a plenty along with Rob and Ryan in the crowd - from former Gossip Girl icon and Ryan's wife Blake Lively to actor Will Ferrell and football legend David Beckham.

PIC: David Beckham, Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell at the FA Trophy final between Wrexham and Bromley at Wembley (Credit: PA).

• May 26, 2022 - Rob is back in Wrexham as he stops for pictures with fans outside the Racecourse and at Wrexham Glyndwr University.
• June 15, 2022 - Design for the new Kop stand is released for the first time.
• June 29, 2022 - Wrexham AFC announces that the transfer of the Racecourse Ground freehold from Glyndwr University to Wrexham AFC has been completed. 
• July 6, 2022 - The RR McReynolds Company LLC makes another million-pound investment into the club. 
• August 29, 2022 - Ryan earns himself a LOT of new Welsh fans as he corrects someone who labelled Wrexham an 'English soccer team'.
• Also in August, 2022 - The launch of the Welcome to Wrexham was made and a host of new local stars are born as it shines a spotlight on the community as well as on Wrexham AFC.
• Sticking with August 2022, and Ryan reveals that his wife Blake Lively is also 'obsessed' with the Wrexham project.

• August 20, 2022 - Rob and Ryan return to the Racecourse and Rob's curse of not witnessing a Wrexham win in person ends in style as they hammer Maidstone United 5-0.
• September 2022 - Attendances are so high for the club that they are averaging better crowds than a lot of EFL clubs.
• October 13, 2022 - The success of the first season of Welcome to Wrexham leads to Rob confirming a second.
• October 23, 2022 - There's a day to remember for Rob as he joins fans at the Turf to witness the 1-1 draw with Boreham Wood on the TV. He's brought to tears as local band Declan Swans perform a song in his honour.
• November 2022 - Plans to re-develop the Kop are given the green light by Wrexham Council's planning committee.
• December 2022 - Legendary status is rubber-stamped for Ryan and Rob as they earn 'Freedom of the City' status.
• January 2023 - A magical FA Cup win for Wrexham as they beat Championship side Coventry City 4-3 away.
• January 2023 - And the magic continues as Ryan is in attendance to watch the Reds fight well in a 3-3 draw at home to another Championship club, Sheffield United. They lose the replay 3-1 at Bramall Lane but put in another fantastic performance against a team three leagues above them.
• February 2023 - Wrexham sit second in the National League table - three points behind Notts County and with two games in hand. Could this be the year they make a long-awaited return to the EFL?

YEAR THREE (2023-24)

• March 2023 - Ryan's wife Blake gets her first taste of football in Wrexham as they watch the women's team beat Connah's Quay 2-1 to win their league title.
• April 10, 2023 - A historic day for all involved at Wrexham as they edge closer to promotion back to the EFL with a dramatic 3-2 win over rivals Notts County.
• April 22, 2023 - WREXHAM have done it! Rob and Ryan's dreams come true as the club secures promotion (and the National League title) with a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood. It's the moment fans have waited for for 15 years.
• April 2023 - On the same day, fellow actor Paul Rudd is in town to witness the carnage of the celebrations as Wrexham secured the title.
• May 2023 - Kings of Leon come to the STok Cae Ras alongside Declan Swans and Far From Saints for May Bank Holiday weekend. We think Rob and Ryan may have had something to do with that one!

PIC: Kings of Leon in Wrexham!

• May 2023 - The Wrexham stars are treated to the trip of a lifetime as they make the trip to Las Vegas (courtesy of Rob and Ryan).
• May 2023 - The open top bus parade for Wrexham's title celebrations attract over 40,000 people (and Rob and Ryan) to the town!
• August 5, 2023 - Wrexham make their long-awaited return to the EFL and there's a surprise guest in town alongside Rob and Ryan - Hugh Jackman! Sadly tho.ugh, the Reds lose 5-3 to MK Dons in a thriller
• August 20, 2023 - Highest attendance (10,258) in 16 years at the STok Cae Ras as Wrexham play out a crazy 5-5 draw against Swindon Town.
• September 2023 - Season two of Welcome to Wrexham arrives to fantastic reception once more from fans.
•  November 2023 - M&S are announced as the latest sponsor for Wrexham in another major announcement for the club.
• January 2024 - Wrexham claim another huge FA Cup shock as they beat old rivals Shrewsbury Town 1-0 in the FA Cup third round.
• Present day - Wrexham are in the running for promotion to EFL League One after a strong return to the big time so far. Rob and Ryan are still head over heels in love with the club and the community and life is good!

Taking to Twitter to celebrate the owners' three-year anniversary, Ryan wrote: "Thank you for an incredible three years. It’s completely changed my life. What a privilege and honour it’s been to be folded into this incredible town."

Thank you for an incredible three years. It’s completely changed my life. What a privilege and honour it’s been to be folded into this incredible town. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿@RMcElhenney @Wrexham_AFC https://t.co/bb8qoAq7Ik

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) February 9, 2024

The joy and belief that Ryan and Rob have brought to the Wrexham community has been clear to see time and time again. Long may it continue!

Happy three-year anniversary both!