THE impact of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds on women’s football at Wrexham must never go un-noticed.

While long-term plans were in place for the women’s team, their role has seen a rapid development and they even ended up with them, joining the women’s team during the bus parade through the town in May.

“Their support is massive,” said Reds star Amber Lightfoot. “The fact they came on the women’s bus instead of the men’s showed how much they care for the women’s side and how much they want us to get the recognition.

“It is them, they’re the driving force behind making the women’s team so strong and they’ve had a massive impact on it. I only just joined when they took over the club and since then it’s gone from 0 to 100.”

Boss Steve Dale now has the chance to increase Wrexham’s profile in the Adran Premier League.

“The preparation has already begun behind the scenes for our first season back in the top flight, and this is an important step as we look to finalise the squad for the challenges that lie ahead,” said Dale as the club made history but announcing its first batch of semi-professional contracts for the women’s team.

“Each of the players have been a credit to the football club, on and off the pitch, and I am delighted to be able to continue working with them as we look forward to this next chapter together.

“We are delighted to have our first players signed up to semi-professional contracts, after the role they played in our promotion last season.

“These players have proved their ability on the biggest stages we’ve played on, and we are delighted that they have signed up to become Wrexham Women’s first semi-professional players.”