Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney | Wrexham AFC Watch

yumtum

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I had a look at wiki as I have no clue and looks like a chequered ownership history to say the least, there's even a link to Qatar in there - the original Jassim bid! Interestingly the current owner's company seem to be like a mini Starlizard.
I thought you were joking bout the Qatar bid! Crazy ownership history, can't remember Kasper Schmeichel playing there either.
 

Melbourne Red

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Another win for them. Now second on the table, 5 points behind Stockport but Mansfield Town have a game in hand below them.

I hope they get promoted. It'll make great TV.
 

Melbourne Red

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Notts Co seem to be playing great football and only using free transfers from my limited knowledge - a genuine football manager story
Ahh, I had no idea they were relying on free transfers to do this. They must resent the shit out of Wrexham.
 

SAF is the GOAT

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Deadpool and Wolverine talking about "the old and good days" while doing a puzzle

 

horsechoker

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On a bad run the last 3 games and have slipped out of the automatic promotion places.

Are they suffering from injuries?
 

Terranova

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On a bad run the last 3 games and have slipped out of the automatic promotion places.

Are they suffering from injuries?
Isn't that just League 2 atm. The number 1 has 4 losses so far, numbers 2 to 7(last playoff spot) have between 7 and 11 losses. It's just very close and most teams had bad runs.
 

Stobzilla

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I do wonder what will happen if they don't go up, Parkinson should be walking at least Automatic promotion with the squad he has.

Depending on the situation at Peterborough come the end of the season they could do much worse than talking to Darren Ferguson, he's made a career of getting teams to at least the Championship.

Won't hurt that he is extremely well thought of by their fan base, he was Captain the last time they were in the 2nd Division making over 350 appearances in total.
 

top1whoisman

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I do wonder what will happen if they don't go up, Parkinson should be walking at least Automatic promotion with the squad he has.

Depending on the situation at Peterborough come the end of the season they could do much worse than talking to Darren Ferguson, he's made a career of getting teams to at least the Championship.

Won't hurt that he is extremely well thought of by their fan base, he was Captain the last time they were in the 2nd Division making over 350 appearances in total.
Judging by everything I’ve read and heard, they’re very happy with Parkinson’s work. I don’t think they’d consider the season as a failure even if they didn’t go up straight away.

They had the patience to give him another season to get out of the National League, not sure why they wouldn’t do the same in a tougher league.
 

salford82

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I do wonder what will happen if they don't go up, Parkinson should be walking at least Automatic promotion with the squad he has.

Depending on the situation at Peterborough come the end of the season they could do much worse than talking to Darren Ferguson, he's made a career of getting teams to at least the Championship.

Won't hurt that he is extremely well thought of by their fan base, he was Captain the last time they were in the 2nd Division making over 350 appearances in total.
Plus the Alex Ferguson relation would do wonders for their doc
 

Stobzilla

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Judging by everything I’ve read and heard, they’re very happy with Parkinson’s work. I don’t think they’d consider the season as a failure even if they didn’t go up straight away.

They had the patience to give him another season to get out of the National League, not sure why they wouldn’t do the same in a tougher league.
I think it was a harder job to get out of the National League and I think the consensus is that there isn't much that separates Lower-Mid Table in League 2 to just outside the playoffs in the National in terms of overall quality. Given the 4 promotion spots and the money they spend I think they would think that they should be out of the league this year. I don't think they necessarily pull the trigger on him if he doesn't go up, but it will put some pressure on the start of next season for sure.

As Salford above me alludes too, there is a home-run decision which ties in a tried and tested operator at this level, who is also a club legend and the son of the most famous manager in football history. As much as it makes me gag as a purist (read, snob) Rob and Ryan are looking at growing Wrexham as a brand world wide for a full on assault towards the PL, taking that decision would probably help them immeasurably towards that.
 

Alex99

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Judging by everything I’ve read and heard, they’re very happy with Parkinson’s work. I don’t think they’d consider the season as a failure even if they didn’t go up straight away.

They had the patience to give him another season to get out of the National League, not sure why they wouldn’t do the same in a tougher league.
General consensus is that League Two isn't necessarily that much tougher than the National League. The two relegation/promotion spots basically means that plenty of absolutely shite teams survive relegation while plenty of actually half-decent sides miss out on going up.

From 2013/14 to 2022/23 (the 10 seasons prior to this one):
  • not a single team promoted from the National League was immediately relegated straight back to it
  • two were promoted straight into League One (Bristol Rovers automatically, Tranmere Rovers via the play-offs)
  • a further two immediately made the play-offs (Lincoln and Stockport)
  • seven have achieved automatic promotion (Bristol Rovers, twice, Luton, Cheltenham, Lincoln, Forest Green and Leyton Orient)
  • of the 19 teams promoted in that time (Grimsby have been up twice), only four have since been relegated (and one of them was Grimsby who have since come back up, obviously)
  • only seven have failed to make the play-offs (or better) on at least one occasion (and four of them won promotion to League Two in 2019/20 or later)
When you consider how much Wrexham have spent compared to other teams, automatic promotion is a very achievable goal, although that's not to say they should bin off Parkinson.
 
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lsd

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I started rooting against them again their manager went into his rant about Injured keeper in pre season. Not too mention they might have put Rochdale out of business
 

LawCharltonBest

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I saw a piece some time back that speculated that the Hollywood guys wanted Wrexham in large part due to the success of "Sunderland til I die" and "Ted Lasso" - basically they wanted to buy a club, put their names to it to increase popularity and then cash in on that popularity through TV

The club is still worth keeping hold of and is a potential cash cow if they do climb the divisions, but I can see them losing interest if they stagnate in League 2 and the TV money dries up
 

Alex99

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I started rooting against them again their manager went into his rant about Injured keeper in pre season. Not too mention they might have put Rochdale out of business
I've always semi-followed them (checked the score on the weekend, mostly) as I'm from North Wales and they were basically the local team.

I joined the Wrexham subreddit just after the takeover and can see why they're very easy to hate these days. The Americans on there are larhely absolutely insufferable, and have basically chased out all of the local fans from discussing anything.

Aside from the constant "what's a football?" type posts, they will regularly talk-up Wrexham and the players as Championship-level "at least" because of that FA Cup run last season, and have, on multiple occasions, discussed the danger of losing Paul Mullin to a Premier League or Saudi team, despite him never actually doing anything above League Two.

It is funny seeing them plan what must be incredibly costly trips to an absolute dump of a town though.

I saw a piece some time back that speculated that the Hollywood guys wanted Wrexham in large part due to the success of "Sunderland til I die" and "Ted Lasso" - basically they wanted to buy a club, put their names to it to increase popularity and then cash in on that popularity through TV

The club is still worth keeping hold of and is a potential cash cow if they do climb the divisions, but I can see them losing interest if they stagnate in League 2 and the TV money dries up
They've already said they might only be in it for a short time, whether that's because they need a new investor to make the next step up or whether they've simply done all they can at the level they're at (read: it's now costing them money they're no longer willing to part with).
 

next_number_seven

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I saw a piece some time back that speculated that the Hollywood guys wanted Wrexham in large part due to the success of "Sunderland til I die" and "Ted Lasso" - basically they wanted to buy a club, put their names to it to increase popularity and then cash in on that popularity through TV

The club is still worth keeping hold of and is a potential cash cow if they do climb the divisions, but I can see them losing interest if they stagnate in League 2 and the TV money dries up
They won't stagnate in L2 but will in L1 I think.

The documentary will end eventually I think also.
 

Big Andy

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I've always semi-followed them (checked the score on the weekend, mostly) as I'm from North Wales and they were basically the local team.

I joined the Wrexham subreddit just after the takeover and can see why they're very easy to hate these days. The Americans on there are larhely absolutely insufferable, and have basically chased out all of the local fans from discussing anything.

Aside from the constant "what's a football?" type posts, they will regularly talk-up Wrexham and the players as Championship-level "at least" because of that FA Cup run last season, and have, on multiple occasions, discussed the danger of losing Paul Mullin to a Premier League or Saudi team, despite him never actually doing anything above League Two.

It is funny seeing them plan what must be incredibly costly trips to an absolute dump of a town though.



They've already said they might only be in it for a short time, whether that's because they need a new investor to make the next step up or whether they've simply done all they can at the level they're at (read: it's now costing them money they're no longer willing to part with).
I don't agree with the short term thing, they seem to be in it for the long term, as they're building new stands and have upgraded the stadium already. I think their goal is to make it largely self financing so that they don't have to keep plowing money at it, and the Disney stuff and the yanks getting into it (buying shirts, merch, etc) is all part of that.

The locals (I live in Wrexham) all hate the yanks who come over, as tickets are hard enough to come by as it is (I've tried to take my stepsons but can't get tickets for love nor money as I don't have the contacts like I do for United tickets). You'd have to be deranged to come to Wrexham on holiday from Florida like some cnuts I was speaking to last season in town.
 

Alex99

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I don't agree with the short term thing, they seem to be in it for the long term, as they're building new stands and have upgraded the stadium already. I think their goal is to make it largely self financing so that they don't have to keep plowing money at it, and the Disney stuff and the yanks getting into it (buying shirts, merch, etc) is all part of that.

The locals (I live in Wrexham) all hate the yanks who come over, as tickets are hard enough to come by as it is (I've tried to take my stepsons but can't get tickets for love nor money as I don't have the contacts like I do for United tickets). You'd have to be deranged to come to Wrexham on holiday from Florida like some cnuts I was speaking to last season in town.
I don't think they want to be in it for the short-term but they have literally said (I think it's even in the documentary) that they're not going to outstay their welcome, and there may come a time (and soon) when the club needs more than they can give.
 

SteveCoppellFan

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I've always had the belief that Parkinson is not the right manager to take Wrexham to the next stage tbh.

I might be doing him a disservice and maybe he is the right manager for league 2 but anything higher then probably not.
 

ATXRedDevil

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I don't agree with the short term thing, they seem to be in it for the long term, as they're building new stands and have upgraded the stadium already. I think their goal is to make it largely self financing so that they don't have to keep plowing money at it, and the Disney stuff and the yanks getting into it (buying shirts, merch, etc) is all part of that.

The locals (I live in Wrexham) all hate the yanks who come over, as tickets are hard enough to come by as it is (I've tried to take my stepsons but can't get tickets for love nor money as I don't have the contacts like I do for United tickets). You'd have to be deranged to come to Wrexham on holiday from Florida like some cnuts I was speaking to last season in town.
Interesting dynamic. Ticket availability and pricing aside, surely it's been a boon for the local community with visitors coming in and spending money in town?
 
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I don't think they want to be in it for the short-term but they have literally said (I think it's even in the documentary) that they're not going to outstay their welcome, and there may come a time (and soon) when the club needs more than they can give.
I remember that but needs to be in context.

The not outstaying their welcome comment was if things don’t go well and fans would prefer a change.

The “more than they can give” bit was saying that they’re probably not the people to fund a PL level club (Ryan possibly has the money (with bank support) but it’d be a much bigger ask, even for him).

I don’t think they’re in it as some form of cash cow. Yes, they might make money but the initial buy and investment since is a few £m and theres no guarantee of success at non league level, especially given the one up (directly) rule…. as Wrexham showed when missing out to Stockport then losing play offs. Can Ryan afford to gamble a few £m, absolutely but never a certainty or close to one.
 
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Interesting dynamic. Ticket availability and pricing aside, surely it's been a boon for the local community with visitors coming in and spending money in town?
Doesn’t automatically equate as you’d think it would. (Edit. The exception is probably The Turf (pub built into ground) and the burger van outside).

The ground is on the edge of town (few hundred yards from the bypass, few hundred yards from town) and I doubt many visitors would be spending many (any) nights in Wrexham and definitely not wandering into town to try out Primark, Home Bargains, etc. The only touristy things are the church (old/nice) and the Gresford mining disaster museum (mentioned in the Disney show).

More likely they stay in the surrounding area and come for the match only. Chester’s 8 miles down the bypass (loads for tourists), Liverpool an hour away, Manchester a bit further, Snowdonia similar. There’s lots of options of places to stay, rather than stay in Wrexham itself.
 

Alex99

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I remember that but needs to be in context.

The not outstaying their welcome comment was if things don’t go well and fans would prefer a change.

The “more than they can give” bit was saying that they’re probably not the people to fund a PL level club (Ryan possibly has the money (with bank support) but it’d be a much bigger ask, even for him).

I don’t think they’re in it as some form of cash cow. Yes, they might make money but the initial buy and investment since is a few £m and theres no guarantee of success at non league level, especially given the one up (directly) rule…. as Wrexham showed when missing out to Stockport then losing play offs. Can Ryan afford to gamble a few £m, absolutely but never a certainty or close to one.
I didn't mean to suggest they're just in it as a cash-cow (because buying a football team that's been stuck in the fifth tier of English football for an eternity is a terrible investment if your aim is making money).

They've both got a clear affection for the club and the local area, but the fact remains that they aren't going to hang around forever just because of that, and especially if it starts costing them money they aren't prepared to invest.

They're riding a Disney+ wave at the moment, but the documentary will have a shelf-life (especially if the club linger around League One and League Two for a while, which is very possible), and as I understand it, it's the documentary money that's doing a lot of the heavy lifting with the current investments into the stadium, squad, etc.

It's probably going to make for reasonably compelling viewing even if they miss out on promotion this year, but if they miss out again next year, or spend multiple years mid-table in League One after being promoted, it's going to be hard to make that an entertaining watch to anyone but the most invested viewers.

From what I've read, they've probably got enough to make a go of League One without additional investment, but even that's likely to be a big step up from what they've been used to in the National League and League Two and be a multi-season project to go up from. The Championship is a whole different ball game, let alone a push for the Premier League (or premiere league as the yanks like calling it).
 

next_number_seven

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I didn't mean to suggest they're just in it as a cash-cow (because buying a football team that's been stuck in the fifth tier of English football for an eternity is a terrible investment if your aim is making money).

They've both got a clear affection for the club and the local area, but the fact remains that they aren't going to hang around forever just because of that, and especially if it starts costing them money they aren't prepared to invest.

They're riding a Disney+ wave at the moment, but the documentary will have a shelf-life (especially if the club linger around League One and League Two for a while, which is very possible), and as I understand it, it's the documentary money that's doing a lot of the heavy lifting with the current investments into the stadium, squad, etc.

It's probably going to make for reasonably compelling viewing even if they miss out on promotion this year, but if they miss out again next year, or spend multiple years mid-table in League One after being promoted, it's going to be hard to make that an entertaining watch to anyone but the most invested viewers.

From what I've read, they've probably got enough to make a go of League One without additional investment, but even that's likely to be a big step up from what they've been used to in the National League and League Two and be a multi-season project to go up from. The Championship is a whole different ball game, let alone a push for the Premier League (or premiere league as the yanks like calling it).
Rob has said numerous times he wants to be involved til he dies.

I agree though that the documentary will run out of steam eventually and also I think they'll get stuck in L1 for a few seasons. I think a fair few of their international fans will lose interest around this time too.
 

Alex99

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Rob has said numerous times he wants to be involved til he dies.

I agree though that the documentary will run out of steam eventually and also I think they'll get stuck in L1 for a few seasons. I think a fair few of their international fans will lose interest around this time too.
Rob isn't the one stumping up the money though, Ryan is. If Ryan wants to pull out, then Rob's only option to stay is as a minority stakeholder, which might not be something that's possible under new ownership.

I agree about the international fans. At the moment, Wrexham are winning more than they're losing. I can't see a lot of them sticking around when that changes, even if it's in a higher division.
 

Big Andy

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Interesting dynamic. Ticket availability and pricing aside, surely it's been a boon for the local community with visitors coming in and spending money in town?
It has, but it’s only really the pubs making the most of it. Considering they were getting pitiful crowds a few years ago they must be raking it in
 

Ole'sgunnarwin

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Big win today, in to 2nd, 3 points behind 1st. Next 2 home games are at home where they seem quite strong. Really enjoyed the documentary, think Reynolds and Mcilhenny come across really well in both seasons
 

Nero

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Big win today, in to 2nd, 3 points behind 1st. Next 2 home games are at home where they seem quite strong. Really enjoyed the documentary, think Reynolds and Mcilhenny come across really well in both seasons
Back down to third. Come on County.