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Wrexham figures give incredibly emotional post-match reaction to winning promotion

Wrexham figures including their co-owners, players and manager, give an incredibly emotional post-match reaction to winning promotion.

Owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – along with Paul Rudd – in attendance as Wrexham clinch the National League title with 3-1 victory over Boreham Wood.

Paul Mullin was the main man as Wrexham clinched the National League title and a place in the Football League after a 15-year absence in front of over 10,000 jubilant supporters.

They fought back from 1-0 down after 43 seconds, with the result leading to joyous scenes, with the club’s owners – Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – hugging each other and those around them in the stands before taking to the pitch to take part in the trophy lift celebrations.

Mullin, who scored two second half goals, was praised his ‘unbelievable’ teammates for living up to the pressure put on them.

“The character we’ve shown this season has been phenomenal at times and that epitomises it tonight. We’ve had a long time in this division and the fans deserve this day.” he told BT Sport after the game.

“I think after the first minute they were all fearing the worst but this group, we stick together. We have done all season, from the media and everywhere else, all the shenanigans that come with playing for Wrexham, to deal with it the way we have and to come from one goal down tonight it’s unbelievable.

“We knew that Boreham Wood were going to be a tough team to beat and when they went one up we thought it could be even harder but the players we’ve got and the chances we can create are unbelievable.

“We’re just over the moon to get over the line. We’ve come here as favourites and were expected to go up but that makes it even more special when you do it.”

One hilarious moment saw Ryan Reynolds interrupt the Wrexham players’ post-match press conference – and claimed goalkeeper Ben Foster’s match shirt.

But moments before Reynolds’ interjection, Foster said: “I think people thought tonight was a foregone conclusion. I think people think we just turn up to every game and it’s just ‘oh Wrexham will win’.

“Nobody in football… Man City don’t win at home every single game. It’s not as simple as that. They win because they work harder, they’re better technically, mentally they’re stronger.

“That’s the reason why they do it, it’s graft yeah. They have to put the work in, it’s not as simple as turning up and winning. Same as us, we don’t just turn up….we work so hard. And that’s what it’s about.”

Talking to BT Sport’s Jeff Brazier, Foster said: “This is my seventh game and it’s like home already. This club is different, I promise it’s different. That meant a lot, that day. It’s special – really special.”

Questioned what made him return to football and whether he had any regrets, Foster said: “Heck no! Heck no! There’s no other club that I would have come to, to be fair. I know how special the club is, how much the fans love it, and how much it means to them.”

Asked if he felt the pressure that everyone at the club was under to gain promotion because of who the owners are, Foster added: “No. Definitely not. The lads don’t feel any pressure. I promise you, them lads… I don’t think I’ve been in a dressing room full of lads that just go about their job, relentlessly. They don’t moan, they don’t kick off with each other. Everyone gets on so well, there are no big-timers, and that’s the part I love.”

Ryan Reynolds was left “speechless”, while co-owner Rob McElhenney claimed that the feat was the “honour of his life”.

Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Reynolds said: “I am not sure I can process what happened tonight. I am still a little speechless.

“[People ask] ‘Why Wrexham?’. This is why Wrexham. This happening, right now, is why. Boreham Wood showed up today. They are an incredible team. They have one of the best defences in the entire league.

“This entire story, the reason we are all on edge of our seats is because Notts County are so damn good. They deserve to go up. We are rooting for Notts County. We want to see them go up.”

McElhenney added: “Well I think we can hear what it feels to the town. It’s a time of celebration and be welcomed into their community and be welcomed to this, it is the honour of my life.

“I would like to say Paul Mullin is one of the greatest footballers in the world!”

Phil Parkinson said Wrexham fans can enjoy a “big party” over the next few days, and their EFL return after a 15-year absence is the “start of a journey”.

“We’ve kept our feet firmly on the ground,” he said.

“But there’s going to be a big party over the next few days in Wrexham.

“I want all the supporters who have had these tough times supporting the club to enjoy it and really embrace tonight.

“They’ve got really amazing owners – we’ve got amazing owners – who have been so supportive to me and this football club.

“I think everybody knows now about 15 years outside the league, and the journey this club has been on throughout those 15 years has been torturous at times.

“The club nearly going out of business and the owners coming in and what they’ve done and the positivity in the town about the football club and how the players and staff have galvanised that.

“It’s been very special and I genuinely feel this is the start of a journey.

“It’s emotional because I know how much it means to all the people of Wrexham and the supporters.

“There’s a bit of relief as well because losing in the play-offs last year, to put that right this year has been amazing.

“Notts County have pushed us all the way. It’s been an extraordinary kind of year and we’ve had to win nearly every game.

“When we won on Tuesday [against Yeovil Town] to have 107 points – an all-time record – and still not be promoted and still need to go again, it’s been an amazing challenge.

“Credit to Notts County for that but I’ve been immensely proud of the players obviously, staff, all the supporters, everyone that works at the club, the owners.

“Because ever since I’ve been here I’ve sensed that community, togetherness, spirit and that’s what you need.”

“It’s right up there with my best nights as a manager,” Parkinson added.

“It’s right up there because of the magnitude of the club being out of the league for 15 years.

“It’s a stigma if your club is not involved in league football, especially a club with a history of Wrexham and the size and potential of this club.”

Fans gave their reaction as Wrexham figures give their incredibly emotional post-match reaction to winning promotion…

@avfc_2326: These two could teach a fair few owners a thing or 2. Love them or loathe them, what they’ve done has been tremendous. They also come across exceptionally well and I wish them luck

@rickwhufc: How can anyone not love Ryan Reynolds! 🤣 the mans awesome & what them two have done for that club is unbelievable, congratulations @Wrexham_AFC & all the best for next season 👏🏻

@paulmoxey100: As much as I’ve tried it’s just so very difficult to dislike these guys. They’re both very respectful and are obviously both emotionally invested. Well done to @Wrexham_AFC I just hope my boys #Notts produce the goods in the playoffs.

@Numb9rNine: Good owners these two. Always like what I see from them and it’s a pleasure to see owners that clearly care about success on the pitch and inclusivity of fans in an era where foreign investment has such a stigma attached to it, usually rightly too. Congrats Wrexham 👏🏻

@The3Stephens: That’s the main take away for me. The complete respect they have for other teams especially notts, recognising the abject disaster for a team to finish 2nd on potentially 109 points and NOT get automatic promotion is so endearing. So jealous of Wrexham and what they are doing!!

@Paolo80s: How can you not like these 2 , there’s a whole lot of envy in their story going on , most premier league owners you don’t see at games these days yet these Hollywood a listers travel to non league games more than them , fair play

@denimjon: That interview felt like it was done by a football fan as opposed to a slick professional, and it was much the better for it.

@SimonBeals2: Well said @VancityReynolds – Notts pushed you all the way. Great advert for the National League; let’s hope we meet next season in the EFL.

@PaulDav86486288: A lot has been said about Americans coming into English football ! Let these two be an example of how it should be done ! Hats off to them both ! They really do get it ! And of course hats off to the Wrexham team , well deserved !

@Real_lfcfan1: See that’s what football is about, they are talking about the team, the community and what it means to the town, not themselves.

@mitchellnoster: Well done @VancityReynolds for acknowledging how good Notts county are… Without the high profile owners too. I hope Notts county also go up

@bjorge_erik: Respect to them for mentioning Notts County and how good they have been👏🏼🙌🏼 Hope Notts County go up as well! Like they said; they deserve it👍🏻

@gillianmcc51: Got to love these 2 guys, they could have put their money in and just watched from the US, but they are there every other week and now Ryan has bought a home in Wrexham! Fair play to them 👏

@benwrightfeb: Another classy interview. Football is about the community and what it brings, they have both bought into that and it’s so refreshing. Well done Wrexham and enjoy this.

@Hals182: I never thought I’d be drawn in to such a story like Wrexham! Originally these two owning a football team just felt really weird but fair play, they’ve stuck to the team and now reaping the awards! ⚡️ also RR talking about boreham defence Lmaooo.

@Budvarsouthwest: These two have not put a foot wrong. Emotionally intelligent, humble, generous and passionate about the town. Good luck to them.

@dylanwalsh_: I still can’t get over the hate Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElheney get over Wrexham. I would kill for owners as good as them for Southend United, and I pray this story leads to more clubs in the National League getting similar owners. Wrexham’s story has been a joy to watch.

@DapperDan: This right here. Love it. For the life of me I can’t fathom the weird backlash I see on here aimed at Wrexham. They’re living the dream. It’s pure fairytale and the stuff of Hollywood dreams… literally. Rich owners who care, give a shit and want the best for the club. Bring it!!

@jamie_buchanan: Pitch perfect response, from them both, yet again. Say what you want about money, about clout, about PR… it’s simply beautiful to see and hear such passion, pride and empathy for the the sport, the team, their opponents and peers, and the communities they serve #Wrexham

@DanNUFC23: Huge respect for that shout out to Notts County like. Used to like Reynolds even before he bought Wrexham but I have a whole new found respect for him now, the way he’s embraced the sport as well as being very humble along the way. Top man 👏🏻 hopefully Notts County follow them up

@MattBateman1991: Every interview they give they give respect to their opponent, this is why I love what they are doing at @Wrexham_AFC. @RMcElhenney and @VancityReynolds are two of the best owners around. They have bought in to the town of Wrexham and have brought the joy back to football

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