Wrexham reveal big news while Reynolds and McElhenney make class gesture to fans

Wrexham reveal some rather big news while owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney make a class gesture to their loyal fans.

It’s exactly one year since the Hollywood owners took over, but now to mark the occasion, they announce that the National League club, is set to regain the Racecourse Ground freehold.

Wrexham’s chairmen say talks with owners Wrexham Glyndwr University are at an advanced stage with the purchase expected to be completed before April 2022.

Wrexham have not owned the ground’s freehold since 2011, and when asking fans what they’d like to see happen, it would seem their wish is granted.

The pair have also made 365 gin and tonics available – one for every day they’ve been in charge – at the Turf Hotel pub which is attached to the club’s Racecourse Ground.

𝙀𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙛 / 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙃𝙤𝙢𝙚

🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/ts9c7Gomok

— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) February 9, 2022

CLUB STATEMENT:

February 9, 2022, marks two significant landmarks for Wrexham AFC.

It is exactly one year ago, that Rob McElhenney & Ryan Reynolds bought the Club, becoming co-chairmen and custodians of the Red Dragons.

The Club can also confirm that discussions with Wrexham Glyndwr University to purchase the freehold of the Racecourse are now at an advanced stage with Heads of Terms agreed. It is anticipated that completion of the purchase will be concluded by the end of March.

On completion, the freehold will return to the Club for the first time since August 2011.

A survey of the Club’s fans was completed in November 2021. The survey confirmed that 94% of the respondents would be supportive of the Club purchasing the Racecourse Ground.

Rob & Ryan have confirmed they will ensure that protection is provided in the various agreements, so that the Racecourse Ground will remain the home of Wrexham AFC until at least 2115, unless a move away is necessary because the Racecourse Ground is no longer capable of meeting the Club’s requirements.

The co-chairmen said, “It was clear even before we bought Wrexham AFC that bringing the Racecourse Ground back to the Club was massively important for the fans who’ve come through the turnstiles to support the Red Dragons.

“There is nothing more symbolic that owning your own home and while Wrexham Glyndwr University have always been supportive of our ambition, we are delighted to now have control of our own destiny.’

“The backing we received in the supporter’s survey was the ultimate vote of confidence and was all the motivation we needed to provide the loan funding to make this happen.

“We would like to thank Wrexham Glyndwr University for their support and for being such good neighbours to the Club.”

Wrexham AFC chairmen’s anniversary message

To the supporters, staff, players, friends, and family of Wrexham AFC.

It is difficult to believe that it is a year ago today, we became the owners of the Club and pledged to be good custodians.

The year has gone in the blink of an eye, we have learned so much and more importantly feel like we are fully integrated into everything Wrexham.

There can be no doubt that the highlight of the year was our visit in October. The reception, experience and general feel of warmth moved both of us beyond anything we could have possibly imagined and made us even more determined to be successful.

We, ably supported by those who work for the Club, have already achieved so much but we know there is much more that needs doing if we are to meet our goal of growing the team, securing a return to the EFL in front of increased attendances at an improved stadium while making a positive different to the wider community in Wrexham.

It would be easy to only refer to those actions that were well received but we also recognize that not everything has gone off, without an issue or two. We are not going to dwell on either, other than to repeat our commitment to do everything, in our capability and control, to meet our stated goal.

We have provided the Manager with the playing resources to give ourselves the best chance of gaining promotion. We can now only sit back like everyone else and support the team in each game, where the only 90 minutes each week that actually makes the difference, takes place.

Off the field, we recognise that redeveloping the Kop is the only way to significantly move the dial in terms of increasing the capacity of the Racecourse Ground. We can’t do that on our own and a significant announcement in this regard will be made at Noon today.

It feels like the community are close to the Club and not only those who come through the turnstiles but those who are supportive from a distance. We wanted our time at the Club to be defined by the benefit we could create for the community and are proud of the progress to date, although we are only just getting started.

We still have some of the actions we committed to in the Mission Statement to fully deliver against and will be in a better place to review our own performance at the end of the season, which we will do in the transparent way we promised.

In closing, you have all been great for us and we aim to be great for you too.

Rob & Ryan

Twitter users reacted as Wrexham reveal big news while Reynolds and McElhenney make the class gesture to fans…

@agwilliams86: A fantastic message to all of our previous owners that this IS THE WAY to run a football club. Good injection of capital, listen to its fan base and act on it and not for self worth. Thank you Rob and Ryan! Should have a statue in good outside cae ras

@Andy_Wrex: Slightly nervous it’s back in our hands after the Hamilton fiasco. But no doubt Rob & Ryan have earned our trust over last 12 months so very positive news. Cant wait to sit in The Joey Jones Kop

@craigyjones17: Really fantastic news to add our historic ground back in the hands of the club and also a very important asset back on the balance sheet. Thanks so much Rob & Ryan

@aled174: Been waiting for this day for a long, long time. The club owning the ground once more…and no concerns over the future of our club or the Cae Ras. We’ve lucked out. Happy anniversary @RMcElhenney @VancityReynolds

@Ryankirky15: What a game changer

@rexham: Brilliant just brilliant

@richholmes85: Fantastic news this! Onwards and upwards with @RMcElhenney and @VancityReynolds

@Jon_hughes1: Well I never. These guys just keep giving. No longer the days of dodgy rip off owners. Never sell us Rob & Ryan!!

@heynowfish: Amazing news!!

@huwtroberts: Free drinks one day, a return of the ownership of our Stadium the next. I’ve said it before, and I’ll probably say it again countless times, but @RMcElhenney and @VancityReynolds are bloody good eggs!!!

@Chloeeproctor: Phenomenal!

@JonJolley: I’ve never wanted to kiss two men more than I do @VancityReynolds and @RMcElhenney. This is great news for our club and our town! Dai iawn

@capaled: Massive news this for the club to move forwards and progress off the pitch

@beardywxm: They really are spoiling us now!! We have our stadium back.

https://t.co/IQlc9M9VsK pic.twitter.com/nH6rL7iNUa

— Tom (@spuderz92) February 9, 2022