Tag: Welcome to Wrexham

How Wrexham AFC recreated popular pub The Turf for its U.S. tour

Wayne Jones loves being able to share his bar, The Turf, and his Wrexham team with new fans.

It may have been July in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, but it felt like home for fans of the Wrexham Football Club. The Welsh team started its four-game U.S. tour on the east coast before a trip to California for two games and finishing in Philadelphia.

One man in attendance was Wayne Jones, owner of The Turf, a popular pub in Wrexham that’s located next door to the team’s stadium. “This is a little bit crazier for me than it is for you,” Jones said to the crowd from the sidelines pre-game at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill as cheers rained down.

Crazy feels like a bit of an understatement for Jones following the frenzy that has occurred since The Turf was featured on FX’s breakout documentary Welcome to Wrexham.

MORE: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were in tears following Wrexham AFC’s long-awaited promotion to the Football League

The show follows the journey of actors Rob McElhenney (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) purchasing the Wrexham AFC and attempting to guide them from the National League — the fifth and final full-time league in the English football league system — to promotion into League Two and beyond. Throughout the 20-episode first season, fans were introduced to both the team and the town of Wrexham, meeting players and locals alike.

As fans became more aware of the team and its long history, they fell in love and started making trips to Wales for games and beers. Of course, those trips included a stop at Jones’s iconic watering hole.

“We’re just grateful, you know. We just open the doors and try our best to run a pub. A pub is nothing without people,” Jones said of the influx of visitors. “It’s not me, it’s not anybody else, it’s the people. The people make the pub. We’re just there to facilitate the best possible experience for them.”

Fans had a chance to get a taste of The Turf before Wrexham’s first stateside match with a pop-up at a fan fest near the Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower next to the football stadium. The pop-up included signage from Aviation American Gin and tastes of Blake Lively’s Betty Buzz flavored sodas.

Jones was able to come across the pond for this American journey thanks Aviation American Gin — owned by Reynolds — and something they’ve dubbed the “Wrexchange Program.”

“Aviation American Gin is kicking off another year supporting Wrexham AFC. As a uniquely American Gin, we thought there was no one better to give the team a proper welcome to America as they tour cross-country,” Ricky Collett, the Global & US Brand Director at Aviation American Gin, told For The Win via email.

“The Turf and owner Wayne Jones are rooted in the Wrexham community’s celebratory traditions, and we’re thrilled to bring that experience stateside for Wrexham supporters here. Fans can now enjoy an American gin cocktail in a traditional pub as they cheer on a Welsh team co-owned by a Canadian.”

Jones has since traveled to California for Wrexham games against the LA Galaxy and Manchester United in Los Angeles and San Diego, respectively, before heading to Philadelphia to close out the trip against the Union on July 28.

Season 2 of Welcome to Wrexham is just around the corner with a premier date of September 12, which will certainly bring more attention to The Turf and Wrexham. Jones welcomes it, and is pleased to share his favorite place with so many new faces.

“I’m glad there are so many people from around the world — not just America, but from around the world — get to experience what we get to experience on a daily basis. It’s a beautiful place full of beautiful people.”

‘Welcome to Wrexham’ season two gets release date

The breakout hit show will return in September for its second season

“Welcome to Wrexham” is coming back soon.

The breakout hit show confirmed on Friday that its second season will debut on September 12 on FX and streaming on Hulu, and internationally on Disney+.

The first season of the show chronicled actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds as they purchased and took over Wrexham AFC, a fifth-tier Welsh club looking to advance up the English pyramid.

The show became a breakout hit in the United States, as the story of the underdog Welsh side resonated with audiences across the country. After the first season’s finale aired last October, McElhenney confirmed that the show would return for a second season in 2023.

The show’s first season was recently nominated for six Emmys, including Outstanding Unstructured Reality Series.

Season two will follow the team in its (spoiler alert!) ultimately successful campaign to earn promotion, as Wrexham was crowned champion of the National League and earned the right to play in League Two in the 2023-24 season.

The team is currently touring the United States in its preseason, with its schedule including matches against Chelsea, Manchester United, and the reserve squads of the LA Galaxy and Philadelphia Union.

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JJ Watt says Burnley investment came after talking Wrexham with Ryan Reynolds

If you’re buying into a UK soccer club, might as well call an expert

It sounds like the audience for “Welcome to Wrexham” includes J.J. and Kealia Watt.

Speaking just two days after the couple announced their investment in Championship-winning Burnley, J.J. Watt said that their considerations over whether to buy into English soccer included a chat with the most famous club owner in North America, Ryan Reynolds.

“I did talk to Ryan. I wanted to get his perspective, find out what his experience has been,” Watt said on Wednesday during an appearance on the ESPN show Get Up. “When you look at the parade they’ve just had, the turnout, and the ability to take eyeballs from around the globe and put them on Wrexham.”

Reynolds and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” actor Rob McElhenney certainly have some expertise to bring to the table for new club owners. Wrexham recently clinched the National League championship, and promotion to League Two, while drawing unprecedented attention in the U.S. for a non-Premier League team.

“I have been a football fan for a long time,” said Watt on where his interest in Burnley began, before noting that being married to an eight-year NWSL veteran with three U.S. women’s national team caps is also a big factor. “Obviously, my wife is a professional soccer player, and I really wanted to get into ownership.”

Burnley ‘slightly different’ from Wrexham

Watt may be new to soccer ownership, but he seems to know full well that Wrexham and Burnley are not in the same situation. Reynolds and McElhenney purchased Wrexham outright in 2021, while the Watts are minority investors with Burnley. ALK Capital, a U.S.-based investment firm, owns the bulk of shares in the Clarets.

Burnley is also three tiers higher than Wrexham, and spent just one season in the Championship after six straight Premier League campaigns.

“Obviously, it’s a slightly different situation from a club perspective, but you want to hear from someone doing it right,” acknowledged Watt before pivoting to a possible similarity between the clubs.

“That’s what Kealia and I want to do, take eyeballs from all around the world and put them on Burnley because we think that town, that story, it’s been around since 1882,” said Watt. “We want people to get to know about Burnley, and there are so many Americans that are getting into the Premier League right now and not knowing which club to support. We want them to support Burnley.”

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McElhenney and Reynolds beg Bale to un-retire and join Wrexham

Could Bale be heading from the golf course to League Two?

After seeing Wrexham promoted to League Two for next season, co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are now hoping to sweet talk none other than Gareth Bale into coming out of retirement to join the Welsh club.

Reynolds and McElhenney definitely have the right idea for a meeting venue, aiming to persuade Bale during a round of golf.

Bale retired after the 2022 World Cup but at age 33, he’s shown that he still has plenty to give when healthy.

That was displayed perhaps most dramatically when Bale scored an equalizer in the dying seconds of last year’s MLS Cup, helping LAFC to a championship in the final club game of his career.

Though Bale seems to be enjoying a retirement that has seen him golf more than ever, Wrexham‘s celebrity owners are hoping that a little bit of cajoling on the golf course, combined with Bale’s Welsh heritage, could get him to change his mind.

For his part, Bale seems open to the idea of a round of golf, if not necessarily the comeback part just yet.

If the chance to play for a TV-star club in his home country isn’t enticing enough, Reynolds offered to sweeten the deal on Twitter, saying he “will shave a professional-grade golf course into Rob’s back if you’ll give Wrexham a season.”

Now that’s pretty enticing.

Wrexham have had some success in this department in the recent past, as former England goalkeeper Ben Foster came out of retirement late in the season and ended up making a vital penalty save for the club on its way to promotion.

Wrexham clinched promotion from the National League last weekend with a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood.

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Wrexham promoted to League Two after securing National League title

Welcome to League Two, Wrexham

Welcome to League Two, Wrexham.

A long campaign in the National League ended in a championship and promotion for Wrexham, who clinched their place in English soccer’s fourth tier with a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood on Saturday.

The subject of FX’s popular “Welcome to Wrexham” show, for the first time in 16 seasons, clinched promotion with one game left to play in their season.

Despite the influx of money and attention that have come since actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney arrived as owners in 2021, it hasn’t been easy. Last year, Wrexham saw the top spot slip away from them, and then fell 5-4 in an epic promotion playoff semifinal against Grimsby Town.

That marked the fourth time they fell short in the National League playoffs, including multiple extra-time losses. Two other seasons ended with Wrexham missing the playoffs by three or fewer points. Heartbreak has been a regular function in the pursuit of a spot in English soccer’s fully professional ranks.

However, an extraordinarily dramatic 3-2 win over Notts County featuring a stoppage-time penalty kick save from goalkeeper Ben Foster seemed to turn the tide in Wrexham’s favor. Hosting Boreham Wood on Saturday, the job was simple: win one more game, and promotion was finally theirs.

Wrexham started the day four points clear of Notts County, whose 5-2 win over Maidstone United kept the league up for grabs. It would take a victory for the Welsh club to finish the job.

That history of things falling apart at the last hurdle threatened to pop up again. Boreham Wood took a first-minute lead, with Lee Ndlovu casually lobbing Ben Foster after a ball over the top caught Wrexham’s defense out.

However, a prolific Wrexham attack got things level by the 15th minute, as Elliott Lee ghosted away from his markers to head home following a driven cross from the right wing.

Needing to push on to claim the three points and get the party started, Wrexham turned to an obvious hero. Paul Mullin started the day with 36 goals in 44 appearances, and you could be sure he’d factor in with a championship within reach.

First, the 28-year-old turned out of a blind alley in the corner, working back towards the top of the box before unleashing a thunderbolt to put Wrexham ahead.

19 minutes later, Mullin sealed the deal, capitalizing on a missed interception at midfield. Suddenly one-on-one, Mullin feinted right before cutting left to finish, setting off wild celebrations at a packed Racecourse Ground.

Finally full time came, and those wild celebrations moved from the stands to the pitch. Fans lifted Mullin up on their shoulders, while in the owner’s box, McElhenney wiped away tears as both he and Reynolds looked equal parts delighted and stunned.

“We’re over the moon to get it over the line,” Mullin told BT Sport after the match. “The fans have deserved this day.”

Once the pitch had been cleared of celebrating fans to enough of a degree that BT Sport could conduct an interview, Reynolds and McElhenney could barely contain their glee.

“People said at the beginning, ‘Why Wrexham? Why Wrexham?’ This is exactly why Wrexham,” exclaimed Reynolds. “What’s happening right now, is why.”

“I think we can hear how it feels to the town [of Wrexham]. That’s what’s most important for us. This is a moment of catharsis for them, and celebration,” said McElhenney, before adding that “Paul Mullin is one of the greatest football players in the world.”

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Wrexham USA tour 2023: Schedule, tickets, stadiums and more

Everyone’s favorite lower-division Welsh side is heading to the U.S. this summer

As its popularity explodes in the United States, the next step for Wrexham AFC looks like an obvious one: tour the United States.

The “Welcome to Wrexham” stars will head stateside in the summer of 2023, with some high-profile matches on their agenda.

Already, matches against Chelsea and Manchester United have been confirmed for the newly minted League Two side, with a game against the LA Galaxy’s reserves also on the docket.

In addition, Wrexham has been confirmed for The Soccer Tournament, a $1 million winner-take-all event in Cary, North Carolina that will feature 7v7 games.

Here are Wrexham’s fixtures for its 2023 summer tour of the United States, including how to purchase tickets.

Wrexham USA tour 2023

July 1-4: The Soccer Tournament — Cary, NC. TICKETS.

July 19: Wrexham vs Chelsea — Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC. TICKETS

July 22: Wrexham vs LA Galaxy II — Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CA. 7:30 p.m. local. TICKETS.

July 25: Wrexham vs Man Utd — Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA. 7:30 p.m. local. TICKETS.

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The ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ writers have really outdone themselves

A 40-year-old goalkeeper coming out of retirement to make the biggest play of the season? Cliché, but we’ll allow it

The next season of “Welcome to Wrexham” looks like it’s going to be a doozy.

The latest plot twist (spoiler alert!) involves a 40-year-old goalkeeper coming out of retirement to make a heroic penalty save in the last second of the biggest game of the season.

A little cliché, we know, but sometimes you can’t beat a classic.

Wrexham was tied with Notts County atop the National League table entering Monday’s showdown at Racecourse Ground. The game had all the makings of a promotion-decider, with only the first-place finisher gaining automatic passage to League Two for next season.

Notts County took the lead on the stroke of halftime, but a wild second half saw Wrexham emerge with a 3-2 lead as the game entered stoppage time.

The visitors were given a chance to level with the last kick of the match, but Ben Foster, a former England international who only came out of retirement last month, stepped up to deliver the save of the season — and a play that could ensure Wrexham’s promotion.

Wrexham won 3-2 and now have a three-point lead over Notts County with a game in hand, and just four games left to play.

The Welsh club’s incredible rise under owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney shows no sign of slowing down. You could barely script it.

Watch Foster’s heroic save for Wrexham

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‘Welcome to Wrexham’ is coming back for a second season

The show about the travails of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds in Wales will be back in 2023

Rob McElhenney has confirmed that “Welcome to Wrexham” will return for a second season in 2023.

The finale of the first season aired on Wednesday night, which was followed by a tweet from McElhenney confirming the show would return next year.

“Tonight is the last episode of SEASON 1 of @WrexhamFX, the actor said.

“SEASON 2 will return next year. I have a clause in my contract that stipulates I will not do anything less than 16 seasons of a TV show,” he added, a tongue-in-cheek reference to his long-running series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

“Welcome to Wrexham” followed McElhenney and fellow actor Ryan Reynolds as they purchased and took over Wrexham AFC, a fifth-tier Welsh club looking to advance up the English pyramid.

The first season of the show chronicled the end of the 2020-21 campaign and the 2021-22 season, in which Wrexham aimed for promotion out of the National League and into League Two.

Season two will feature Wrexham’s current campaign, which began in August and will run through May.

The series has aired in the U.S. on FX and Hulu and in the UK on Disney+.

Viewers in the U.S. who can’t get enough Wrexham won’t have to wait until season two for more, as ESPN2 will broadcast the club’s FA Cup match against Blyth Spartans this Saturday.

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The official trailer for ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ is out

Find out what happens when two actors with no experience in the game take over a fifth-tier Welsh club

FX has released its official trailer for the upcoming series “Welcome to Wrexham,” which documents Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchasing and running Welsh team Wrexham AFC.

The two actors purchased the Welsh side in 2020, despite no experience in soccer and having never even met each other in person.

“Welcome to Wrexham” will chronicle the first two seasons of their takeover, which include a steep learning curve in the game and an unfamiliar Welsh town filled with fans dubious of the pair’s intentions.

The duo has outlined major ambitions including eventually seeing the team reach the Premier League, which would require four promotions.

“Why not dream big? I read that fans of a certain team said that oil money was coming into Wrexham. I can confirm I have no stocks in oil,” McElhenney said at a press conference last year.

Reynolds added that he and McElhenney do at least have “olive oil money.”

Welcome to Wrexham will be released on August 24 in the U.S. on FX and Hulu and August 25 in the UK on Disney+.

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