Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have been graded against a series of ‘hard promises’ to Wrexham fans when they first pitched to buy the club
It’s been just over five years since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac outlined their ambitions for Wrexham as potential owners of the football club. The Red Dragons have experienced a remarkable rise since the pair formally assumed control, achieving an extraordinary three successive promotions under the stewardship of manager Phil Parkinson.
While progressing from the National League to the Championship, the North Wales outfit has been transformed into a worldwide phenomenon through the hit Welcome to Wrexham documentary series. There were some disappointments during the early phases, as Wrexham came agonisingly close to securing promotion from non-league football in May 2022 before losing to Grimsby in the play-off semi-finals.
Reynolds and Mac outlined a number of “hard promises” to supporters in a mission statement published on the club’s website when they presented their bid to buy Wrexham back in November 2020, but how successfully have they fulfilled those commitments? Here, WalesOnline assesses the celebrity duo’s performance following a busy few years.
Provide comprehensive financial support for the manager and his coaching team
The Hollywood pair have certainly backed up their words with action since assuming ownership. There was considerable speculation amongst supporters during the early stages about the level at which the club would be shopping. Would it be Waitrose, Tesco or Lidl? In reality, it appears more akin to Harrods.
Firstly, they secured a manager with Football League experience and several promotions to his name in Phil Parkinson. That was followed by a series of impressive player signings, including Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer and Elliot Lee, all of whom played crucial roles in Wrexham’s recent promotions.
The co-owners have consistently supported Parkinson in every transfer window, most notably splashing out £33million this past summer to assemble a squad capable of cementing its place in the Championship. The new recruits included club-record signing Nathan Broadhead, who joined from Ipswich for an initial fee of £7.5m.
The investment has been bolstered by a comprehensive modernisation of Wrexham’s backroom operations. As it stands, a push for the Championship play-offs might be a stretch, but the owners have equipped Parkinson with all the necessary resources for success.
Grade – A
Always beat Chester
It’s impossible to evaluate them on this point as Wrexham’s historic rivals are currently in the National League North. This commitment actually appeared three times on the original list, but has yet to be put to the test.
Grade – N/A
Explore the renovation of the Racecourse Ground and improve the venue for the club, for international matches and perhaps, the occasional Tom Jones gig
Since the takeover, efforts to construct a new Kop stand at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground have been underway, albeit with several hitches. Initial obstacles included navigating planning legislation and securing government funding.
Further complications arose on-site, such as the need to relocate a live power cable and erect a new substation. Adding to these challenges, the club’s owners opted to overhaul the initial design of the stand.
Approval was previously granted for a 5,500-seat stand, but this has since been upgraded to a proposed 7,750-seat stand, pending final approval. In the interim, site preparation has kicked off in earnest, with heavy machinery recently arriving to lay the groundwork.
While Welsh icon Tom Jones has yet to make an appearance, the Kings of Leon did host two sold-out performances at the Racecourse in May 2023. It’s difficult to award top marks without the completion of the Kop, but progress is accelerating.
Grade – B
Invest in a permanent training facility that is worthy of an EFL club
Preliminary work was undertaken by the club to pinpoint a location for a permanent training facility, with several potential sites identified. However, this has not culminated in any concrete plans, with Wrexham alternating between various temporary bases in the meantime.
The squad currently trains mainly at Colliers Park, a facility built by the club during the 1990s, which was subsequently bought by the Football Association of Wales due to financial constraints. Wrexham chief executive Michael Williamson has recently acknowledged that the hunt for suitable land continues, though constructing a new facility would require a “three-to-five year process”.
For now, Colliers Park is anticipated to remain in use. However, this matter requires urgent attention if Wrexham hope to keep drawing top-quality players.
Grade – C
Guarantee the club cannot be relocated, renamed or rebranded. Appropriate and respectful observance of the Gresford Colliery Disaster will remain sacrosanct
Cardiff owner Vincent Tan quickly upset supporters following his purchase of the club in May 2010. His decision to alter Cardiff’s colours from blue to red sparked outrage amongst fans.
Whilst these concerns have mostly been addressed since, Reynolds and Mac were determined to prevent similar controversy when acquiring Wrexham. They’ve honoured their commitment, with no intentions to move or rebrand the football club.
The club’s commemoration of the Gresford Colliery disaster, which claimed the lives of 266 miners in 1934, has been exemplary. In recent years, Wrexham have played a significant role in fundraising for The Wrexham Miners Project, a charitable organisation dedicated to preserving the heritage of the local mining community.
Grade – A
We will create an honorary board that includes fans, representatives of the WST and WAFC alongside our own advisors
Following the takeover from the Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST), it took some time for Wrexham to set up the fan board. Originally called the “club advisory board”, the group’s initial efforts to represent supporters’ perspectives received limited attention.
The board has since been renamed the “fan advisory board” with pledges to enhance the connection between the club and its fanbase, though questions remain about how effective it has proven to be. With any luck, there will be positive developments ahead.
Grade – C
Ensure the continued presence of Dixie McNeil as the club’s honorary president, subject to his desire
This one was fairly straightforward. The owners invited Wrexham legend Dixie McNeil to remain in his position as the club’s honorary president, and the former player and manager accepted the offer soon after the takeover was finalised.
Grade – A
Expand club staff to take advantage of increased interest in Wrexham, both locally and internationally
Recent years have witnessed a succession of new appointments – a significant shift from the predominantly volunteer-based efforts that previously sustained the club. Among the most notable was the appointment of former Inter Milan executive Williamson as Wrexham’s CEO last year.
Since his appointment in May 2024, the club’s permanent workforce has surged from just 40 to 120. Speaking on That Wrexham Podcast, he said: “We previously had people who were doing six, seven or eight jobs at the club, and it’s just not sustainable for the speed that we’re moving at.”
Grade – A
Work with the club’s disability liaison officer, Kerry Evans to retain and enhance Wrexham’s reputation as an inclusive and forward-thinking club
Following four years of voluntary service, Kerry Evans received one of the most important full-time roles during the early phase of the takeover. The club’s disability liaison officer has worked tirelessly to ensure supporters with disabilities enjoy the best possible match day experience, including transforming the Racecourse into an autism-friendly venue.
It was hugely encouraging to see this work acknowledged, and the momentum has been maintained. Reynolds and Mac have also demonstrated numerous touching acts of generosity through donations to local charitable causes.
Grade – A
Commit to a more ecologically sustainable version of the club and stadium
This particular promise likely sounded sensible initially, but can an organisation that frequently charters flights for players travelling to away fixtures genuinely claim environmental sustainability? This clearly remains an area requiring significant progress.
Grade – D
Commit to transparent decision-making with regular and open communication
Communication was a sticking point in the early days as rapid changes left some fans feeling disconnected from key decisions. However, there has been significant improvement since then, with Wrexham’s owners and club management making themselves accessible to answer queries on fan podcasts and other platforms.
Maintaining an effective two-way conversation can be difficult in the football industry, but Wrexham are certainly making a concerted effort.
Grade – B
Ensure that when the day comes that we leave the club, it will be in a better position than it is today
It remains uncertain how long Reynolds and Mac will remain at Wrexham or what the future holds after their departure. However, there are no immediate indications of them stepping down.
In crucial aspects of running the club, such as achieving success on the field and investing in infrastructure, they have more than delivered. Critics often question the club’s long-term viability, but the arrival of new minority investors in October 2024 and addressed some of those concerns.
The Allyn family from New York have already contributed substantial financial support, with additional backers arriving this month to aid the club’s ambition to reach the Premier League and maintain its status there.
Grade – B
