06 November 2023 , 12:34
895
0
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says co-owner Rob McElhenney was the first person to get in touch to reassure him after a hammering which threatened to derail the Red Dragons' promotion push.
McElhenney and fellow actor Ryan Reynolds have taken active roles since their takeover approach for Wrexham went through. Parkinson's team secured promotion to the Football League last season after a 15-year absence, but top spot in the National League wasn't always secure during a tough title battle.
It hasn't all been smooth sailing since, either, with Wrexham twice conceding five this season as they look for a second straight promotion. Parkinson opened up on the second of those, a 5-0 loss at Stockport in September, during an acceptance speech at the FWA Northern Writers' Awards ceremony.
"Every promotion or title or cup you win as a manager is hard," Parkinson said. "It's really, really, really tough. It's tight dividing lines all the time and you need really good people alongside you.
"With the glitz and the glamour of the Hollywood owners, that's great, but Rob and Ryan are really genuine people. Honestly, they've been so supportive to me and [assistant] Steve Parker, and I'm sure Steve will back me up on that, not only financially if we need to get a player in, but also moral support every time they come over or if we've had a bad result.
Ryan Reynolds mispronounces name of new Wrexham signing in hilarious video
"We got beat 5-0 at Stockport a few months ago, the first text I got was Rob McElhenney [saying] 'Phil, we're right behind you, we're right with you'. And that means as much as being supportive financially."
Will Wrexham win a second straight promotion? Have your say in the comments section
Co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have made regular trips to Wrexham (AFP via Getty Images)Since that loss at Stockport, Wrexham have gone on a seven-match unbeaten run in the league to lift themselves into an automatic promotion spot. They also claimed a narrow win at Mansfield in the first round of the FA Cup, setting up a second round meeting with Yeovil, and Parkinson praised the work of his staff along the way.
"Steve, Dave Jones, Aidan Davison [and] all the medical staff have been outstanding, and no manager should ever kid themselves that you are so good that you're going to go in and you're going to be successful without a really good support team," he added. "You need good people... you need a good family with you, but a good support team is so important.
"Finally I'd just like to congratulate Notts County as well, because I think ourselves and Notts County put the National League on the map last year with an extraordinary title challenge, and we've fought tooth and nail against each other, we really did. Great credit to Luke [Williams] and his team as well, and we were delighted when they finally got promotion as well."