20 July 2023 , 06:15
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Wrexham have been on cloud nine since winning the National League title - but they were given a reality-check against Chelsea to start their long-awaited US tour.
The Red Dragons were beaten 5-0 in Mauricio Pochettino's first game in charge of the Premier League giants. Ian Maatsen opened the scoring after just three minutes and although Phil Parkinson's side gave a good account of themselves, the Blues ran riot in the latter stages.
It was a reminder of just how far Wrexham have to go in order to be competing with the biggest clubs in English football and fulfilling Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's unlikely Premier League dream. But McElhenney does not appear to be put off by just how far they have to go, sending a message to Chelsea after the game that he hopes their paths will cross again in the not-too-distant future.
McElhenney, who missed the game but hopes to attend the next three games of their US tour, wrote on Twitter : "Thank you @ChelseaFC !!!! Hopefully we’ll see you again in 5 years or so".
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The Welsh club have captured the imaginations of the American public following the release of documentary series 'Welcome to Wrexham' charting their rise under McElhenney and Reynolds. A crowd of over 50,000 watched them face Chelsea in North Carolina with thousands of those fans cheering for the newly-promoted League Two club.
A big factor in the interest in Wrexham is their place in English football's pyramid and their ability to rise - or fall - through the leagues. Their return to the Football League marks a major breakthrough, and it is no secret the ultimate dream is to reach the Premier League.
Speaking last season during their FA Cup run, Reynolds told ESPN : "We want to walk the walk, even as a fifth-tier club. We say this all the time, but we want to be in the Premier League, as crazy as that sounds to some people.
"If it is theoretically possible to go from the fifth tier in professional football all the way to the Premier League, why wouldn't we do that? Why wouldn't we use our last drop of blood to get there? We're in it for the ride. This is a multidecade project."
Speaking last month, Wrexham CEO Fleur Robinson said: “It’s fantastic how the owners have invested in the club and the community. It's amazing to be a part of it and the interest and growth has been incredible.
"The club has seen turnover rise from £2.5m to £20m and as part of their mission statement they made it clear they wanted to develop the stadium, increase crowds, and make a difference in the community. They are also aiming for the Premier League. There are no major timescales attached to this but it’s the ultimate ambition.”
McElhenney's latest message to Chelsea confirms that ambition remains - even if the meeting of the two teams highlighted the gulf that still exists between them at this early stage.