14 September 2023 , 14:18
958
0
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney admitted Wrexham could have been in a grave position if they had not achieved promotion back to the English Football League (EFL).
Caught in a dramatic tussle with challengers Notts County for the only automatic promotion slot, their place in the EFL was far from a formality last term. Pushed for the title by their rivals for much of the season until the final weeks, it is now clear Wrexham's promotion tilt carried extra significance.
The North Wales club's co-owners have lifted the lid on the inner workings of the club as part of the Welcome to Wrexham docuseries. While the Hollywood pair are known for their goofy outlook on life, their concern was plain to see as they discussed the Red Dragons' financial situation.
Footage from the second season of the FX show demonstrates the team's recent success has not come without risk. In one episode, McElhenney even admitted: "From a financial perspective, if we do not get promoted this year, we are f*****'," with Reynolds agreeing, saying: "Yep, f***'."
Phil Parkinson's men would eventually seal at return to League Two as National League champions, following a 15-year absence from the division. However, Reynolds revealed another year outside the EFL could have led the club on a path towards financial turmoil. Admitting that the co-owners were facing a potentially dire situation, the Deadpool megastar said: 'We're heavily invested in building this club, the stadium itself, and if we don't get promoted this year, the club is completely, totally and wholly unsustainable.
Ryan Reynolds mispronounces name of new Wrexham signing in hilarious video
"So its really ratcheted up the pressure, not just for us but for the players on the field, the people in the community, this year we have to get promoted." This was a sentiment shared by his business partner McElhenney, who also seemingly felt that the club simply could not afford to not earn promotion. He also felt leading Wrexham into financial trouble would have reneged on their promises to the fans and the wider community.
The It's Always Sunny writer added: "If our goal from the very beginning was not just to win, not just to help bring some hope and optimism to the town but to build a sustainable business, something that can continue long after we've gone. For us to put them in a position where if they don't get promoted this year, that they are no longer sustainable in any real way, is counter to what our original promises were."
Following the goalscoring heroics of talisman Paul Mullin and a crucial 3-2 win over Notts County in a title-decider, Wrexham eventually won promotion. This season, the National League champions sit seventh in League Two after back-to-back wins.