Ben Foster has praised Wrexham’s “extraordinary” journey as Hollywood proprietors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds mark their fifth anniversary at the helm of the Welsh club.
The former England and Manchester United goalkeeper contributed to Wrexham’s ascent from the National League to the Championship, aiding them in achieving the first of three promotions as the club concluded a 15-year absence from the EFL in 2023.
This narrative has gained international attention, largely due to the acclaimed ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ docuseries, which has focused on both the community and the club, highlighting personalities within the locker room and the city itself.
Reynolds, known for his role in Deadpool, and Mac, the creator of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, finalized their unexpected acquisition of the club on February 9, 2021, and have frequently visited the SToK Cae Ras during the past five years.
Notable actors such as Hugh Jackman, Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, and Eva Longoria have been seen at Wrexham matches since the takeover, while supporters from as distant as Australia and Argentina have traveled to North Wales, with many stopping by the now-familiar Turf pub adjacent to the stadium.
Foster remarked to the Press Association: “With Salford City, you have footballers managing the operations who have experienced it all before.
“They understand how football clubs function, and sometimes that leads to a mindset of what won’t succeed. Birmingham has very affluent owners, but Wrexham is distinct.
“Rob and Ryan were not entirely aware of what they were doing when they took over a football club. They invested finances, but they also dedicated their own enthusiasm.
“They infused their personal interest and energy into it in a manner that is seldom seen. I genuinely believe if you asked them what they take the most pride in, Wrexham would rank among their top achievements in acting or business.
“To transform something you didn’t completely grasp into what it is today is a source of immense pride. It’s remarkable.”
McElhenney and Reynolds had actually never met prior to acquiring Wrexham, with the former’s desire to buy a football club sparked by “sitting on the couch watching Sunderland ‘Til I Die” (the Netflix docuseries about Sunderland AFC).
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– Wrexham faces dual injury setback in defeat to Millwall
– After five years under Reynolds and McElhenney, Wrexham is on the brink of the Premier League
Discussions included acquiring Aldershot, Carlisle, and Hartlepool, as well as potential opportunities in Ireland and Scotland.
“We aimed to purchase a club that had a legacy and a bond with the community,” McElhenney stated after he and Reynolds visited Wrexham for the first time.
“As we evaluated clubs, the list became increasingly smaller, and nothing compared to Wrexham.”
During the same press conference, Reynolds — who in 2025 referred to his ownership as the “greatest four years” of his life — expressed: “We would be dishonest if we said the dream wasn’t the Premier League.”
Initially dismissed by some as a “publicity stunt,” that ambitious statement is now remarkably within reach.
Record revenue, fueled by significant growth in commercial income, has been reinvested on and off the field; a thankful local authority honored McElhenney and Reynolds with the Freedom of Wrexham.
Phil Parkinson, appointed as manager within five months of McElhenney and Reynolds taking over from the Wrexham Supporters Trust, has overseen consecutive promotions and guided them into the Championship play-off positions.
Foster stated: “It’s astonishing. It will never be replicated. Non-league promotion, promotion, promotion, and already being in promotion positions at this level is unbelievable.
“I mentioned a year or two ago that I believed they would reach the Premier League within three, four, or five years.
“Escaping the Championship is a significant challenge — it’s a demanding, competitive league with substantial financial stakes. However, they have approached it correctly — they have empowered the manager to recruit the players he desires and to comprehend who they are.
“There is no reason they cannot continue to advance, as this achievement will never be duplicated.”
