Wrexham A.F.C. PROFILE

Wrexham are the oldest football club in Wales and claim to be the third oldest surviving football club in the world, having formed in 1864.

But their current fame owes less to their history and more to the emergence of a global fan base thanks to their high-profile ownership and astute marketing through a series of TV documentaries.

The club is owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who completed their much-publicised takeover in 2021. 

Since then, their investment has revitalised the club, carrying them through successive promotions and helping raise their global popularity.

Wrexham currently compete in the English Football League (EFL) League One, the third tier of English football.

The Dragons, as they are known, have enjoyed some famous moments in their history, including a shock FA Cup victory over Arsenal in 1992 and a record 23 Welsh Cup triumphs that saw them regularly compete in European competition.

Wrexham play their home matches at the Racecourse Ground, which is the world’s oldest international football stadium still in use, having hosted Wales’ first home match in 1877.

The club’s greatest achievement in recent history came in 2023 when they secured promotion from the National League, ending a 15-year absence from the Football League. 

They followed that up with a strong League Two campaign, aiming for back-to-back promotions. On 13 April 2024, the club secured a second consecutive promotion to League One.

Wrexham were founded in 1864 and initially played in regional competitions before joining the Football League in 1921.

Their first golden era came in the 1970s and early 1980s when they won the Third Division title in 1978 and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in 1974 and 1978. 

READ MORE: Phil Parkinson Tells Wrexham Players: You Weren’t Up For The Fight

They also enjoyed European adventures through their Welsh Cup victories, famously defeating FC Porto in the 1984-85 Cup Winners’ Cup.

However, financial struggles saw the club endure a number of struggling seasons, although they could still be relied upon to rouse themselves to greatness in one-off Cup ties.

Perhaps their most memorable was the 1992 victory over a star-studded Arsenal team in the third round of the FA Cup.

Wrexham went 1-0 down but equalised with a spectacular free-kick by club legend Mickey Thomas in the 82nd minute - arguably, the most famous goal in the club’s history.

Moments later, striker Steve Watkin scored Wrexham’s winner, although they lost in a fourth round replay to West Ham.

Hard times followed and Wrexham were relegated from the Football League in 2008, plunging them into non-league football. 

They spent 15 years in the National League, coming close to promotion multiple times before finally winning the title in 2023 under manager Phil Parkinson.

Since their return to the Football League, Wrexham have been on an upward trajectory.

Backed by Reynolds and McElhenney’s investment, the club has attracted high-profile players and staff, fueling their ambitions to climb further up the English football pyramid.

Wrexham have been home to several legendary players over the years, including Thomas, Joey Jones, Arfon Griffiths, and more recently, Paul Mullin, whose goals were instrumental in securing their return to the EFL.

The club’s revival has been documented in the hit television series "Welcome to Wrexham," which has helped gain a worldwide following and brought new attention to both the club and the town.

Wrexham maintain rivalries with several clubs, including Chester, Shrewsbury Town, and fellow Welsh clubs Newport County and Cardiff City.

With strong backing, a growing global fanbase, and a squad capable of challenging for further promotions, Wrexham’s future looks bright as they continue their resurgence in the Football League.