Home>soccerNews> The chief executive of Wrexham is confident that the club can strive for promotion to the Premier League. >

The chief executive of Wrexham is confident that the club can strive for promotion to the Premier League.

The chief executive of Wrexham is confident that the club can strive for promotion to the Premier League.

1 hour ago
Ryan Reynolds and  Rob McElhenney celebrate Wrexham's promotion to the Championship
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney celebrate Wrexham's ascent to the Championship.KYA BANASKO / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP
The Hollywood story of Wrexham AFC is just beginning, stated the club's chief executive on Friday, as the Welsh team continues its surprising journey to enter the English Premier League.

Since Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney acquired the Welsh club in 2020, Wrexham has become the first team to achieve three consecutive promotions from England's National League to the second-tier Championship.

Wrexham will face the relegated former Premier League team Southampton in their Championship opening match on August 9, a scenario that club chief executive Michael Williamson described as a "pinch yourself" moment.

Williamson, speaking in Wellington during the club's preseason tour in Australia and New Zealand, mentioned that success is more than just being present.

"The expectation is, and Rob McElhenney might say he doesn't understand this term, but we obviously need to solidify our position in the Championship," Williamson told AFP.

"If we find ourselves in December, halfway through the season, in that 3-4-5-6-7 position, people should be concerned about us.

"Because I believe that if we reach the playoffs with our mentality, anything can happen in 90 minutes.

"I genuinely think we have a strong chance of making a run for it."

The Welsh underdogs struggled for years in the lower divisions of English football before being bought by Reynolds and McElhenney and gaining fame through the "Welcome to Wrexham" documentary.

They are returning to the Championship - just one tier below the Premier League - for the first time in over 40 years.

These assertive sentiments were echoed by former Wrexham player and current club ambassador, Ben Tozer, who was also in New Zealand for the tour.

"It's a huge challenge, don't get me wrong," Tozer remarked.

"However, the momentum of our club, four years of pure success and moving in the right direction, winning far more games than losing. We could catch some people off guard."

The right individuals

Fellow club ambassador, former Wrexham and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster, noted that the club distinguished itself by hiring the right individuals.

"If you assess it realistically, the harsh truth is that money will start to play a significant role now," Foster told AFP.

"When you have players and teams relegated from the Premier League, they come with high salaries and are valuable players because of their quality.

"But I believe Wrexham can approach it differently by identifying the right people, where the team is prioritized over individual talents."

Foster praised a "no jerks" policy at the club, which fosters a collective effort among players and staff toward a shared objective.

Chief executive Williamson stated that this policy originated in the locker room and was championed by manager Phil Parkinson.

Over the past year, Wrexham's staff numbers have increased by over 60, reaching approximately 105.

"I would estimate that most of the 60 or so new hires, I have personally interviewed at some point," Williamson stated.

"For me, it was crucial to bring in, particularly in senior leadership roles, individuals who understood what Wrexham is and what we are truly aiming to achieve here. We're not just any football club.

"There are candidates with impressive resumes and experience. You look at them and think, wow. You would assume they would be fantastic for Wrexham.

"Then you go through the interview process and realize they don't really grasp what Wrexham represents as a town, a community, and a club.

"That has required considerable effort. We are attempting to cultivate a culture within the club."

Wrexham will return to Wales on Sunday, after facing Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand on Saturday evening.

Parkinson confirmed that the club was close to signing New Zealand international left back Liberato Cacace - a former Wellington Phoenix youth player - from the Italian club Empoli.

Cacace's father, Antonio, runs an Italian restaurant in Wellington where Parkinson planned to stop by for a glass of wine before departing the city on Sunday.

Comment (0)
No data
Site map Links
Contact informationContact
Business:ANTSCORE LTD
Address:UNIT 1804 SOUTH BANK TOWER, 55 UPPER GROUND,LONDON ENGLAND SE1 9E
Number:+85259695367
E-mali:[email protected]
APP
Scan to DownloadAPP