**Ryan Reynolds Brought to Tears as Wrexham Secure Historic Promotion Amid Emotional Celebrations**
Wrexham AFC’s remarkable ascent through the English football pyramid reached new heights on Saturday, as they stormed to a 3-0 victory over Charlton Athletic, sealing their promotion to the Championship for the first time in over four decades. The Racecourse Ground quickly became a sea of red and white, bursting into chaotic celebration as it dawned on players, staff, and supporters that a long-awaited return to the second tier had been realised. At the heart of the party were co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, both visibly moved by the magnitude of the achievement and the passion it stirred throughout the club and its community.
The scenes after the final whistle were wild and jubilant, with supporters flooding onto the pitch to celebrate alongside Phil Parkinson’s triumphant squad. Wrexham, once languishing in the depths of non-league football, have now clinched their third promotion in as many years—a feat that many could scarcely imagine possible before the Hollywood duo’s ambitious takeover.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have become familiar faces in North Wales and were front and centre among the throng of fans, players, and staff on this historic day. Reynolds, clearly overwhelmed with emotion, watched the spectacle unfold from the directors box, while McElhenney soaked up the crowd’s adulation pitchside. Even Blake Lively, Reynolds’ wife, was seen celebrating the occasion, swept up in the electric atmosphere that gripped the stadium.
Speaking to Sky Sports as the celebrations raged on, Reynolds reflected on the club’s improbable journey. “Four years ago, this man (Rob McElhenney) told me, ‘Our goal is to make it to the Premier League,’ and there were plenty of doubters,” he admitted. “But today, moments like this make that dream feel real and within reach.” Reynolds’ comments encapsulated the growing belief around Wrexham, a club continually defying expectations since the Hollywood actors invested both money and heart into its fortunes.
Amidst the euphoria, it was star striker Paul Mullin who seized much of the attention in a post-match interview—though not entirely for the reasons one might expect. Though he has seen reduced game time this season, starting only nine games, Mullin’s connection to the club and its supporters remains as strong as ever. Addressing the cameras, he found himself swept up in the moment’s intensity, letting slip some choice language in his raw expression of joy.
“I signed here four seasons ago and Rob (McElhenney) told me the plan to get to the Championship in five years. We’ve done it a year early. The team has been unbelievable. It’s been some journey,” Mullin shared live on air. He added, “Look at these fans. These f****** deserve it. I’m sorry for the language but they deserve it. Fifteen, sixteen years out of the league—now in the Championship. It’s unbelievable. I’m so happy for everyone involved.” Mullin’s unfiltered words were met with laughter and cheers, perfectly capturing the wild relief and pride surging through the crowd—even if he quickly backtracked to offer a hurried apology for his expletives.
The journey to this point has been extraordinary for Wrexham. Years spent outside the Football League had been a weight on the club’s supporters, but successive promotions have increasingly justified both the faith and investment of the co-owners and the wider community. McElhenney himself was vindicated further as Mullin repeated the question he’d been asked upon signing—“Why Wrexham?”—replying, “Here you go; here’s your answer for the third time in a row.”
What is clear is that this is a club which has not only achieved sporting success but rekindled a unique identity through shared ambition and resilience. For Reynolds and McElhenney, who famously proclaimed their desire to reach the Premier League, each step has only drawn them—and their famously expansive fan base—closer together.
As the sun set over North Wales and the celebrations carried long into the night, the magnitude of Wrexham’s achievement was felt not only within the stadium but across the wider football world. The club stands as a testament to what passion, belief, and a little bit of Hollywood magic can accomplish.
With their place in the Championship now secure, eyes inevitably turn towards what could come next for this resurgent side. And with Reynolds fighting back tears and Mullin speaking straight from the heart, few would doubt that even grander days might be just around the corner for Wrexham AFC.