Wrexham, the oldest professional football club in Wales, secured a historic promotion to second-tier league play, the English Football League (EFL) Championship, on Saturday with a decisive win over Charlton Athletic.

Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who finalized their takeover of the club in 2021, celebrated the victory with excitement, heartfelt emotion and deep pride and passion for the team.

Why It Matters

Wrexham’s rise through the leagues positions owners Reynolds and McElhenney to potentially achieve their goal of reaching the Premier League, the top tier of English football, within five years. The team has not competed in its new second-tier league since 1982.

Many have credited the actors’ $2.5 million purchase of the club, along with the publicity from the docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, with helping boost the team’s rise through the leagues and widely expanding its fanbase.

What To Know

On Saturday, Wrexham beat Charlton 3-0, leading thousands of fans to storm the field in celebration of the team’s victory and therefore ascension to a higher league. The team has consistently been working its way through the ranks, garnering back-to-back promotions, having started in the National League, the fifth, when the actors first bought it. The team is now one tier away from the Premier League.

Reynolds told the Associated Press, “It just seemed like an impossible dream,” adding that he and McElhenney “said five years ago our goal was to make it to the Premier League. There were understandably a lot of laughs, but it feels like a thing that could make it to fruition right now.”

In a long Instagram caption, Reynolds wrote: “I feel at home here. It’s a place that values community, decency and history.” He credited the three recent promotions to the coaching staff, talent, and team at large.

Reynolds posted a video of himself and McElhenney celebrating after the game, embracing as fans stormed the field. Actress Blake Lively, Reynolds’ wife, shared a photo of the moment on her Instagram story, writing: “Back to Back to Back. History was made.”

Her story post continued by addressing Reynolds and McElhenney: “The love and respect that pours out of you each and together exponentially grows and creates more joy, more possibilities, more magic, more history. This picture feels to me like a painting of all you do for so many while being so present and appreciative of every moment.”

McElhenney reposted Reynolds’ and Lively’s stories, and expressed his excitement and disbelief on Instagram, posting a series of photos from the evening with the caption, “I have no words.”

The co-owners joined in the traditional Gatorade celebration, dousing club chief Michael Williamson with the bright orange sports drink.

Celebrations of the team’s success continued throughout the night. Early Sunday, McElhenney wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “I have a bit of a headache. Worth it.”

What People Are Saying

Wrexham striker Sam Smith told the Associated Press on Saturday: “The stadium and atmosphere is incredible, it’s a massive club and a big project, it will be a special week now.”

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said, per the AP: “The owners have come in and done an amazing job. I’m so pleased for them because they deserve it. They’re invested in all the decisions, but they trust us in in our decision making and that’s why we’ve had success over the last three years.”

He later said: “This is for those supporters who followed the team in those 15 years in the (non-league) National League in really, really tough times, but stood strong behind their club and they deserve tonight.”

Wrexham’s official X account wrote in two posts on Saturday: “BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK PROMOTIONS. History makers. The story of a lifetime” and in another post, “From the brink of extinction, to the second-tier of English football. You deserve this moment, Reds. Enjoy every minute of the celebrations”

What Happens Next?

The club will participate in the new league starting in August.