Wrexham: Ryan Reynolds’ club set up promotion sequel.
Hollywood has always loved a good sequel.
And, true to form, the club owned by red carpet stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are close to wrapping up promotion: part two.
Having jumped from the National League last season, Wrexham could seal a place in League One this weekend.
Victory over bottom side Forest Green – if results elsewhere work out – would earn the first back-to-back promotions in the club’s 159-year history.
“It would be very nice. There’s not many clubs who’ve achieved that,” said assistant manager Steve Parkin after Tuesday’s confident 4-1 win over play-off chasing Crawley.
It is an impressive feat, but not totally uncommon.
Since the start of direct promotion from non-league, some 10 sides have managed to achieve the jump from fifth to third tier in the space of two years, Tranmere Rovers the last to do so five years ago.
Of course, none had the profile of Wrexham, who are now forever followed by camera crews and celebrities et al.
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It is uncertain whether either Reynolds or McElhenney will be jetting in this weekend.
After all, Phil Parkinson’s side need both Barrow and MK Dons to drop points in order to return to the third tier for the first time in two decades this week.
That is why Parkinson’s number two Parkin and the players were doing their best on Tuesday to contain excitement.
“It’s difficult to ban people talking about it or not mention it,” said Parkin. “But in the dressing room, they know how hard it was last year, they know what it takes to get promoted.”
‘Hard to block out noise’
Tuesday night’s starting team contained seven of the side that kicked off the box-office title-winning victory over Notts County last term, including wing-back Ryan Barnett.
“Sometimes it’s hard to block out the noise with what people are saying, how many points you need and all that,” Barnett admitted having scored the opener against Crawley.
“But we’re a group that’s extremely experienced in high-pressure games and high-pressure moments.
“We block all that out and focus on how many points we can get as a team and no matter what everyone else is doing.
“It can be tough with a lot going on around the club but you can only focus on what’s going on out on the pitch – and we know if we win our games we get promoted.”
