Ever since the arrival of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as Wrexham AFC’s new owners, the Welsh Club has enjoyed plenty of publicity – and some success on the pitch to go with it.

Wrexham made history as they secured back-to-back promotions to earn a place in League One for the 2024/25 season, and now know how their season could go following the release of their fixtures in June.

Of course, Wrexham did exist prior to their Hollywood takeover, and indeed have a proud history, from making waves in the Football League and Europe, to FA Cup giant-killings, to surging up the English pyramid today.

But how did they go from the obscurity of the fifth tier to the verge of becoming EFL heavyweights? And is promotion a realistic possibility by the end of the season? Football FanCast provides you with the latest Wrexham fixtures, results and updates here.

Wrexham owners

Actors Reynolds and McElhenney completed their takeover of Wrexham in February 2021. They replaced the Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST) as owners of the Club, pledging £2m of their own money to assume control of the Red Dragons.

It would turn out to be a watershed moment for Wrexham, as along with off-pitch fame and fortune has come plenty of success on the field. At the time of writing, their footballing achievements since the arrival of the Hollywood duo include their astonishing 111-point haul in the National League to secure promotion, while there has also been play-off and cup final heartache along the way.

They have now secured back-to-back promotions, with the Red Dragons set for the third tier come 2024/25.

Welcome to Wrexham documentary

Having been taken over by acting royalty, the next natural step for Wrexham would be a documentary – something everyone seems to be doing these days.

The first season of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ explored the Club‘s journey under Reynolds and McElhenney upon their arrival in Wales, as well as the story of the previous ownership and their 2021/22 campaign, which ended in an FA Trophy final defeat at Wembley and a captivating play-off semi-final tie against Grimsby Town, with the Mariners coming out on top as they went on to seal promotion.

The second instalment, which was released in September, chronicled the Club‘s 2022/23 season, where Wrexham broke records and won fans all over the world – particularly across the Atlantic.

The series also looked into the progress of their women’s team – something Ryan & Rob vowed to invest in – as well as looking back at the Club‘s giant-killing pedigree in the FA Cup, with Wrexham valiantly bowing out in the fourth round proper last term having begun their journey in the qualifying rounds.

The third season was released in May, and is set to chronicle the Club‘s most recent season as they returned to the EFL. It is due to conclude later this year, while a fourth season has already been commissioned.

Stadium expansion latest

Reynolds and McElhenney recently stated their desire to expand Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground by increasing the capacity to up to 55,000 – over four times what it can currently hold.

Such plans, if they come to fruition, will make the home of Wrexham one of the largest stadiums in the UK, and by the time any development is completed, it could yet become one of the biggest in the Premier League should the Club‘s trajectory continue in its current manner.

Back in April, McElhenney told entertainment outlet Collider: “We have a plan in place right now that would eventually work from stand to stand, so eventually you get all four sides. It’s hard to say for sure, but we think we could get between 45 and 55,000 people in there.”

An AI program recently imagined what an expanded Racecourse Ground could look like, offering Wrexham supporters a potential glimpse into the future, which can be seen in the link below:

Wrexham in 2023/24

Following their record-breaking campaign that saw them win the National League, Wrexham capped off a fine first season back in the Football League by finishing second on the final day. The Red Dragons’ final-day victory over Stockport saw them end the campaign four points off the top.

After a slow start where they won just one of their opening five games, results began to pick up over the autumn, and Wrexham were into the promotion spots by October.

They picked up their promotion push after a blip following the new year and secured promotion with two games to spare, managing to stay ahead of their rivals throughout the last few months without running away with it.

Stockport would march towards the League Two title, meaning Wrexham were left to battle it out with Mansfield Town for second, with both clubs assured of promotion. Mansfield had the advantage of goal difference, but dropped points against Barrow to drop to third.

In the FA Cup, the Red Dragons also repeated last season’s feat of reaching the fourth round, seeing off Mansfield, Yeovil Town and League One’s Shrewsbury Town before coming unstuck against Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers.

Elsewhere, their EFL Cup campaign was over in the second round, with Wrexham heading out on penalties to league rivals Bradford City. There was similarly no luck in the EFL Trophy, where despite winning all of their group-stage games, Wrexham were knocked out in the last 32 by Burton Albion.

How League One works

League One consists of 24 teams, with each Club playing 46 times across the league campaign – the same number as in League Two. However, there are some notable differences when it comes to promotion and relegation.

There are only two automatic promotion slots, with teams finishing between 3rd and 6th qualifying for the play-offs. Down the bottom, there are four relegation spots, meaning anyone finishing 21st or below will be demoted to League Two.

Last season, sixth-placed Barnsley earned 76 points to qualify for the play-offs, while Portsmouth and Derby County – who were promoted automatically to the Championship – both accrued over 90 points during the 2023/24 season.

At the other end, Burton Albion survived with 46 points, just two more than relegated Cheltenham Town.

A third successive promotion is rare, and has not been done at this level of English Football. And while there is plenty of Football to be played between now and this time next year, it could be argued that the initial signs are in Wrexham’s favour.

If the betting markets were anything to go by, Wrexham could be set for yet another promotion bid. Indeed, as of September 2024, Wrexham have remained among the favourites to escape League One throughout the summer, and are currently priced at 3/1. Clearly, the expectation is for the Red Dragons to be nearer the top of the table come next May rather than in the thick of a relegation fight.

Their start has been mightily impressive, though there is a long road ahead. But given their unbeaten league run, there is also plenty of cause for optimism.

Season 2024/25 key dates

There are a few key dates for the diary from the outset ahead of Wrexham’s first League One game in two decades, with the EFL releasing the season’s fixtures last month. The FA Cup will return in November as Wrexham enter in the first round proper, while the summer transfer window will shut in five weeks’ time, while there may be one eye on potential dates for a promotion party in early May next year…

Wrexham fixtures, results and standings

Wrexham suffered their first league defeat of the campaign after Birmingham City came from behind to win 3-1 at St Andrew’s on Monday night. The fixture was naturally billed as the face-off between Tom Brady and Reynolds & McElhenney, as the American heavyweights from the NFL and Hollywood went head-to-head for the first time.

The defeat means Wrexham remain at the top of the table, but having played a game more than the Blues, who moved behind Phil Parkinson’s side on goal difference.

Nevertheless, the Red Dragons are still in a fine position at this early stage of the season, and there are plenty of signs that they could be capable of going the distance as they seek a third straight promotion.

The defeat to Birmingham marked Wrexham’s first in the league since April, and ended a run of four straight victories in all competitions. With the Blues arguably one of the toughest opponents they will face this season, this should not deter the side ahead of their upcoming clash against Crawley Town this coming weekend in front of their home fans.

Crawley, of course, are far more familiar opposition to Wrexham, having beaten them twice on their way to League Two promotion last term. The Red Devils came up themselves through the play-offs, and are holding their own in League One so far, sitting 13th heading into this weekend’s clash at the Racecourse Ground.

Back-to-back away trips then await, firstly to east London to take on Leyton Orient before a clash with Stevenage, who flirted with promotion last season.

Wrexham transfers 2024/25

Wrexham strengthened their squad over the summer, as Phil Parkinson brought in five new players. Arrivals included a return for goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who joined permanently having been on loan from Arsenal last term.

Meanwhile, they broke their transfer record twice – firstly, when midfielder Ollie Rathbone came in from Rotherham United, which was believed to be for more than the £300k fee paid for Ollie Palmer two years ago.

Wrexham later sealed the arrival of Mo Faal from West Brom for around £500,000 – Faal made his debut in the 2-1 FL Trophy win over Salford City earlier this month.

There were a number of departures too, including veterans Ben Tozer and Luke Young. Meanwhile, the likes of Callum McFadzean and Jordan Tunnicliffe were released.