Wrexham boss recalls first impression of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

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Phil Parkinson midway through his third season as Wrexham manager (Image: Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Phil Parkinson midway through his third season as Wrexham manager (Image: Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has revealed the first impressions he had of the club's owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Parkinson was named as the Welsh club's manager in the summer of 2021 and was tasked with getting the club promoted from the National League. It would take two years for Parkinson and his backroom staff to help Wrexham secure promotion to the EFL last season.

Reynolds and McElhenney completed a takeover of Wrexham, and just four months later the American duo was appointing Parkinson as manager. Now Parkinson, who has previously been in charge of Bolton Wanderers, Bradford City, and Sunderland, has explained how he immediately felt the support of Reynolds and McElhenney from their very first meeting.

READ MORE: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's Wrexham reign has left four rivals fuming

“I looked at it, spoke to the owners, weighed everything up and thought, ‘Wow, what a story that could be’," Parkinson said in an interview with FourFourTwo. "Being in football is about creating memories.

Ryan Reynolds mispronounces name of new Wrexham signing in hilarious video qhiqhhidrtiqtdinvRyan Reynolds mispronounces name of new Wrexham signing in hilarious video

"That initial chat I had with the owners was very good. We spoke about what I felt would be needed going forward and everything we discussed they backed up 100 percent.

"They are genuine people – they don’t say things unless they’re going to back it up, which is refreshing. They’ve been very supportive to me and the staff, and I think they’ve enjoyed it themselves.

"I’ve really enjoyed it, too. This club has been a very different journey for me, with so many dynamics at the club – getting to know Rob, Ryan, and our executive director Humphrey Ker, plus everything with the documentary.”

With Parkinson in charge, Wrexham achieved a record points total in the National League to win the title and finish above promotion rivals Notts County. Star players such as Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, and Elliot Lee, all signed by Parkinson, played key roles in helping the Welsh club climb out of the fifth tier for the first time in 15 years.

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Wrexham boss recalls first impression of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenneyRyan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney appointed Phil Parkinson as Wrexham manager in 2021 (Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

Since Reynolds and McElhenney completed their takeover, the Hollywood duo have helped Wrexham's stature in world football increase. The documentary, 'Welcome to Wrexham', recently finished airing its second season which documents the behind-the-scenes action around the club.

Wrexham are currently looking to secure what would be a back-to-back promotion up to League One. The Red Dragons recorded a 1-0 win away at Swindon Town on Boxing Day to move up to second place in the League Two table with 46 points from their first 23 games, and four points behind leaders Stockport County.

Next up for Wrexham is an away game against Walsall on Friday (December 29), which will be followed by a New Year's Day contest at home to promotion rivals Barrow. Wrexham will also be competing in the third round of the FA Cup against Shrewsbury on January 7.

Mark Wakefield

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