22 April 2023 , 22:08
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Wrexham were crowned champions of the National League to spark wild scenes of celebration at the Racecourse Ground.
Paul Mullin - the team's star striker - scored twice as Wrexham clinched a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood. The result means the Red Dragons have returned to the Football League for the first time since 2008.
Wrexham were purchased by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in November 2020 and local fans have enjoyed something of a spotlight on the town thanks to the Hollywood duo's elevated status. In the win on Saturday night, actor Paul Rudd was seen celebrating alongside the co-owners, who shed tears at full time.
In the changing room, Mullin and his teammates were seen dancing arm-in-arm while singing and chanting. Ben Foster - who came out of retirement to return to the Welsh club and saved a last-minute penalty against Notts County - could be seen popping open a bottle of champagne and spraying it around the room.
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson was filmed chanting: "Champeones! Champeones! Ole Ole Ole!" along with his players as champagne was poured on his head. Players and staff embarked in wild celebrations with the crowd once the full time whistle went. Mullin was seen celebrating with the fans as they chanted his song after the striker added two goals to sit at 46 on the season.
Ryan Reynolds mispronounces name of new Wrexham signing in hilarious video
Mullin, who joined from Cambridge United ahead of the 2021/22 season, said: “We are ecstatic. To deal with the pressure we have had, I am so proud of the lads. We had to deal with a lot and people think with the biggest budget you'll win it easy and it's not like that.”
Ben Foster showered his team-mates with champagne as Phil Parkinson chanted with his playersActing trio Reynolds, McElhenney, and Rudd - who were seen drinking in local pubs with fans before the clash - joined in the celebrations on the pitch and in the stands. Fans rushed onto the pitch armed with red flares at the final whistle amid jubilant celebrations before the wet trophy presentation faced a delay with those fans who made it onto the pitch escorted away.
Reynolds and McElhenney .have become symbols of Welsh football around the world with the publicity their platforms have bought to the club and area. The airing of the Disney+ documentary titled ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ was a hit in the United States, where the club will embark on a preseason tour this summer to face Chelsea and Manchester United.
Ben Foster - who signed on a short-term contract last month - was filmed singing along with a fan song about him
Wrexham boss Parkinson is showered in beer (Twitter@Wrexham_AFC)The documentary has attracted mainstream attention with celebrities joining millions around the world in following the Welsh club. Wrexham will now compete in League 2 next season - and the players are set to enjoy a special reward.
The jubilant celebrations came as Wrexham have sealed their return to the EFL after a 15-year absence. Since relegation - sealed on 22 April 2008 - the Welsh club have suffered disappointment in the play-offs on five occasions while it almost went out of business.