The Origin of the Idea
It all started with a Netflix documentary series called Sunderland ‘Til I Die.
Sunderland ‘Til I Die is a documentary that focuses on the ups and downs of Sunderland AFC, a football club in England. The series spans two seasons (2018 and 2019) and shows one of the toughest times in the club’s history. It captures their struggles in the EFL Championship (England’s second-tier league) and their fight to return to the top league.
This documentary caught McElhenney‘s attention, especially the promotion and relegation system, which is uncommon in American sports. Inspired by this, he had the idea to buy a football club and create a documentary.
Where Did the Money Come From?
Once McElhenney decided to buy Wrexham, the next question was: where would the money come from?
Buying a Premier League club is incredibly expensive. In 2023, Manchester United was valued at over £4 billion in a takeover deal. In 2022, Chelsea was sold to American investors for £2.4 billion. Even Newcastle United cost £305 million when it was purchased by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
At the time, McElhenney didn’t have that kind of money. So, he gave up on buying a Premier League giant and turned his focus to smaller clubs in need of new energy. Among the six clubs he considered, including Hartlepool and Macclesfield, he chose Wrexham. Why?
First, Wrexham is the third-oldest professional football club in the world and has a large, loyal fan base. This meant they could generate steady income through ticket sales and merchandise. Second, there are no big professional football clubs near Wrexham. This gave the club a unique market position, allowing McElhenney to maximize its reach and brand value.
In short, McElhenney saw Wrexham’s untapped potential and decided it was the perfect club to buy.
A Perfect Match with Reynolds
McElhenney and Reynolds didn’t know each other at first.
But McElhenney found out that they both loved the same show, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. That’s how they became friends. Later, McElhenney shared his idea about Wrexham with Reynolds. At first, McElhenney just wanted Reynolds to sponsor the club. However, after hearing the idea, Reynolds boldly said, “I want to buy them with you.”
The two quickly agreed. In the winter of 2020, they became the owners of Wrexham and the club’s saviors.
Changing Wrexham’s Future
McElhenney and Reynolds had big ambitions. They wanted to change the future of a struggling football club through their investment. And they succeeded.
Their approach was smart. They used their skills as actors and storytellers to create a documentary called Welcome to Wrexham. The documentary was a big hit. Soon, Wrexham gained TikTok as a sponsor, and the club’s income grew almost ten times.
Next, they brought in top players like Paul Mullin, the EFL League Two Player of the Year, and Ollie Palmer from AFC Wimbledon, his hometown club. These signings changed Wrexham’s results on the pitch completely.
Now, after 15 years, Wrexham is finally back in the Football League, a long-awaited achievement for the club.
Do you want know Wrexham’s road to pormotion? Check here.
