Wrexham owners slam ‘unfair rule’ after promotion to League One, it’s very restrictive

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have overseen the complete transformation of Wrexham which has seen the Welsh side land successive promotions.

After the Hollywood stars completed their takeover of the club in early 2021, the funding they injected into Stok Cae Ras allowed the Dragons to move from the National League to Ligue 1 in just two seasons.

After clinching the National League title to secure a return to the EFL after a 15-year absence, Phil Parkinson’s side spent just one season in League Two after securing automatic promotion to the League 1.

The Dragons finished the season second behind Stockport County and ahead of Mansfield Town in the top three.

Wrexham beat new champions the Hatters on the final day of the League Two season, coming from behind to secure a 2-1 victory and end the campaign on a high.

At Wrexham, all focus is now on strengthening the squad ahead of the 2024/25 League One campaign, and it will be interesting to see who the Dragons end up signing as they move back up to the third tier of English football .

With two high-profile owners in the form of Reynolds and McElhenney, it’s fair to say that the Welsh club’s spending power has increased and helped them to be where they are today.

But there is one area of ​​the club where the Hollywood owners have been unable to inject additional funds – and that is because of the rules.

Speaking on the third episode of the Welcome to Wrexham Disney+ documentary, McElhenney spoke about the club’s women’s team recently promoted to the highest level of Welsh women’s football, the Adnan Premier.

Players were not paid before their promotion and still have to work multiple jobs although they can now receive a salary.

But McElenney expressed frustration with rules which mean there are limits to how much he and Reynolds can pay the club’s women’s team.

He said: “We asked last year when they were in the amateur stats could we pay them, the answer was no by rule, and in this league there are limits to what you are authorized to pay them.

“Just another one of the really funny British regulations in football that stops you from doing the things you want to do.”

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Wrexham, Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds