Welcome to Wrexham: How the Hit Series and Hollywood Owners Are Shaping Transfer Talks

The “Welcome to Wrexham” Effect on Transfers

When most footballers think about their next move, they usually consider the standard checklist — playing time, wages, league level, training facilities. But when you’re talking to Wrexham AFC in 2025, the discussion involves something a little different: starring in a globally streamed documentary alongside Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

That’s not a marketing gimmick. That’s part of the pitch — and according to manager Phil Parkinson, it’s a powerful one.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Wrexham are preparing for life in the Championship following their meteoric rise through the English football pyramid. Three straight promotions have brought the club from the National League into the second tier of English football — a feat no club has achieved in modern times.

Their secret weapon? Not just smart recruitment or tactical brilliance, but the extraordinary star power brought in by Reynolds and McElhenney and their documentary series, Welcome to Wrexham, now entering its fourth season.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Building a Championship-Ready Squad

With the Championship season on the horizon, Parkinson and his team are putting together a squad that doesn’t just survive but competes. Wrexham aren’t looking to make up the numbers — they want to win.

The club’s ownership has injected ambition and funding into every department, but the documentary continues to be one of the most persuasive tools when negotiating with transfer targets.

“It’s a kind of unique experience,” Parkinson told reporters this week. “And all the lads we’ve had here have just embraced that.”

WHAT PARKINSON SAID: A Transfer Pitch Like No Other

Ryan Reynolds Rob McElhenney Wrexham

Parkinson was refreshingly open when asked how the documentary and celebrity ownership come into play during player negotiations:

“Obviously, now most of the players you speak to are aware of the documentary and the profile of the club, but I discussed that with them because it’s an important part of the club, and the documentary has told a great story, really, which is very authentic.

“But I just say to the lads that, you know, what chance in your lifetime are you going to be in a documentary with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney? It’s a kind of unique experience.”

This kind of exposure is unheard of for most Championship players. Being part of Wrexham now means being seen by millions of fans globally — not just those in the stadium but through Disney+, Hulu, and international media.

HOLLYWOOD MEETS HARD WORK

Of course, it’s not just about the glitz and glamour. What has made Wrexham’s story compelling is that it’s built on more than a celebrity sideshow. There’s been gritty, honest football behind the scenes. Parkinson has struck a balance between ambition and grounded realism — the team is known as much for its tenacity and work ethic as it is for its famous owners.

“There’s no sugar-coating things,” Parkinson says. “We train hard, we play hard, and the expectations are high — whether the cameras are rolling or not.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Wrexham’s success hasn’t just attracted interest from within the UK. Players from across Europe — and even the U.S. — have reportedly inquired about opportunities at the club. And much of that has to do with the reach and resonance of Welcome to Wrexham.

One agent recently shared that a player from the German second division said playing for Wrexham would be “a dream” — not because of the league level, but because of what the club represents in the wider football and entertainment world.

SETTING SIGHTS ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Though the Championship season hasn’t kicked off yet, the goals have already been set high. Parkinson doesn’t shy away from the club’s ambitions:

“You’ve got to aim high… and why not?” he said. “We’ve totally got a great understanding that to get there and to sustain top-flight or even Championship football, we need to have a strong structure in place at the club, with the academy and everything.”

He’s realistic, but the belief is there — and it’s contagious. The culture at Wrexham is built around growth, not just financially or commercially, but in football terms.

THE BUSINESS OF FOOTBALL: DOCUMENTARY AS LEVERAGE

In an age where sports documentaries have become multi-million-dollar cultural products, Welcome to Wrexham is perhaps the most influential of them all. It humanizes the players, showcases the community, and gives fans a reason to care beyond the pitch.

That emotional connection is also appealing to players. It gives them a platform to show their personality, share their journey, and become part of a story much bigger than one season of football.

“Most players love that,” says Parkinson. “It’s a kind of platform you don’t get at most clubs.”

WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Phil Parkinson Wrexham 2024-25

The Red Dragons are currently on their pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand, building fitness, chemistry, and exposure. When they return, the real work begins.

Their 2025-26 Championship campaign kicks off with an away trip to Southampton on August 9 — a fixture that once felt unimaginable but now feels like just another step forward.

Behind the scenes, the club continues to scout for talent, tweak contracts, and build the infrastructure necessary for sustainable success.

FINAL THOUGHTS: More Than Just a Club

Welcome to Wrexham has given the club global fame, but it’s the substance behind the scenes — the people, the planning, and the perseverance — that make Wrexham a project worth believing in.

Transfers aren’t won with documentaries alone, but when combined with vision, ambition, and a bit of Hollywood magic, they certainly don’t hurt.

For the players signing on the dotted line, it’s not just about where they’ll be playing next season — it’s about becoming part of something extraordinary.

And for Phil Parkinson, that’s a message worth repeating.