Wrexhama are competing in League One for the first time ever, and Ben Foster thinks the Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds-owned club have one advantage over their rivals.
The business end of the 20024/25 campaign is now upon us, and Wrexham have nine more cup finals to play as they battle to make club history.
The Red Dragons have won back-to-back promotions and are in contention to make it a third in the current season.
After losing to Reading on Tuesday, Phil Parkinson’s side remain behind Wycombe Wanderers on goal difference but have now played one game more than the second-place outfit.
However, a win over Wycombe on Saturday would put the Red Dragons firmly back in the mix for automatic promotion.
Even if they don’t go up this year, however, one advantage they have, thanks to Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, surely means promotion from the third tier will happen in the coming seasons.
Ben Foster explains advantage Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have given Wrexham
Wrexham have broken their transfer record several times since McElhenney and Reynolds took over in 2021.
But while spending money is obviously important, convincing top stars to drop down divisions has also proven key.
Paul Mullin turned down a chance to play in League One to join the then-National League side in 2021.
Meanwhile, despite playing in the Premier League less than a year previously, Ben Foster also lined out in the fifth division for Wrexham.
Now, speaking on the Breaking Beard podcast this week, Foster explained the ‘allure’ Rob and Ryan have brought to the club that allows them to sign top stars ahead of other sides.
He said: “I think Wrexham can sign players off the back of this so much easier and so many, better, talented players than what other teams could.
“Wrexham are able to sign Championship quality players in League Two, in League One. They can sign them players because of the allure of what sort of Wrexham offers them really. It’s incredible what they’ve done with it.”
Biggest Wrexham transfers under Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds
As already mentioned, getting Mullin and Foster to drop down to the National League were major coups and, in reality, probably would not have happened without their current owners.
Former Premier League ace James McClean was another huge addition, with Humphrey Ker shocked when the defender wanted to sign for Wrexham.
More recently, Jay Rodriguez left a Burnley side on the verge of promotion back to the Premier League in order to link up with the Welsh outfit in January 2025.
Sam Smith also joined in a record move earlier this year, and it’ll be exciting to see what top star Reynolds and McElhenney convince to move next.