Wrexham saw Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds take over in 2021 and the story since has been one of continuous improvement.
Wrexham had been stuck in the National League for more than a decade before Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds swooped in to purchase the club.
A sleeping giant throughout those years, Wrexham fans had been through so many dark times, hoping for light at the end of the tunnel.
Fast forward to 2025 and Wrexham are now gearing up for Championship football under Phil Parkinson.
The last four years have been – forgive the obvious here – like something out of a Hollywood film.
Three straight promotions leave Wrexham just one more step away from the Premier League, which was beyond even the wildest dreams of many supporters five years ago.
Bradford City chief on Wrexham rise
Wrexham’s rise has not only impacted the club but also the local area, with Wrexham as a whole receiving an enormous boost.
Not everybody has been entirely on board, especially with Wrexham spending significant money on this journey.
Bradford City CEO Ryan Sparks has now commented on Wrexham and Birmingham City’s spending power whilst speaking to the Business of Sport podcast.
Sparks admitted that he is a ‘huge fan’ of what Wrexham and Birmingham have done in recent times, believing they are growing the EFL enormously.
American interest in the EFL has never been so high and Sparks noted that Bradford are not ‘insecure’ about the situation.
Sparks accepts that Wrexham and Birmingham’s spending has driven the price up of other players on the market, but feels they have largely had a positive impact.
“I’m a huge fan of what Wrexham and Birmingham have done for the growth of the game,” said Sparks.
“We’re not an insecure club, there’s no envy culture for us. We’re like ‘they’re making the EFL bigger’, but of course it has an effect on the market.
“When you see a centre forward go to a club like that for millions and pay them tens of thousands a week – allegedly – then that’s definitely going to drive the price up of other players,” he added.
Wrexham journey isn’t just about money
We have seen all of the criticism over the years, with jabs at Wrexham’s spending power.
United States legend Landon Donovan has played down Wrexham’s rise, suggesting that it has all been down to money.
We would counter that; it’s one thing to spend money, it’s another to knit everything together and build the strong culture Parkinson has created at Wrexham.
Manchester United are a perfect example.
The Red Devils have thrown good money after bad at their problems but are actually finding themselves sinking lower and lower.
Money does not guarantee success and Parkinson deserves enormous praise for how he has built such a strong culture and for the characters he has brought in.
Wrexham have got it right on and off the pitch and long may it continue – even if it may annoy a few rival fans along the way.