Wrexham’s rise has captured hearts all over the world, all while inspiring other clubs to attempt the same journey through the leagues.
Wrexham have just completed a remarkable summer transfer window, racking up 13 signings to bolster Phil Parkinson’s squad.
More than £30million was committed to new signings, as Wrexham remarkably outspent Barcelona.
Three straight promotions have catapulted Wrexham into the Championship, giving hope to other clubs stuck in the lower leagues.
Wrexham were in the National League for more than a decade, and while not every club can have Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds walk in with new plans, the journey is providing serious inspiration.
Bradford City chief on Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham ‘desire’
Carlisle United boss Mark Hughes wants to emulate Wrexham, having recently suffered back-to-back relegations.
Ruabon-born Hughes is a boyhood Wrexham fan, and seeing his hometown club go on such an incredible journey has certainly given him hope of a similar journey.
Bradford City recently sealed promotion to League One, and have enjoyed a superb start to life back in the second tier.
The Bantams have taken 14 points from seven games, meaning Graham Alexander sits fifth in the League One table.
It may be too early to dream of promotion to the Championship, but Wrexham’s rise means many clubs are taking the idea that ‘anything is possible’.
Bradford chief Ryan Sparks has previously hailed Wrexham and has now offered more praise for Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds.
Speaking to the Daily Mail (08/09, page 58), Sparks praised Wrexham and Birmingham for a ‘sheer desire’ to grow, and he wants to do the same at Bradford.
Sparks added that Wrexham’s STōK Cae Ras doesn’t really match up to Valley Parade in terms of attendance, but the Red Dragons ‘push the envelope’ by utilising the pulling power of Mac and Reynolds to drive success.
“I read a whole document recently about how we need to control costs, but nowhere did we talk about how we’re going to grow revenue and increase things,” said Sparks.
“I think you have to give real credit to clubs like Wrexham and Birmingham for their sheer desire to grow a club.
“Wrexham don’t have 24,000 seats like we do. So they work on what they do have. OK, they’ve got Ryan Reynolds, they’ve got Rob McElhenney, and they work on that. But they do other things.
“They push the envelope, and we are a club who people can talk about in that way. Our vision is to keep moving as fast as we can. You can control costs, but you can also control your revenue,” he added.
Wrexham inspiration will be on show throughout the EFL
Wrexham’s rise is like nothing we have ever seen, and it’s only natural to see other clubs take real inspiration.
Bradford are not alone, with Exeter City looking to explore American exposure off the back of Wrexham’s rise.
Celebrity ownership is becoming more and more common, and we saw Snoop Dogg invest in Swansea City this summer.
The success of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ means clubs are also looking into documentary series, with Reading’s story potentially set for screens in the near future.
Mac and Reynolds have changed the football landscape, and while rival fans may love to hate Wrexham, other clubs throughout the EFL are looking for ways to emulate this incredible journey