Wrexham’s rise in recent years has been simply staggering and it’s largely down to the impact of both Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
Wrexham fans could barely have even dreamed of reaching League One just a few years ago.
The club was stuck in the National League and then become the ‘Hollywood’ club with McElhenney and Reynolds taking over.
The journey has been simply ridiculous in recent years, summed up by Wrexham sealing a second straight promotion over the weekend.
From the celebrities we see at the STōK Cae Ras to the unbelievable sponsorships and then to the outstanding ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series, the way in which Wrexham have become worldwide news is just ridiculous.
McElhenney and Reynolds have been the driving force but there are so many people behind the scenes making a real difference, including Humphrey Ker and Shaun Harvey.
Wrexham now have fans from all over the world but especially in the US, which may just spark more celebrities into attempting to recreate what McElhenney and Reynolds have done elsewhere.
Leyton Orient chief on Wrexham
US interest in the EFL is growing and growing with more and more American businessmen wanting to get involved.
Nigel Travis is in an interesting position as he hails from England but has reached heights in the States.
Travis – now the chairman and co-owner of Leyton Orient – has lived quite the life in America.
Previously on the board at Papa John’s and Blockbuster, Travis is now chairman of Abercrombie & Fitch.
Travis has now spoken to The Athletic and talked up the influence of the TV show Ted Lasso, helping generate interest in football from Americans.
Travis added that he is regularly asked about Wrexham and quizzed on how far beyind Orient are; Travis takes delight in telling them that Orient are actually ahead of Wrexham.
“I’m shocked at how many people talk to me here (in the U.S.) about going to Leyton Orient,” said Travis. “The pivotal move was Ted Lasso. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been asked on the golf course here: ‘What do you do?’. When I tell them I own a football team, they say, ‘Have you seen Ted Lasso?’.
“Then the more informed ones will say, ‘I really like that Welcome to Wrexham. How far behind them are you?’. I tell them, ‘We’re actually a year ahead!’. A lot of kids over here want to see English Football League games instead of Premier League games. The opportunity to maximise the EFL is staggering. All the media money is in the States,” he added.
Wrexham history v Orient
Wrexham’s promotion means that there will be two meetings with Orient in League One next season.
Orient haven’t faced Wrexham since 2006 and there have only been three games between the two sides since the turn of the millennium.
The results in those games have been mixed; Wrexham drew the October 2002 meeting at the STōK Cae Ras 0-0 before winning 1-0 down in London in April 2023.
Wrexham’s next visit to Orient was a 1-1 draw in September 2005, before losing 2-1 at home to Orient just months later in January 2006.
Games between the two sides have been rare in recent times but Travis will seemingly relish the the chance to go up against Wrexham – and he would no doubt love to see his club beat McElhenney and Reynolds too.