Rival clubs have not always been huge fans of Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
Hollywood duo Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have been heading things up at the Racecourse Ground since February 2021.
The new Wrexham owners took charge of the club from their Supporters Trust with promises of helping the town and taking the Red Dragons back into the EFL.
Their first few months did not get too well, with the Welsh outfit missing out on a play-off place in the National League.
But after Dean Keates was sacked as Wrexham manager at the end of 2020/21 and Phil Parkinson was appointed, the club has been transformed.
Wrexham ended a 15-year stint in the National League in 2023 and are now plying their trade in League One for the first time since the competition was rebranded in the early 2000s.
But while McElhenney and Reynolds are no doubt adored by the Wrexham faithful, rival clubs have not always been as fond.
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Leyton Orient manager on Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney
Back in August, Bolton Wanderer’s manager aimed a dig at Wrexham owners Reynolds and McElhenney, hinting they are spending a lot of money.
However, claims that Wrexham just buy their success are largely irrelevant now, especially as Birmingham City smashed the League One transfer record to spend £20m on one player over the summer.
And while some rival clubs are still not likely to be fans of the American duo, Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens has now praised the pair for the work they have done with Wrexham, as per Leader Live.
He said: “It’s a club that is on the up for a number of years now, and a club that is used to winning.
“I know there is a lot of jealousy around Wrexham from other club’s supporters and things like that but I think it is brilliant for what they have done.
“I was about 37 and coming to the end of my career, I think I was at Macclesfield who played away at Wrexham and the place was dead.
“It needed some life injecting into it and the new owners have come in and injected that life.
“From the games I have watched on television, especially the home games, the atmosphere is brilliant.
“Even though a lot of clubs are jealous of the money that they spend, also look at the interest that we can get from it.
“I think it is really good what they have brought to the league, and they have done it the right way.
“I have seen the documentary and they look like really good people so congratulations to them.”
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Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney facing new reality at Wrexham
For the most part, Reynolds and McElhenney have enjoyed nothing but success since they bought the Welsh outfit.
Wrexham did lose the play-offs during the pair’s first full season at the helm but for the most part, their rise up the EFL ladder has been plain sailing.
However, now the club are in League One, they will need to get used to the fact they can no longer breeze every division they play in.
Wrexham do have a quality squad but sides like Birmingham and Huddersfield Town have spent several years building Championship-level teams and have been able to spend a lot more money.
Promotion could still be on the cards this term, but Reynolds and McElhenney may have to get used to their side not enjoying as much instant success going forward.