Former Wrexham striker and current Chorley manager Andy Preece wants his side to follow the success that Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have created in Wales.
Wrexham didn’t know it at the time, but when Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds assumed control of the club in February 2021, their fortunes would be transformed forever.
The two Hollywood superstars instantly highlighted their ambition to turn the Red Dragons into a global force and three years later, they are well on their way to achieving that.
From increasing the exposure of the club by landing huge brand deals to skyrocketing ticket sales and success on the pitch, Wrexham are living the dream and other clubs now want to use their story as inspiration.
Non-league side Chorley, who currently ply their trade in the sixth tier of English football, are looking to follow in their footsteps by having their very own global superstars on board.
Members of Boyzone along with ex-Westlife member Brian McFadden are interested in purchasing shares in Chorley.
It’s a move that the club are hoping will send them on an upward trajectory, just like it did at Wrexham when Rob and Ryan completed their takeover.
Current Chorley manager Andy Preece is behind the plans of popstars Boyzone to become shareholders and the “face of the club”.
The former Wrexham striker has also revealed his admiration for the job that superstars Rob and Ryan have done at the Racecourse Ground.
Andy Preece is inspired by Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds
Speaking to The Leader, Preece said: “I’ve watched the Wrexham documentary and I think it’s brilliant. How can you not like those guys?
“People will always have a go at people – especially in football – but you can’t say anything negative about Wrexham’s owners.
“There’s obviously going to be jealousy but there are now a lot more people following what’s going on at Wrexham.”
He also added that he wants Chorley to embark on the same journey that Wrexham did while using the two Hollywood superstars as inspiration.
“I know it’s early days here but you’d like to think we can go on the same journey. You couldn’t ask for a better template than Wrexham’s.
“You see the Wrexham thing and you go, ‘Oh wow, what would that be like?’ But I didn’t really think it was going to happen here.
“It’s exciting, I’m buzzing about it, everybody’s buzzing about it and we’ll just see where it takes us.”
The Wrexham template is powerful
After watching Wrexham’s transformation, non-league clubs want to use their model as inspiration which is only a positive.
Not only have more people paid attention to clubs further down the pyramid but it’s also opened further investment opportunities for teams who are struggling.
This wouldn’t have been possible if Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds hadn’t begun that domino effect.
Indeed, after watching them achieve so much success, other well-known celebrities are jumping on the bandwagon and while Chorley are the next club to follow that inspiration, they won’t be the last.