Wrexham’s pre-season preparations continue to take shape with Ryan Reynolds now set for a rather emotional meeting this summer.
Wrexham have booked a spot in League One next season having secured promotion from League Two.
Back-to-back promotions is quite the achievement for Wrexham but the attention hasn’t fully shifted to the summer just yet.
Phil Parkinson’s men face one last game before the end of the season, taking on fellow promoted side Stockport County as the two sides say goodbye to League Two.
Wrexham would love to finish the season with another victory with fans no doubt ready for one more party at the STōK Cae Ras before the summer arrives.
Then it’s all about the summer; the new series of Welcome to Wrexham, the transfer window, a party in Las Vegas and seemingly a few exciting friendlies as Wrexham ramp up preparations for League One.
Vancouver Whitecaps hint confirmed
Wrexham have confirmed a friendly against Chelsea, taking on the Premier League giants at Levi’s Stadium, the home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.
The ‘Wrex Coast Tour’ now has another addition after hints on Thursday.
MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps posted on social media at 4am UK time, showing a graphic reading ‘Welcome to Vancouver’.
The only things noted in their message were a dragon emoji, the ‘soon’ emoji and the maple leaf emoji, synonymous with Canada.
That hinted at a potential friendly taking place this summer and the news has now been confirmed.
The Whitecaps have announced that Wrexham will be visiting their BC Place home on Saturday, July 27th.
The game will kick off at 4:30pm local time, which is 12:30pm UK time.
Ryan Reynolds reacts
This is an emotional fixture for Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds.
Reynolds hails from Vancouver and this game allows him to return home, watching his hometown club take on Wrexham.
Reynolds has offered his reaction, telling The Province that he wanted to take Wrexham to Vancouver after Rob McElhenney took the side to his hometown of Philadelphia last summer.
Whilst Reynolds has love for Vancouver, he added that he will be ‘screaming’ for a Paul Mullin hat-trick, making his Wrexham loyalty absolutely clear.
“Last year Rob got to bring Wrexham to Philly. This year it’s my turn,” said Reynolds. “I am so excited my hometown club, the Whitecaps, will get to square off against the Red Dragons. My official stance on the match will be a very friendly ‘neutral’ even if I will be screaming for a Paul Mullin hat trick.”
Wrexham pre-season schedule takes shape
The Vancouver friendly isn’t the only pre-season game confirmed today.
Premier League side Bournemouth have also announced that they will be facing Wrexham in Santa Barbara on July 20th.
The game will take place at Harder Stadium, which is on the University of California, Santa Barbara campus.
Bournemouth have their own celebrity figurehead with Michael B. Jordan serving as co-owner of the Cherries.
There will be plenty of eyes on that meeting with Wrexham as the ‘Wrex Coast Tour’ now has three confirmed fixtures.
Saturday, July 20th: Bournemouth
Wednesday, July 24th: Chelsea
Saturday, July 27th: Vancouver Whitecaps