Salford City and Manchester United legend Gary Neville gave a surprising response when asked about Wrexham’s success under Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac and how they compare.
Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have taken the English footballing world by storm since they took over the club four years ago.
Before Reynolds and Mac’s arrival, the Red Dragons were lingering in the National League, showing no promise or signs of returning to the EFL – a sad situation for one of the oldest football clubs in the world.
It was a challenging introduction to football for Reynolds and Mac, whose Wrexham side missed out on promotion in their debut season, but they have since notched three successive promotions, taking them to the Championship.
Their successes have eclipsed every EFL club in recent years, including Salford City under owner Gary Neville, who was asked about comparisons between himself and Reynolds.
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What Gary Neville said about Wrexham and Salford City comparisons
Unlike Wrexham, Salford City have struggled to improve after they made it to the EFL – they are set to kick off in their sixth successive League Two season.
Salford City found themselves in the League Two play-offs in the 2022/23 season, where they finished 7th, but they are yet to improve on that effort, with League One football appearing far away at this moment.
Nonetheless, Salford owner Gary Neville has a plan to achieve success with the club based just over 50 miles away from Wrexham, although he has played down comparisons with the Welsh club.
“No, I don’t wish I was any other football club, I don’t work or operate like that,” he said to FourFourTwo when asked if he compares his situation with Salford to Wrexham. “With new owners, we’ve got a plan whereby in four to five years, I’d like to think Salford would be more successful on the pitch. That’s the hope.
“We will also have invested in our training ground and stadium, and be in a position whereby we can achieve sustainability.
“That’s the real drive of this ownership, to grow revenues, be successful on the pitch, become sustainable and ensure we still meet those values of being affordable and accessible that we had from day one. There’s a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it in, but we’re committed and that’s the most important thing.”
What separates Wrexham’s success with Salford City
Whilst the takeovers of both Wrexham and Salford City have seen a star-studded ownership board take over, the story of the Red Dragons has been far more captivating, but that does not come down to the success on the pitch.
Gary Neville has looked to birth a new footballing powerhouse in the EFL, whilst Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac are resurrecting one.
The history surrounding Wrexham Football Club is what provides the foundations for a brilliant story. A club that was starved of success is finally getting what it deserves. That is what also makes Reynolds and Mac’s job much easier, unlike Neville, who has had to build from the bottom.