After 15 long years, Wrexham AFC is going back to the Football League.
The Welsh soccer club – which has seen its fanbase in the U.S. grow quite a bit since it was purchased by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2020 and became the subject of the FX docuseries “Welcome to Wrexham” – secured a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood on Saturday. That made Wrexham the champions of the National League (the fifth tier of English soccer) and earned the club promotion to the fourth-tier English Football League for the next season.
Paul Mullin bagged two goals in the victory, which threw fans of the club into a frenzy. Some, like bar patrons in McElhenney’s hometown of Philadelphia, cheered. Others, like McElhenney – the creator of the hit show It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia – were moved to tears.
Rob McElhenney was in tears watching Wrexham secure promotion and win their first league title in 45 years 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/SPrwvKggEm
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 22, 2023
Here’s how other Wrexham fans celebrated…
The supporters – rightfully so – stormed the pitch.
Wrexham fans storming the pitch after securing promotion 🥳
(via @MarkOgden_)pic.twitter.com/3tBYjWoaBs
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 22, 2023
ABSOLUTE SCENES IN WREXHAM AS THEY ARE PROMOTED TO LEAGUE TWO. ❤️
THEIR FIRST TIME IN THE FOURTH TIER SINCE 2008. 🥹
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 22, 2023
A packed bar in Philadelphia loved to see it.
Final whistle in Philly as @Wrexham_AFC earn promotion. Everyone in this bar claims to know @RMcElhenney. pic.twitter.com/aTDzIwoqID
— Pablo Iglesias Maurer (@MLSist) April 22, 2023
And Paul Rudd was there?
Turns out, Ant-Man likes the Kansas City Chiefs and Wrexham.
🚨 PAUL RUDD AT WREXHAM 🚨 pic.twitter.com/i6DEsZSGxn
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 22, 2023
Hollywood star Paul Rudd is in attendance at Wrexham today 🤩
“Who would’ve thought? Not me!” pic.twitter.com/psdt3kT2UN
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) April 22, 2023
Wait – Let’s see those goals from Mullin.
Mullin broke the tie score in the 52nd minute when he beat his defender, sprinted into the left side of the box and put the ball into the top bin of the goal. The keeper didn’t have a chance at saving this one.
Is there no end to his talent?
🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) April 22, 2023
Then, in the 71st minute, Mullin broke away for a one-on-one opportunity and once again beat his defender and the keeper to pad the lead for Wrexham. Mullin scored 38 league goals this season.
HE CERTAINLY IS!
🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) April 22, 2023
Mullin scored 38 league goals this season. And Reynolds and McElhenney loved every one of them.
"Why Wrexham? This is exactly why Wrexham!"
"Paul Mullin is one of the greatest football players in the world!"@VancityReynolds and @RMcElhenney react to @Wrexham_AFC's return to the Football League 🥳 pic.twitter.com/buptb00lOX
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 22, 2023
