Wrexham AFC has reacquired the freehold interest in its ground the Racecourse.
In a deal, the value of which has not been disclosed, the National Conference football club has taken back ownership of the stadium from Glyndwr University.
Under ambitious plans the football club, co-owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is looking to build a new stand for 5,000 spectators, which will allow it to host international matches.
The stadium upgrade is part of the wider Wrexham Gateway initiative, which includes plans for a hotel and convention centre, which Wrexham Council is seeking financing backing for from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
North Wales law firm Gamlins Law, represented by commercial property solicitor Ben Whiting, acted for Glyndwr University on the deal.
It marks the end of the university’s ownership of the stadium which began back in 2011, when the club was in danger of going out of existence.
For the first five years, the university took on responsibility for the running, maintenance, and upkeep of the ground, before a 99-year lease was agreed with the Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST) in 2016. The WST then took on responsibility for the stadium operation.
Last year the club’s supporters voted in support of the club purchasing the freehold of the stadium.
In a statement Wrexham AFC, “This is a great day for both the club and ourselves, and one that we targeted from the first day of our ownership.”
Glyndwr University executive director of finance, David Elcock, said: “It was a great honour for us to have been custodians of the oldest international football stadium in the world.
“More than 10 years on it is time for us to hand the stadium back to the club under its new ownership so they can take forward the exciting developments and improvements they have planned. From my earliest conversation with Ryan and Rob it was something they were keen to do, and we were happy to help.”
Mr Whiting said: “We are delighted to have played a role in enabling the university to transfer the freehold of the famous Racecourse Ground to the football club. It will be exciting to watch the future for both the university and the football club.”
Gamlins Law has its HQ in Rhyl with further offices in Mold, Ruthin, Denbigh, Abergele and Holywell.
