Welcome To Wrexham is a brand new eight-episode docuseries, streaming on Disney+, which follows the Hollywood pairing of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ acquisition of Wrexham AFC – the oldest football club in Wales, and the third oldest professional football club in the world.
The series invites football and non-football fans alike to experience the journey of two seemingly oblivious American owners taking the enormous leap of trying to get this ‘sleeping giant’ of a club out of the English National League – the lowest professional league in the football pyramid, where they have resided for the past 13 years – and back into the Football League.
The first two episodes currently available to stream begin with Rob and Ryan’s personal stories of how Wrexham came into their lives, sharing personal stories from their childhood that emphasise their family and working-class roots, a huge factor in the north Wales town. One scene takes us to McElhenney’s small rundown childhood home in Philadelphia; when asked, “why Wrexham?” he replies, “I am one of those people.”
Of course, given the nature of the Hollywood A-listers, the series is full of humour and laughs, whether that is Rob’s honesty about needing “movie star money … superhero movie star money” to acquire the club or the unbearably funny situation of watching an American explain the relegation system.
From the start, it’s clear this is a docuseries aimed at American audiences, and avid viewers of football-based predecessors like All Or Nothing, Sunderland ‘Til I Die, and Take Us Home: Leeds United may roll their eyes from time to time. Personally, I found the slang explanation breaks a little annoying and unwanted, but American viewers may need ‘nil’ explaining, and conversely, I appreciated the inclusion of Welsh terms. Nonetheless, the series isn’t afraid to show the harsh realities of the beautiful game: fan frustration, expectation, loss and dismissals. Viewers new to football may find this an eye-opening experience.
it’s important to stress that, given the star quality and notoriety both McElhenney and Reynolds have to offer, they are certainly not the stars of this docuseries. Its greatest strength, which will keep viewers hooked, lies within Wrexham’s staff and supporters. Like Sunderland ‘Til I Die, you’ll find yourself emotionally attached to the individuals who have supported and stuck by this team for most of their lives. Club director Spencer Harris and Wayne Jones, landlord of Wrexham’s stadium-adjacent pub the Turf Hotel, are shining examples of this.
I went into Welcome To Wrexham with trepidation: a diehard football fan preparing to watch two American movie stars with little knowledge or care for the game, using a football club as their five-minute wonder. The first two episodes demolished this. The passion both have for Wrexham – the team and the city – is apparent, and the people involved in the grassroots of the club will attract you back for more. McElhenney and Reynolds’ journey through their first full season should make for entertaining and emotional viewing.
Streaming now on Disney+. Info: here
words MATTHÄUS BRIDGE
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