Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney complete Wrexham Association Football Club takeover
The takeover of Wrexham Football club by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney is officially complete.
Wrexham AFC have announced that the RR McReynolds Company LLC has taken 100% control of Wrexham AFC Limited from the Wrexham Supporters Trust.
The new owners, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, have made a £2 million equity investment into the club under the terms of the deal.
The new owners say funds “will be immediately channelled into new initiatives at the Racecourse Community Foundation, including £50,000 to enhance the women’s football programme and increase participation at all levels. Alongside this, first-team player identification will be a priority, so the club is in the best possible position for the summer transfer window”.
There are no small bottles, Wrob. Only small owners…. with small bottles.
p.s. We have the same lawyer. https://t.co/2KzLWRZFO3— Wryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) February 9, 2021
In a joint statement, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds said:
“It is a special day for the two of us to become the latest stewards in the long and storied history of Wrexham AFC. Together with the players, the staff, the fans, and the local community, we can now pursue our goal to grow the team and return it to the EFL in front of increased attendances, and in an improved stadium, while making a positive difference to the wider community in Wrexham.
“Wrexham AFC is only in a position to thrive because of the incredible efforts of the Wrexham Supporters Trust. Their members are a fitting reflection of the integrity and spirit of the town and they will always have an important role at the club.
“Since the Wrexham Supporters Trust put their faith in us, at the members vote in November, we’ve been getting to know people in Wrexham to understand how we can help move the club forward through our four guiding principles:
- to protect the heritage of Wrexham AFC;
- to reinforce the values of the community;
- to use our resources to grow the exposure of the club at home and abroad;
- and to create a winning culture
They added, “The work has already begun with Gemma Owen and Steve Dale in the community team on a new women’s football initiative. We are also committed to investing in current and identifying future members of the first-team squad as we build towards a promotion-challenge.
“In addition, we are in the process of developing an outstanding team off-the-field by combining the know-how of the committed club staff and volunteers with new hires and experienced advisors. Our CEO search is progressing, and we expect to have someone in place before the end of the season.
“All of these people will help us create the kind of commercial opportunities that the third-oldest club in the world deserves, and we will reinvest that revenue back into Wrexham AFC and the community.
“2020 was a difficult year and there are likely to be further public health challenges in the months ahead, but we hope to be cheering the team on from the stands as soon as it’s safe to do so in 2021.”
The full statement from former club owners the WST is below:
The Wrexham Supporters Trust Board is pleased to announce the completion of the sale of Wrexham AFC to RR McReynolds LLC.
We would like to thank all our members for their participation in the voting process and patience regarding the deal. Also, to our advisors on the deal, namely BDO, Kevin Jacquiss, Mackenzie Jones, Rob Parry and Sheridans.
The Wrexham Supporters Trust Board would also like to thank both Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds and their advisors, Inner Circle Sports and Walker Morris, for the time they have put into this process.
We would like to place on record our gratitude for their professional approach at all times, and for their engagement with Wrexham Supporters Trust, Wrexham supporters and the broader local community.
Wrexham Supporters Trust now enters a new chapter, with thought required on the direction we take. We urge all supporters to unite behind our new owners, the Club and the team as they look to return Wrexham to the heights we have all dreamed of.
Reflecting on the last nine years, the Board is proud of aspects of what the Wrexham Supporters Trust has been able to achieve since taking control of the Club in November 2011.
We are proud to have improved the financial position of the Club, with members’ contributions crucial to that. In particular the ‘Build the Budget’ and ‘UTST’ campaigns, which together raised over £180,000.
We extend this gratitude to the numerous sponsors and Supporters Groups who have provided valuable financial support throughout our time in charge. Especially all those who sold tickets for our Christmas raffle, which helped generate an annual profit of around £10,000.
Our average attendance has grown to 5,100, and we are thrilled to have secured the long-term protection of our iconic Racecourse Ground, as well as making significant progress towards the development of a new Kop.
We are also pleased with our community status and engagement, including becoming the first autism-friendly Club in Wales and recently winning a Football v Homophobia award for our LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Despite these successes, we are disappointed at failing to deliver in our ultimate aim- to return the Club to the Football League.
There have been significant challenges during the Wrexham Supporters Trust’s ownership of Wrexham AFC, and we have always strived to do everything possible to support the Club we are all so passionate about.
We would like to say an enormous thank you to all those involved during the last nine years. The players and staff – past and present – including those who work long hours behind the scenes. Our volunteers, who give up so much of their time for the Club they love.
Finally, thank you to our supporters, to whom we are grateful to each and every one of. On countless occasions you have gone above and beyond for our Club, and without you it would simply not be in the position it finds itself in today.
We wish Rob, Ryan and everyone else involved in Wrexham AFC the very best of luck going forward and are excited for the future of both the Club and the town.
This evening the pair changed their social media names on Twitter to include a ‘W’ :
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) February 9, 2021
Companies House also updated with a filing logged for today:
“Statement of capital following an allotment of shares on 9 February 2021 GBP 1,247,484” https://t.co/RzoazRUhNX
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) February 9, 2021
This is a breaking news story – more shortly.
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