No Hollywood ending as Wrexham’s Premier League dream collapses on final day

Wrexham’s dream of winning promotion to the Premier League is over after a 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough on the final day of the Championship season saw them drop out of the playoffs.

The Red Dragons, famously owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, had their destiny in their own hands on Saturday, starting the final matchday in sixth place, the fourth and final playoff spot.

Wrexham let playoff place slip away

After falling behind inside four minutes against Middlesbrough, Wrexham responded impressively, taking a 2-1 lead just before halftime. At that point, a playoff place was within touching distance if they could see the game out.

However, they conceded an immediate equalizer, and there was no further scoring in the second half. That opened the door for Hull City to leapfrog them in the standings thanks to a 2-1 home win over Norwich City.

Championship playoff picture confirmed

At the end of a grueling 46-game Championship season, Coventry City and Ipswich Town have earned automatic promotion to the Premier League. Millwall, Southampton, Middlesbrough, and Hull will contest the playoffs.

Millwall will face Hull in the first two-legged semifinal, while Southampton take on Middlesbrough in the other. The winners will meet in the final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 23, with a place in the Premier League at stake.

Wrexham’s remarkable rise, and what comes next

Wrexham had been chasing a fourth successive promotion, having started in the National League, the fifth tier of English soccer, when Reynolds and McElhenney took over in November 2020.

The Welsh club’s Premier League dream is over, for now. But given the success they have had under their famous owners, expect them to be back for more next season.

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