Wrexham chalk up first win on US Tour

Wrexham AFC, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are currently on a pre-season summer tour of the United States which will see them play a total of four matches in 10 days.

The tour opener saw the newly promoted League Two side humbled 5-0 by Premier League outfit Chelsea in North Carolina. The Red Dragons duly bounced back to beat Los Angeles Galaxy II 4-0 in Carson as fans sporting red Wrexham shirts outnumbered those backing MLS reserve team Galaxy II in the second of the club’s four-match ‘USA Invasion’ tour.

Marvelling at the scene from the sidelines was Wayne Jones, owner of The Turf pub and a breakout star of “Welcome to Wrexham,” which chronicles Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s takeover of the club since November 2020.

“We’ve had an incredible welcome and we’re absolutely stoked to be here. It’s such a brilliant city and massive compared to what we’re used to,” Jones told reporters at halftime.

He said the Welsh team, who in April got their Hollywood ending when they were promoted to the English Football League after a 15-year absence, were “light years” away from where they had been three years ago.

“Every day Wrexham fans wake up and pinch themselves because we’ve had a real rough ride in the past two or three decades, so to be where we are now is incredible,” he said.

Fans sipped on Wrexham-themed drinks at a replica of The Turf pub on a warm Southern California night and, despite being swamped at every turn by photo-seeking fans, Jones balked at the suggestion that he was now famous.

“I don’t see myself as a celebrity, I just work at a bar. I see myself as a humble, down to earth, working class guy,” he said.

“We’re on the rides of our lives at the moment but ultimately what we care about is the community and the football club and if both of them are thriving, which both appear to be, we will embrace it.”

Next up...Man United

Their third match of the tour will again see them play Premier League opposition in the shape of the Red Devils. Back in March, legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson joined Reynolds and McElhenney on a spoof video call to promote the friendly, which will take place at the 35,000-capacity Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California on Tuesday 25 July.

Wrexham wrap up their tour with a visit to Chester, Pennsylvania for a match against Bethlehem Steel (the second team of MLS side Philadelphia Union) on Saturday.

Season two of “Welcome to Wrexham” is set to begin streaming globally in early September.