Humphrey Ker, executive director of Wrexham, disclosed that Rob McElhenney saw “Sunderland Till I Die” before deciding to purchase a football team.
‘Anti-football’ McElhenney
The documentary Sunderland Till I Die altered his viewpoint.
keeps a significant financial stake in the club’s operations
AHEAD OF TIME? With a record-breaking 111 points, the Welsh team won the 2022–23 National League title, capping their 15-year stint outside the Football League. Reynolds and McElhenney are still major backers of the team as they attempt to win League Two, and they stay in regular contact with the players and coaching staff, frequently stopping by the StoK Racecourse dressing room.
But according to Ker, McElhenney was “anti-football” at first, even before he and fellow Hollywood star Reynolds owned Wrexham. His attitude was drastically altered only after viewing the “Sunderland Till I Die” documentary on Disney Plus amidst the Covid-19 outbreak.
WHAT THEY SAID: Speaking on the BBC’s ‘Sacked in the Morning’ podcast, the Wrexham chief stated, “I think that just blew his mind because it showed the relationships we have in the UK with our football teams.”
“That really blew his mind, in my opinion, because it illustrated the bonds we have in the UK with our football teams. After watching it and being enthralled, he naturally suggested that we purchase a football team. Like when you watch The Great British Bake Off and decide that we ought to own a bakery? Basically, that’s what he did.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Ker went on to discuss how the presence of Reynolds and McElhenney has contributed to the growth of the Wrexham community, saying, “Every day, dozens and dozens of people travel from overseas to see the Racecourse. In December of last year, I spoke with Wayne Jones, the publican who manages The Turf, and he informed me that between 60 and 70 Americans visited the facility every day. Brazilians, Australians, and Americans are among the many nationalities that have visited us.”
Next what? In League Two, Wrexham will play again on Saturday against Notts County. A win might move them up to second place in the standings.
