da bet7： Rob McElhenney reflects on what owning Wrexham and investing in the town and community, beyond just the football club, means to him.

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What Wrexham means to Rob McElhenneyWelsh club under a global spotlightHollywood owners invest in the communityWHAT HAPPENED?

In an interview with The Athletic, McElhenney discussed the reciprocated feelings of warmth towards Wrexham and its community, with the global interest in the club since he became joint owner with Ryan Reynolds having a transformational impact on and off the pitch.

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Since McElhenney began the Wrexham takeover with his fellow actor in late 2020, the pair have been determined to be more than just distant foreign owners. Instead, they have pledged to help boost the town as a whole, with McElhenney initially inspired to purchase the club in the first place because he saw similiarities between the rundown area and the Philadephia neighbourhood in which he grew up. Together, the pair have also donated money to a couple of local causes – like £3,500 to save a ransacked local business.

WHAT McELHENNEY SAID

McElhenney said: "We have felt so welcomed into this community. From very early on, if not day one, the people of Wrexham were willing to see what we were all about. Curious, with open hearts. Throughout that entire process, we've felt nothing but the support of the community. And we just like to return that in any way we can.

"To watch people all over the world, but specifically people in the United States, find themselves in this small town in north Wales was really profound. The fact they then – which we were hoping they would do – transferred their interest and love for the people of Wrexham into love and interest for the football team has been one of the great joys and experiences of my life."

WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

The short-term goal for Wrexham is back-to-back promotions to get out of League Two and into League One – they are currently only outside the three automatic promotion places on goal difference. But the longer-term plan is clear too, with McElhenney aiming for the Premier League by 2033.