The incredible journey of Wrexham AFC added yet another magical chapter on April 26, 2025, as the club, famously owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, secured a stunning 3-0 victory over Charlton Athletic to earn promotion to the EFL Championship. From non-league obscurity to the brink of the Premier League dream in just three short years — Wrexham's rise feels like a real-life fairytale written for the big screen.
With the Racecourse Ground packed to the rafters and emotions running high, Wrexham came into the match knowing a victory, combined with Wycombe Wanderers’ earlier loss to Leyton Orient, would seal their fate. The players, urged on by a thunderous home crowd, wasted no time delivering.
The breakthrough came early, in the 15th minute, when midfield dynamo Oliver Rathbone latched onto a loose ball at the edge of the box and fired a low shot past the Charlton goalkeeper. The eruption from the stands felt like a collective sigh of relief — but Wrexham were far from done.
Just three minutes later, the Racecourse exploded again. A flowing move down the right saw James McClean whip a dangerous ball into the box, where striker Sam Smith met it with a superb volley into the roof of the net. 2-0, and Wrexham were flying.
Charlton, who needed points themselves to boost their survival hopes, tried to mount a response, but Wrexham's backline, marshaled expertly by veteran defender Ben Tozer, held firm. Every clearance, every tackle, was met with deafening cheers as the clock ticked toward destiny.
Smith put the final stamp on the match late in the second half, reacting first to a rebound and coolly slotting home his second goal of the afternoon. At 3-0, the party truly began. Players were hugging on the pitch, fans were singing in unison, and even the usually reserved Phil Parkinson, Wrexham's mastermind manager, allowed himself a wide grin on the touchline.
Meanwhile, co-owner Ryan Reynolds was in the thick of the celebrations. Having earlier spent time pulling pints in the fanzone and chatting with supporters, Reynolds was captured on video leading chants and singing along with the fans — living the dream he and McElhenney had envisioned when they bought the club back in 2021.
