Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have kept all five promises they made after buying Wrexham

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney made a number of "hard promises" when they walked through the doors at Wrexham, so we've decided to look back and see if they've worked out or not.

Back in February 2021, the Hollywood actors completed their highly-anticipated takeover of Wrexham, with the pair pledging a reported £2 million investment into the then-National League team.

In the coming days, they decided to release a mission statement on the club's official website which detailed their goals, principles and promises for the coming years.

"We’re two people who’ve made a career of never taking ourselves too seriously. However, we realise taking stewardship of this great and storied club is an incredibly serious matter and something we don’t take lightly," they said.

"Our goal is to grow the team, establish Wrexham AFC as a Premier League club, in front of increased attendances at an improved stadium while making a positive difference to the wider community in Wrexham."

Here's a breakdown of what was said and the results that followed.

First promise: A pledge to win

Reynolds and McElhenney wanted to reward the Wrexham supporters that have stood by the club through its history by "putting everything we have towards what all fans want most for their club, and that is to... win, win, win."

And win they have. After achieving promotion to League Two following a record-breaking campaign in the National League, Phil Parkinson's side earned back-to-back promotions this season.

Their promotion-winning campaign ended with a 2-1 victory over champions Stockport County. A sign of things to come?

Second promise: Team values

"We understand and respect the intense loyalty and love for this club and how it’s woven into the fabric of the town and its supporters."

Reynolds and McElhenney expressed their desire to reinforce the values, traditions and legacy of the Wrexham community when they arrived at the Racecourse Ground.

As well as injecting a huge amount of cash into the club since making that statement, the Hollywood actors have followed up their words with actions, bringing in some of the Football League's biggest names, including star striker Paul Mullin.

The pair have thrown themselves into life at Wrexham, engaging with the community and even learning the Welsh language. They're also building a picturesque Memorial Park named after Reynolds in the local area.

Third promise: Turning the team into a globally-renowned force

In the statement, Reynolds and McElhenney said they "don’t see why" the National League club couldn't have a global appeal.

And it didn't take long for their much-talked arrival to cast eyeballs on the third-oldest professional club in the country. In fact, Reynolds' hit series about Wrexham on Disney Plus has raked in almost £4 million.

Fourth promise: Renovate The Racecourse Ground

Reynolds and McElhenney vowed to "explore the renovation of the Racecourse and improve the venue for the club, for international matches and "perhaps, the occasional Tom Jones gig."

It was announced last year that a new 5,500-seater stand at the stadium had secured financial backing from Wrexham council.

According to the BBC, the council board will reallocate a 'substantial amount' of a £25 million Welsh government grant to the plan.

Fifth promise: Training facilities

Reynolds and McElhenney wanted to invest in a "permanent training facility that is worthy of an EFL club" after they walked through the door.

Back in February last year, Wrexham announced the completion of a new performance gym at the Racecourse Ground as they continue to work to enhance the off-field facilities at our stadium.

The new performance facility features elite performance equipment, and required a specialist floor installation which consisted of artificial turf and shock absorption flooring allowing the facility to be used for rehabilitation alongside strength and conditioning sessions.

In addition to the above, Reynolds and McElhenney made a host of "hard promises" with the ultimate goal of growing the team and returning to the Football League in front of increased attendances at an improved stadium.

They also promised to make a "positive difference to the wider community in Wrexham" – something they have certainly achieved in such a short space of time.

Here are the 'hard promises' in full:

• Provide comprehensive financial support for the manager and his coaching team. Build a sustainable model which will attract the best players and best staff to the Racecourse Ground.
• Always beat Chester.*
• Explore the renovation of the Racecourse Ground and improve the venue for the club, for International matches and perhaps, the occasional Tom Jones gig.
• Invest in a permanent training facility that is worthy of an EFL club.
• Guarantee the club cannot be relocated, renamed or rebranded. Appropriate and respectful observance of the Gresford Colliery Disaster will remain sacrosanct.
• Recognising the role fans and the WST have played in stewarding the club through extremely difficult times, we will create an honorary board that includes fans, representatives of the WST and WAFC alongside our own advisors.
• Ensure the continued presence of Dixie McNeil as the club's honorary President, subject to his desire.
• Always beat Chester.*
• Expand club staff to take advantage of increased interest in Wrexham, both locally and internationally.
• Recognise and reinforce Wrexham AFC's role as a leading force for community good in the town. Work with the Club’s Disability Liaison Officer, Kerry Evans to retain and enhance Wrexham’s reputation as an inclusive and forward-thinking club, alongside other important local groups such as the Wrexham AFC Community Trust, food banks and schools.
• Commit to a more ecologically-sustainable version of the club and stadium.
• Commit to transparent decision making with regular and open communication.
• Ensure that when the day comes that we leave the Club, it will be in a better position than it is today.
• ALWAYS BEAT CHESTER.*
• *If we ever play Chester again.

And here are the four 'guiding principles' they wanted to chase back when they took over.

1. To protect the heritage that has made Wrexham AFC and the Racecourse Ground such a special place to watch football for the last 156 years.
2. To reinforce the values, traditions and legacy of this community. We understand and respect the intense loyalty and love for this club and how it’s woven into the fabric of the town and its supporters.
3. To use our resources to grow the exposure of the club. Of course, this would be in concert with protecting the heart and spirit of a community-led historical icon. But why can't the third-oldest club in the world have a global appeal?
4. To reward the faith of the supporters who have stood by Wrexham AFC through its history by putting everything we have towards what all fans want most for their club, and that is to...WIN, WIN, WIN.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: Wrexham, League One, Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney

Jack Kenmare

Senior Journalist at SPORTbible with a passion for long-form journalism. Almost 10 years’ experience across online and print.

@jackkenmare_