Premier League icon forced to apologise as Wrexham star makes Ryan Reynolds vow

Daily Mirror

27-05-2025

A former Aston Villa star has said sorry to Wrexham supporters during a live TV appearance after doubting their chances of gaining promotion from League One this season
A former Premier League star has been forced to apologise on live TV for doubting Wrexham 's chances of climbing out of League One. Ex- Aston Villa and West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker was asked for his views on Phil Parkinson 's side's hopes of achieving a historic third successive promotion at the start of the 2024-25 season.
The CBS Sports pundit said at the time that he did not think they would be able to go up again. Reo-Coker has now said sorry to the club's fans after Wrexham confirmed automatic promotion to the Championship in April by finishing second in the third-tier.
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The 41-year-old was prompted to apologise by Red Dragons striker Ollie Palmer as they appeared together during the American TV network's coverage of the League Two play-off final between AFC Wimbledon and Walsall.
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Reo-Coker said: "I didn't think Wrexham would get promoted again. I didn't think it would be a [case of] back-to-back-to-back. I apologise Wrexham fans. Yes, you proved me wrong."
While pundits may have had their doubts, Palmer revealed senior figures at Wrexham were quietly confident of their promotion prospects in League One before the campaign started. But their hopes were largely kept under wraps in public in order to manage expectation levels.
He said: "I think a lot of people didn't expect us to do it. I think we were tipped to be around mid-table. I get that, but that's the beauty of football. We achieved something really special, and it was a privilege to be a part of it.
"A lot's changed at the football club. The gaffer kept it in house and said that if we can keep doing what we're doing, he would accept nothing less than automatics. That was the demand he put on us, and we kept that quiet.
"But as it came to the end of the season, that was the only option. We did it, and we created history. It was an amazing moment."
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Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have restated their goal of taking the club all the way to the Premier League following their latest promotion. However, Reo-Coker said next season would be too soon for them to achieve their aim, describing the Championship as "different gravy" to League One.
Palmer refused to rule out the possibility of an incredible fourth successive promotion, though, after highlighting the benchmark set by Luton and Ipswich. Both teams have previously achieved back-to-back promotions from League One into the top flight.
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The 33-year-old also voiced certainty that Reynolds and McElhenney will spend the money required to make Wrexham competitive at the next level during the summer transfer window.
"I know doing four is ridiculous and I'm not saying that," said Palmer. "But if you look at Luton, did they do that? Didn't they go back-to-back? We've got backing where the club wants to go again.
"I'm not trying to put pressure on the lads and I should probably stop talking, but all I'm trying to say is, we could take inspiration from Luton and Ipswich.
"The gaffer and the owners are going to invest and improve the squad, there's no doubt about that. If you say that you're riding the wave then maybe [it could happen]."
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