Latest news with #StokCaeRas
Daily Mirror
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ryan Reynolds sets Wrexham's clear next target as 'impossible dream' continues
Wrexham have been promoted to the Championship after the Hollywood-owned club completed a third successive elevation under their megastar co-chairmen Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds' 'impossible dream' is to continue with the Premier League now in his sights. Lapping up a third consecutive promotion alongside the club's other Hollywood benefactor Rob McElhenney after a 3-0 win over Charlton which takes the North Wales side into the Championship he stated: ''Our goal is to make it to the Premier League. "On reaching the Championship he admitted: 'It just seemed like an impossible dream, but as storytellers, you look as much as you can at the macro view of history. 'Without it I would not be here. You can go all the way back from the Gresford Disaster to Mickey Thomas, who is a huge point of aspiration for this club. And the goal was to reach that feeling – and it is a feeling. 'Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, this coaching staff – we have the greatest dressing room in sports, in any category I have seen before. It's all for one. And then this community, I am speechless by their passion, emotion and transformation they have helped make. 'You can look at so many beating hearts at this club and it all starts with Phil. (Parkinson)." The Hollywood backed club have continued their amazing adventure – non-league to the Championship in three seasons. Some Tinseltown writers would believe this football script is too far fetched but it's real alright as co-owners Reynolds and Rob McElhenney hugged each other and all those in grabbing distance up in the posh seats of the Stok Cae Ras. Just two years ago the North Wales club who spent 15 seasons outside the EFL playing the likes of Boreham Wood can now anticipate the arrival of Ipswich Town, Leicester, Blackburn and other Championship luminaries. Amidst the glitz and glamour manager Parkinson has quietly manufactured a winning machine to satisfy the demands of the ambitious owners who come complete with cameras and hype with the Disney + documentary 'Welcome To Wrexham'. It's his sixth promotion with four separate clubs and the cameras captured his latest most compelling rise with Wrexham back at a level they last enjoyed 43 years ago. One of that team legend Mickey Thomas watched on. It was also his wonder free-kick in the FA Cup slaying of Arsenal which helped sell the club to their Hollywood duo. Reynolds had tried to get the party started hours before the game serving drinks at the now iconic 'Turf' pub – a must stop off for the increasing number of tourists from across the Atlantic engaged by the documentary. It was soon drinks all round as Parkinson's side rose to the occasion removing any nerves and tension with an inspirational two goal burst in three minutes. Charlton boss Nathan Jones had compared a trip to these parts as an outing to the circus. Well Wrexham's lightning start saw the home fans baiting the Welshman with a chant of 'You've Seen The Circus Now Go Home', although not as polite as that! It had been some double act from Ollie Rathbone and Sam Smith leaving Charlton wondering what had hit them. First from a James McClean short corner James played in Rathbone who let fly from just outside the area, his low shot fizzing past Will Mannion. Then Mannion was left grasping thin air as a lofted through ball from James saw Smith execute the perfect swivelled volley to make it 2-0 and leave the old ground shaking to its foundations. Charton who began the game knowing that a win would enhance their own ambitions of automatic promotion didn't allow the home side and their expectant fans an easy ride but dominant in possession they lacked a cutting edge, illustrated by Tennai Watson firing straight at Arthur Okonkwo. Then came the 80 th minute killer, Max Cleworth crossing for Smith to send a bullet header past Mannion.
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Rollercoaster' run-in continues in Charlton test
Ollie Rathbone hopes the Stok Cae Ras will play host to a blockbuster on Saturday as Wrexham and Charlton Athletic lock horns knowing both clubs remain in the race for automatic promotion from League returned to second place as they beat Blackpool 2-1 on Monday while Wycombe Wanderers were beaten 4-0 by the Addicks at Adams leaves Phil Parkinson's side two points clear of the Chairboys, and four ahead of Charlton, with just two regular season matches left to Rathbone believes the fact both sides still have everything to play for will ensure this weekend's meeting between Wrexham and Charlton will be a mouth-watering one."It's quite topsy turvy this whole thing, a bit of a rollercoaster," he said."We just need to stay calm, go into the game and do our best. We won't get carried away, we'll just play the game in front of us."I think some people will say, coming to the end of the season, it's easier playing teams that have less to play for. I don't find that to be the case. "When teams don't have any pressure on them, they can play more freely."I think it'll make for a much better game that Charlton are right in the mix as well."Wrexham will clinch an historic third successive promotion this weekend if they beat Charlton and Wycombe fail to win at Leyton Orient. "People forget how far the club has come in such a short space of time," added Rathbone."To be fighting at the top of the league for automatic promotion is brilliant."It would be a huge achievement for me personally, and for the club and the town."Rathbone scored his seventh league goal of the campaign last time out in Wrexham's triumph over represents the 28-year-old's best goal return in a season of his career."I'm really happy with that, especially when I didn't play for the first chunk of the season, so it's a pretty good return," he added.
BBC News
21-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Parkinson urges Wrexham to 'believe' before Blackpool test
Phil Parkinson says the race to secure automatic promotion from League One is "not over yet" as Wrexham bid to return to winning ways at Red Dragons dropped to third place after a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Bristol Rovers on Friday as Wycombe Wanderers won 2-0 at Bolton Parkinson has urged his players to "believe a bit more" before the trip to Bloomfield Road on Monday (15:00 BST) as Wrexham remain in pursuit of a top two spot."Of course, not winning today [against Bristol Rovers] adds importance on to that game," said the manager."We've done well on our travels recently, can we continue that?"I just want the lads to believe a bit more and I just felt we looked, not positive today. Our actions were just a little bit laboured and we need to free up a little bit. "It's not over yet. We're in contention and we've still got a great chance."Wrexham have largely impressed on the road of late, suffering just one defeat in nine away league matches since losing 2-1 at Shrewsbury Town in mid-January."Our away form at the end of January, we averaged just over a point per game and we've taken that to just over two points per game," added Parkinson."We needed to do that because we've had more away games than home games in the last few months of the season."We're obviously pleased with the return, but now we need to continue that at Blackpool."Wrexham currently trail second-placed Wycombe by one point with three games remaining. The Chairboys also boast a superior goal the trip to Blackpool, Wrexham host Charlton Athletic at the Stok Cae Ras on April 26 before rounding off the regular season at Lincoln City a week later.
