Wrexham's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have made a candid admission over the club's plans to sign more players this summer.
Fans will line the streets in North Wales on Tuesday night as the club parades the National League trophy, after ending a 14 year wait to return to the football league. But whilst the celebrations continue, the A-list pairing have already turned their focus to the 2023/24 campaign.
And further investment has already been promised. As well as putting provisions in place for a brand new training facility, the club is expected to bring in a host of new signings in a bid to challenge for a second successive promotion.
The American stars have already publicly courted Gareth Bale, cheekily trying to tempt the retired star out of retirement after he sent a congratulatory video message on Twitter. Unfortunately, the five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid wasn't prepared to reverse his decision in order to grace The Racecourse, but the attempt signified ambition if nothing else.
However, Reynolds and McElhenney have now insisted they will take a back seat in the transfer plans, and follow the orders of manager Phil Parkinson: "We defer to Phil," McElhenney told S4C, in an interview to be aired on. Tuesday. "We are actively talking about that right now. I know for a fact he feels as though we have a very strong side."
And the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star also said that with the notable exception of Ben Foster, the club would continue their policy of long-term thinking with signings, as opposed to panic buys: “No decision that we have made over the last two years hasn’t kept the future in mind, so we never make a short-term decision.
“Any player that we have signed, we have signed to at least a three-year deal, except for one. He is the guy we are going to work on, but other than that, I think we have a very strong side. If Phil says we need somebody else, then we will do our best to go out and get them.”
The Dragons finished their league campaign on Saturday with a 1-1 draw at Torquay. It meant a record breaking haul of 111 points, and afterwards, Reynolds immediately laid down the gauntlet to League Two rivals.
"And it's over," he tweeted. "@TUFC1899 showed massive heart today. Still nursing an emotional hangover from an unforgettable 111-point year for @Wrexham_AFC. Next season starts now. LFG."
