Wrexham once again found themselves in the global spotlight as Hollywood glamour and football pressure combined in Los Angeles for the launch of the latest series of their widely followed documentary. Club co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were front and centre at the red-carpet event, reflecting how far the North Wales club has come since their takeover.
The documentary has helped transform Wrexham into a worldwide football story, but the ending of this latest chapter is still unwritten. On the pitch, everything now hinges on a crucial final-day fixture against Middlesbrough. A victory would guarantee a place in the Championship play-offs, keeping their dream of another promotion alive. However, anything less could leave their fate dependent on other results.
For former Wrexham midfielder Paul Rutherford, this uncertainty is all too familiar. His time at the club ended in heartbreak during a dramatic final day of the season five years ago, a moment that still stays with him. On that day, Wrexham failed to secure the result they needed, and despite their efforts, rival teams overtook them to claim the final play-off position by just a single point.
Rutherford recalls the emotional aftermath vividly. After receiving a straight red card for a mistimed challenge, he sat alone in the dressing room, overwhelmed by frustration and disappointment. The cameras captured the raw moment as emotions shifted from anger to despair. Wrexham had drawn 1-1, and their promotion hopes disappeared, keeping them outside the English Football League for another year—ironically at a time when global attention on the club was growing.
That moment had wider consequences beyond just the result. Manager Dean Keates was dismissed the following day, and Rutherford himself, along with several teammates, was released shortly after. It marked the end of an era for a squad that had come agonisingly close to success multiple times.
Looking back, Rutherford reflects on the emotional weight of that period. He admits he felt like he had let people down, especially after the red card incident. At the same time, he now sees it with a degree of perspective, understanding that such moments are part of football’s unpredictability.
Rutherford spent nearly five years at Wrexham, making close to 200 appearances after joining from Southport in 2016. His final match for the club turned out to be that dramatic final-day fixture in 2021. Around the same time, he was in a very personal situation—waiting in hospital for the birth of his third child when he learned he would not be offered a new contract.
At that time, rumours were already circulating about a possible Hollywood takeover of the club. Early speculation even linked major film stars to the purchase, with some jokingly suggesting figures like Russell Crowe might be involved. Eventually, the takeover by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney became reality, changing the trajectory of the club entirely.
Inside the dressing room, players were eventually informed of the new ownership plans. While there was excitement about what investment could bring, there was also uncertainty about their own futures. Rutherford explains that although outsiders assumed the squad expected to be replaced, the reality was more complex. The players were motivated by the possibility of success and wanted to be part of the club’s rise.
However, as new ownership brought increased investment and ambition, the squad inevitably evolved. Higher budgets allowed Wrexham to bring in stronger players, pushing some long-serving members out of the picture. Rutherford accepts this as a natural part of football, acknowledging that he understood the club needed to progress.
After leaving Wrexham, Rutherford continued playing in the Welsh football system before transitioning into a life away from professional sport. Today, he balances coaching responsibilities with family life, including driving his children to training sessions and working in a hardware store showroom. Despite stepping away from full-time football, he remains closely connected to the game.
His personal journey contrasts sharply with Wrexham’s rapid rise under their new ownership. Since the takeover, the club has experienced back-to-back promotions and significant investment, including a reported £30 million spending spree to strengthen the squad. The team, now managed by Phil Parkinson, is aiming for yet another promotion, this time targeting the Premier League.
Rutherford acknowledges how extraordinary the transformation has been. He admits that while Wrexham always had potential, he never imagined the speed at which they would climb the football pyramid. What once seemed like a long-term project has become a near-unstoppable rise through the divisions.
Despite the changes, Rutherford believes the club has maintained its identity. He describes Wrexham as still being deeply connected to its community roots, with long-standing staff and volunteers continuing to play an important role behind the scenes. Even as the club grows into a global brand, he insists that its core spirit remains intact.
He has occasionally returned to the club and witnessed firsthand how much attention Wrexham now receives, especially from international fans. On one occasion, he even joined a travelling Wrexham side in the United States, where he experienced the growing global fascination with the club. The scale of support, he admits, is difficult to fully comprehend without seeing it in person.
Reflecting on the club’s journey, Rutherford once predicted that Wrexham could eventually reach the Premier League, although he expected it to take more than a decade. He now admits that their progress has been even faster than he imagined, describing it as something that feels almost like a story from a football simulation game.
As Wrexham approach another decisive final day, Rutherford’s experience serves as a reminder of football’s unpredictability. While the club now stands on the edge of historic success, he knows from personal experience how quickly dreams can change.
Regardless of what happens next, he remains proud of his contribution to Wrexham’s story. Even though his time ended in disappointment, he values the role he played during a crucial chapter in the club’s transformation.
He hopes supporters will remember that journey, especially if the current squad falls short of promotion. In his view, the club’s progress is part of a much bigger picture, and even setbacks would only represent a brief pause in an otherwise remarkable rise.
For Rutherford, Wrexham’s story is still being written. And whether or not this season ends in celebration, he believes the club is firmly on a path toward even greater heights.
