Hollywood In Attendance As Wrexham Gets "Ted Lasso" Moment

BYBen Mock2.6K Views
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Wrexham v Boreham Wood - Vanarama National League
WREXHAM, WALES - APRIL 22: Elliot Lee of Wrexham scores his sides first goal during the Vanarama National League match between Wrexham and Boreham Wood at Racecourse Ground on April 22, 2023 in Wrexham, Wales. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Spoilers for "Ted Lasso" Seasons 1 and 2

Wrexham Football Club is a soccer team in the fifth tier of English soccer. They've been there since 2008, when they were relegated from League Two, the fourth tier of English soccer and its lowest professional tier. Over the last 14 seasons, their best finish was 2nd in 2012. However, you best know Wrexham because Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the club in 2020. They turned the small club on the England-Wales border into an international sensation

In a lot of ways, Wrexham is very similar to AFC Richmond, the fictional club at the heart of Apple TV's Ted Lasso. Both were struggling clubs that find a new lease on life after the intervention of a pragmatic American. Last season, Wrexham again finished second but lost in the promotion play-offs in a heartbreaking 5-4 game against Grimsby. Ahead of this season, Wrexham brought in a wave of new signings, including former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Wrexham Finally Secure Promotion

On April 22, 2008, a 2-0 defeat to Hereford officially relegated Wrexham from the Football League. 15 years later to the day, the atmosphere couldn't have been more different. Amongst the near-capacity crowd, Reynolds, McElhenney sat alongside Ant-Man star Paul Rudd. The trio watched Wrexham take to their home pitch for the final time this season to take on play-off hopefuls Boreham Wood. Earlier in the season, the two sides had played out a 1-1 draw

At the end of Ted Lasso's first season, we watch Richmond relegated in heart-breaking fashion. The show's second season ends with them jubilantly promoted. It's a fitting analogy for Wrexham in 2008 and 2023. Hollywood was there to witness a dominant 3-1 performance by the home side as Wrexham took the win and were officially crowned National League champions. However, that came after a heart-stopping moment as Boreham Wood slotted home a goal in the first minute of the game. As the crowd cheered, Reynolds embraced keeper Ben Foster. "Never in doubt!" Reynolds can barely be heard saying over the blaring music and roar of the crowd. Wrexham and their Hollywood owners believed, and now they are ready to make the Football League take note.

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About The Author
Benjamin Mock (they/them) is a sports and culture writer working out of Philadelphia. Previously writing for the likes of Fixture, Dexerto, Fragster, and Jaxon, Ben has dedicated themselves to engaging and accessible articles about sports, esports, and internet culture. With a love for the weirder stories, you never quite know what to expect from their work.