Hollywood stars and fans celebrate historic promotion

Wrexham’s Hollywood star co-owners celebrated alongside lifelong fans as the team sealed a historic promotion.

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, along with Reynolds’ wife Blake Lively, supported Wrexham as they confirmed their third successive promotion, sealing a place in the Championship.

Fans ran out onto the pitch after the Dragons beat Charlton Athletic 3-0.

Speaking after the match, captain James McClean said the success was “one big group effort”.

“It doesn’t just come from the dress room. It comes from the management, the owners, the fans and our families and the staff behind the scenes,” he said.

The hosts scored twice in quick succession in the first half, with Ollie Rathbone’s strike putting Wrexham ahead at the Stok Cae Ras.

Sam Smith then netted his sixth goal for the club since joining from Reading in January only three minutes later.

The Hollywood A-listers stopped for selfies with fans ahead of Saturday’s crucial game.

After the match Reynolds and McElhenney joined their team on the pitch and embraced the players that made their dream come true, celebrating with the trophy after match at SToK Racecourse.

Lifelong fan Mark Nicholls, from Wrexham, said the win was “unbelievable” .

“I’ve been coming here since I was eight years old, standing in the Kop with my family and this is totally unbelievable.

It’s like a dream come true. It’s what we always wanted as Wrexham and it’s about time the town, and north Wales, had an uplift,” he said.

Another supporter, Ben, from Llandudno said he could not explain what the win meant.

“From being nearly relegated in the National League to now being in the Championship next year.”

Elsewhere Cardiff City fans spoke of their disappointment as the team was relegated.

Cardiff City will play in the third tier of English football for the first time in 22 years next season after their relegation from the Championship.

Kirby England, 33, Rhondda Valley, said she was devastated but the team did their best.

“I thought we could have scored at least a good few on just how we did but it is what it is.

“We go down to League one with them and we’ll support them all way back up to the Championships again.”

Bianca Ali, 33, Cardiff, said it had been difficult being a Cardiff City fan this year.

“It’s been sad and heart-breaking. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions,” she said.