One whole year of being Rob and Ryan's 'Hollywood Reds', sounds pretty good doesn't it?
February 9, 2022 marks one year to the day since Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ takeover of Wrexham AFC was confirmed – just moments after the Red Dragons had claimed a 2-1 win away to Altrincham at FC United of Manchester’s Broadhurst Park.
It has been some year for the owners, fans and club, with changes to the Racecourse, record signings and a determination to get back into the Football League.
READ: Rob and Ryan's message to Wrexham fans.
Here is a timeline of all the key dates, moments and events from the last 12 months at Wrexham AFC:
February 9, 2021 – Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ takeover of Wrexham AFC is completed. Humphrey Ker is appointed as the Club’s Executive Director with Shaun Harvey and Peter Moore as advisors to the Board. The takeover includes an immediate investment of £50,000 into the women’s football section.
The @Wrexham_AFC handover is complete! We’re toasting with a limited-edition bottle of @AviationGin and I am rebranding as Wrob. Both of which I am apparently legally obligated to do as I've been informed Ryan now owns my life rights. My lawyer is currently looking into it. pic.twitter.com/f4fdpJtlIq
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) February 9, 2021
Aviation American Gin are confirmed as Official Gin Partner and the first limited-edition bottles are made available to celebrate the takeover.
February 16, 2021 – The live stream is overhauled to a four-camera edited feed with replays, enhancing the matchday experience for fans with games being played behind closed doors. In the first game since Rob and Ryan’s takeover was confirmed, Wrexham beat Woking 2-0 with
Dior Angus – a player the co-chairmen had donated money to the Club pre-takeover to sign – fittingly scoring the first goal of the new era.
February 20, 2021 – Four days after the first win of the new era, is the first defeat – a 3-0 loss away to Aldershot Town.
March 12, 2021 – Fleur Robinson is confirmed as Wrexham’s new CEO and will leave her current role at Burton Albion at the end of the season.
March 26, 2021 – LED advertising boards are installed at the Racecourse Ground having previously been used at Wembley, including during the Club’s last visit in 2015.
March 26, 2021 – A new, free Club membership scheme is launched.
April 10, 2021 – Faced with an injury crisis up front and unable to make any new signings due to international transfer rules, Wrexham sign three forwards on non-contract terms – Gold Omotayo, Chris Sang and Keanu Marsh-Brown. Two days later, left-back Cameron Green also joins on non-contract terms.
May 17, 2021 – As the Club prepares to welcome supporters back to the Racecourse Ground in 2021/22, season ticket prices are confirmed – regardless of what league the Red Dragons will be playing in, no ticket will cost more than its equivalent from the 2019/20 season.
May 19, 2021 – AFL Architects are appointed to oversee the redevelopment of the Racecourse Ground. Work on the stadium starts in the summer, including a huge refurbishment of the WREXRENT Stand.
May 29, 2021 – Wrexham finish eighth in the Vanarama National League after drawing 1-1 with Dagenham & Redbridge on the final day, missing out on the play-offs having had matters in their own hands going into the game.
May 30, 2021 – Dean Keates, Andy Davies and Carl Darlington’s contracts are not renewed as the Board determine that a change of management will give the Club the best chance of gaining promotion in the 2021/22 season.
May 31, 2021 – Wrexham AFC Women are granted an FAW Tier 2 Licence, and the Club is placed in the Tier 2 North League (later renamed the Genero Adran North) for the forthcoming season.
May 31, 2021 – The free Club membership sign-up period is closed, with 18,226 people from 76 different countries having signed up.
June 1, 2021 – Fleur Robinson starts her role as CEO, promising to help fulfil the potential of the Football Club and build for a sustainable future in the EFL.
June 1, 2021 – Les Reed is announced as a new advisor to the Board, tasked with creating a football strategy for the Club and assisting with player recruitment/retention. The football strategy is to include the Women’s team and the Centre of Excellence.
June 2, 2021 – The retained list is announced and new deals subsequently agreed with Rob Lainton, Christian Dibble, Reece Hall-Johnson, Jamie Reckord, Devonte Redmond, Luke Young and Kwame Thomas, along with Cameron Green after his period as a non-contract player.
June 4, 2021 – Having initially agreed a new deal with Wrexham, club captain Shaun Pearson makes an 11th-hour u-turn, and opts to return to former club Grimsby Town.
June 22, 2021 – The new online club shop is launched, presenting a more customer-friendly site for supporters.
June 30, 2021 – TikTok is announced as new shirt sponsor, as the new home shirt is launched. Former shirt sponsors, Ifor Williams Trailers, lend a hand with the official launch as they are announced as the Club’s new short sponsor.
July 1, 2021 – Fans queue up from the early hours as the new home shirt goes on sale – selling out both in store and online within 48 hours.
July 1, 2021 – Aviation American Gin are announced as shirt sleeve sponsors.
July 1, 2021 – Phil Parkinson is appointed as the new Wrexham AFC manager, with longserving assistant manager Steve Parkin joining him at the Racecourse Ground.
July 9, 2021 – Liam McAlinden and Shaun Brisley are the first ‘new’ signings of summer.
July 12, 2021 – Lee Butler is reunited with Phil Parkinson and Steve Parkin, after leaving Sunderland to take up the role of goalkeeping coach at Wrexham.
July 14, 2021 – Expedia is announced as back-of-shirt sponsor.
July 18, 2021 – Jake Hyde signs for Wrexham – the first cash purchase since Kevin Roberts’ arrival, also from FC Halifax Town, almost exactly four years earlier.
July 21, 2021 – The Club confirms Kop barriers will be cut down and donated to the Wrexham Supporters Trust to assist with their fundraising efforts.
July 23, 2021 – Paul Mullin signs for Wrexham in a move that leaves fans stunned, as the leading goalscorer in League 2 in 2020/21 opts to join the Club.
July 24, 2021 – The new Philadelphia-inspired green away shirt is launched.
August 5, 2021 – Season ticket sales are capped, after an unprecedented 5,200 sales.
August 6, 2021 – Mari Edwards is appointed as Wrexham AFC Women manager.
August 8, 2021 – Wrexham AFC Women win on their Racecourse debut, as new striker Rosie Hughes scores four goals in a 6-1 win against Northop Hall Ladies.
August 8, 2021 – Wrexham sign Aaron Hayden from Carlisle United.
August 14, 2021 – Wrexham beat Curzon Ashton 3-1 in their final pre-season friendly as supporters return to the Racecourse Ground for a men’s game for the first time since March 2020.
August 16, 2021 – The new Wrexham AFC club website is launched.
August 16, 2021 – Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart MP, visits the Racecourse Ground.
August 19, 2021 – The new Kop banner is installed.
August 21, 2021 – Wrexham draw 2-2 with Solihull Moors, after conceding a late equaliser, in their first game of the 2021/22 season.
August 24, 2021 – James Jones signs for Wrexham from League One Lincoln City.
August 26, 2021 – Iconic Wrexham brand and long-term sponsor Wrexham Lager are confirmed as new stand sponsors of the Yale Stand.
August 27, 2021 – Wrexham sign Ben Tozer from Cheltenham Town.
August 28, 2021 – Tozer and Jones makes their debuts as Wrexham earn their first win of the 2021/22 season, beating Eastleigh 2-0.
August 30, 2021 – Wrexham’s first home league game of the season finishes 1-1 against Notts County, in front of season ticket holders only, as part of the transition arrangements for the return of spectators to stadiums in Wales.
September 11, 2021 – The refurbished WREXRENT Stand re-opens, including a new accessible viewing platform.
September 12, 2021 – EA Sports partnership announced; Wrexham to feature in ‘Rest of World’ on FIFA 22.
September 18, 2021 – Official Kit Supplier Macron strengthen their partnership with the Club, after being confirmed as stand sponsors on the Mold Road Stand.
October 1, 2021 – Powerchair Football is launched at Wrexham AFC – the Club becoming the first in Wales to offer it. The Club later funds the purchase of more Powerchairs following the popularity of the sessions.
October 7, 2021 – Teenage defender Max Cleworth signs a new three-year-contract with the Football Club, committing his long-term future to Wrexham AFC having made his league debut on the opening day of the season.
October 2021 – Racecourse pitch re-laid.
October 26-October 30, 2021 – Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ visit
October 26, 2021 – Rob & Ryan make an unannounced visit to Maidenhead United and share the despair of fans, as ten-man Wrexham are beaten 3-2.
October 27, 2021 – Upon their arrival in Wrexham, the co-chairmen are greeted by hundreds of fans outside the Turf before making good on a commitment to drink with fans when in town.
October 28, 2021 – The newly re-laid pitch is used for a training session that gives the players the opportunity to meet the new bosses and give them a few tips.
October 29, 2021 – A walking tour around Wrexham generates great attention and surprise, in equal proportion. A visit to see the Powerchair team in action at Glyndwr University was a moment to remember for all those involved.
October 30, 2021 - Wrexham’s highest National League attendance of 9,813 turn out to welcome Rob & Ryan to the Racecourse Ground against Torquay United. Only a late equaliser spoils the day.
November 6, 2021 – Wrexham bow out of the Emirates FA Cup, as League Two Harrogate Town come from behind to deny the Red Dragons a cup upset.
November 7, 2021 – Mari Edwards resigns as Wrexham AFC Women manager.
November 8, 2021 – Official Partners announced – Town and Country Properties & Barlows – who join Ifor Williams Trailers, as part of the Club’s partners programme.
November 12, 2021 – Kop survey opens.
November 21, 2021 – Steve Dale appointed Wrexham AFC Women manager, after two wins from two since taking interim charge.
November 27, 2021 – Dan Jones, Tom Jenkins, Will Mountfield and Kai Evans sign their first professional contracts. Aaron James and Dan Davies later follow suit.
December 11, 2021 – Kop survey results are announced, as supporters confirm their faith in the co-chairmen – 94 per cent of the 5,015 members responding to the survey would be supportive of the Club purchasing the freehold of the Racecourse Ground from Glyndwr University. The Board are delighted with the vote of confidence.
December 12, 2021 – Canada’s Minister of International Development, Harjit Sajjan, becomes the latest high-profile North American to show his support for Wrexham AFC – visiting the Racecourse Ground en-route to, and donning a Wrexham AFC face-mask at, the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting in Liverpool.
December 23, 2021 – Wrexham’s home match against Solihull Moors on Boxing Day is postponed due to COVID-19.
December 25, 2021 – Third shirt launched. The shirt was initially to be debuted on Boxing Day as part of Shelter’s #NoHomeKit campaign, but the Club pledge to still back the fundraising scheme at the first opportunity they get to wear the shirt.
January 1, 2022 – Jordan Davies signs a new, long-term contract.
January 2, 2022 – The co-chairmen make a £10,000 donation to Jordan Davies’ fundraiser for SANDS, following the stillbirth of his son Arthur.
January 15, 2022 – The new, white third shirts are worn for the first time as Wrexham beat Folkestone Invicta 5-1 in the Buildbase FA Trophy. The match-worn shirts are auctioned off with Town & Country, and raise £2,600 for Shelter’s #NoHomeKit campaign.
January 23, 2022 – Wrexham AFC Women claim a seventh consecutive league win – having not yet lost in the league under Steve Dale – by beating Connah’s Quay Nomads 3-2. The result sees Wrexham leapfrog the Nomads to top the table for the first time.
January 24, 2022 – Ollie Palmer signs for Wrexham AFC for a club-record fee – surpassing the £210,000 paid for Joey Jones, the Club’s previous record transfer fee that had stood since 1978. Palmer signs a three-and-a-half-year deal and scores on his debut the following night.
January 27, 2022 – Callum McFadzean signs from Crewe Alexandra, signing a two-and-a-half year deal.
January 31, 2022 – Tom O’Connor arrives on transfer deadline day for an undisclosed fee.
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