DEAN KEATES has challenged his players to "get the whole lot" and clinch promotion from the National League after being given an added financial incentive by their new owners.

Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds completed their takeover of the club last month and have created a Players Bonus Scheme.

By reaching an agreement with Reds' captain Shaun Pearson, on behalf of the squad, the new incentives "have been negotiated to meet the specific circumstances through to the end of this season, and are thought to be the most generous ever offered during the club’s absence from the EFL".

Those that play in any game will now receive £200 for each win and £50 for a draw, as long as Wrexham remain in a play-off position, and a bonus pot of £250,000 if promotion is achieved this season.

But Keates does not need telling that the players have to be successful to reap the rewards.

"Bonus sheets are in place at every single club in the country, going down levels below us; National League North and South, and probably the ones below that, and they are in place all the way up." said Keates.

"It is only an incentive bonus. You only get it if you achieve - it is added incentive.

"Some of the contracts that were given out at the beginning of the season, we were on a Covid budget; the budget had cut-backs from what it was last season.

"There is something in place where they can go and earn a little bit more for themselves. It is an incentive so if we don't achieve, you don't get, so it is all about achieving."

Wrexham banked the first money since the Scheme was unveiled on Saturday after beating lowly Wealdstone 4-1 at The Racecourse.

The Reds trailed 1-0 at the break following a poor first half performance but Keates' side played some excellent attacking football after the break and clinched a deserved win thanks to two-goal Kwame Thomas, Luke Young and Dior Angus.

Now fifth in the table, Keates has urged his players to set their sights on the big bonus pot of £250,000 by securing promotion.

"We go for it every game," said Keates. "There was something in place under the previous ownership but it wasn't open to be able to get your hands on a percentage now; it was all about achieving.

"There was something in place, extra has been added and it is a little bit more open for the group to go and get part of it now.

"But we are not looking at it as just getting little bits and pieces, as I said to the group: "Get the whole lot".

"If we get the whole lot we get promoted so that is what I want for the group."

Keates has faith in the ability of his side but he wants his players to have more confidence in themselves.

"Sometimes they need a little bit more belief in themselves," said Keates.

"I think that is the biggest thing because there are some good players in there.

"There is a lot of noise on the outside, things get said about everybody in there.

"I just said ignore it, back yourselves, be confident in yourselves and have each others backs, and that is what they have got."

Some of their promotion rivals have games in hand on Wrexham but Keates is just focused on his side maintaining their own challenge in the final three months of the campaign.

"It is positive, fifth in the league," said Keates.

"The league table is what it is, it is where we finish at the end of the season.

"I said to the players, yes, teams have got games in hand on us, but all we do is look at winning the next football match, look after ourselves and run our own race."