HOW times have changed in the 20 years I've reported on Wrexham.

I started covering the Reds for The Leader in November 2004 and I don't think anyone knew what was around the corner.

Wrexham were in the same division they are in now and sitting in a healthy mid-table position.

But I will never forget interviewing Denis Smith in his office at Colliers Park with both of us wearing our coats because the heating was off as the bills hadn't been paid.

"Please don't tell anyone, Rich," said Smith, a proud-man who didn't want the club's problems to become public knowledge.

But people knew things weren't right and off-the field issues became the norm as the club battled for survival, and I found myself reporting on a team that lost its Football League status in 2008 after two relegations in just a few years which was heart-breaking as a Wrexham fan.

The club faced more dark days behind the scenes and things weren't great on the pitch with some forgettable matches to report on. Anyone remember Grays Athletic away under Brian Little, or losing at Ebbsfleet, whose players didn't even warm-up after problems of their own?

The non-league nightmare went on and one for longer than any of us imagined but cue Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

The Hollywood stars have breathed fresh life into this proud club since becoming co-owners and success has followed. I have never written so many match reports which have ended with a Wrexham win and the glory days have returned with two promotions in a row.

Trips to the likes of Braintree, Dover and Woking have been swapped for games with Birmingham City, Bolton and Charlton Athletic at magnificent stadiums, and Phil Parkinson's men are more than holding their own in League One.

(Image: PA)

Parkinson has been great to deal with, as have most managers who have been in charge of the Reds during my two decades covering the club.

Some seasons I haven't missed a game - and there's plenty I wish I hadn't gone to!

I've clocked up the miles over the last 20 years, including four trips to Wembley Stadium and the memorable Football League Trophy Final triumph in Cardiff in 2005.

It's been an honour reporting on the team I support and while there have been many, many lows, there were good times even during the struggles and the highs of recent seasons will never be forgotten.

I was privileged to get an exclusive one-on-one interview with Reynolds and McElhenney at The Turf pub during the actors' first ever visit to Wrexham in October 2021.

That was obviously one of the stand-out moments for me over the last two decades and I still have to pinch myself what's happening at The Racecourse.

The actors have made Wrexham a global sensation and it's a wonderful journey we're on under their stewardship - a far cry from making sure I was well wrapped up for my interviews in the cold with Sir Denis!