Matt Jansen, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, has explained why Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac would continue to make ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ in the Premier League. Said documentary has opened up a window to the world for the Red Dragons, with a record-breaking run of three successive promotions being caught on camera. Just one more step up the ladder is required in order to reach the big time.
Hollywood co-owners overseeing a remarkable journey
Hollywood co-owners decided to document their exploits in North Wales from the moment that a stunning takeover was completed in 2021. It was clear from the start that Wrexham would be doing things slightly differently with A-list chairmen at the helm. A remarkable adventure has been enjoyed since then.
Wrexham have become the first club to bounce up three divisions in the EFL back-to-back-to-back, with that meteoric rise lifting them out of the National League and into the Championship. Big money has been invested along the way, on and off the pitch, with a new legion of loyal followers being swept up in the journey.
Interest in an award-winning documentary has been easy to maintain as success has come quicker than many anticipated. Drama aplenty has been delivered, with Reynolds and Mac figuring prominently. Questions have, however, been asked of whether the show could survive a few years of consolidation in the second tier, or even the threat of relegation.
AdvertisementGetty/FXWelcome to Wrexham in the Premier League: Why it would happen
Former Red Dragons striker Jansen, speaking in association with , told GOAL when quizzed about interest being retained if mid-table obscurity became the norm: “I think it can be, yeah. The directors and producers can make great stories – there could be a sacking of the manager, a player that gets injured or a big name player that comes in and is a flop or he’s brilliant and is going to push for promotion. They can still make it interesting.”
Wrexham would also need to make a big call on what happens next if they were to reach the Premier League, with privacy more of an issue when dealing with elite performers. Jansen, who graced the top-flight with Crystal Palace, Blackburn and Bolton, added: “They would have to carry it on because that is the ultimate goal, getting to the Premier League. They have done slightly less intrusive ones – Sunderland Til I Die, the Tottenham one, the Arsenal one. I think players like to be a little more private but they would have to carry the documentary on in the Premier League. If you want to keep private, you wouldn’t sign for Wrexham!”
Why consolidation for Wrexham is no bad thing
The obvious question is: Will Wrexham reach the Premier League? Pressed on whether inability to hit that target inside the next five years would be considered failure, Jansen said: “Every step up is big, but from League One to the Championship is huge and then again to the Premier League is even bigger. Every step up is huge. If you told any supporter when the duo came in and bought the club that they would be in the Championship in three or four years and be competing in there for another four or five years, they would have snapped your hand off.
“It is an incredibly difficult league, a lot of strong teams. Every season, three Premier League teams come down and they are expected to go straight back up again. I don’t think it would be a failure just to compete in the Championship and try and get into the play-offs and knock on the door of the Premier League. It wouldn’t be a failure not getting to the Premier League in four or five years.”
Getty/GOALBattle with Brady: Race on to reach the Premier League
Jansen went on to say of famous investors and why they are good for the British game as a whole, with Reynolds and Mac having set a serious trend: “I think it is good for the game. It brings a wider audience. As long as it doesn’t take the focus off the football and the football stays at a high quality, it’s just making the game more widespread. I think it’s good. It makes it really interesting. I think everybody secretly has a look for Wrexham’s results because of it, and Birmingham’s as well. It’s interesting and really good for the game.”
Birmingham have NFL legend Tom Brady on their board, with the seven-time Super Bowl winner often indulging in playful banter with Reynolds and Mac. The Blues, like Wrexham, have their sights set on reaching the Premier League as soon as possible – with transfer records being smashed on a regular basis while chasing that dream.