Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has revealed that owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are "involved in everything" at the club, including transfers.
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Hollywood owners led Wrexham to promotionParkinson reveals involvement at all levelsAlso explains impact they've had on himWHAT HAPPENED?
The Welsh side's Hollywood owners have been transformative since taking over in 2021, eventually leading Wrexham to League Two promotion after a nail-biting National League campaign last term. However, just a year earlier, the Red Dragons missed out in the play-off semi-finals to Grimsby. It is a game Parkinson admits he still can't watch back, although he revealed how Reynolds' and McElhenney's inspiring message after the defeat has had a lasting effect.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT PARKINSON SAID ABOUT THE OWNERS' SUPPORT
The Wrexham boss explained to : "When we lost in the play-offs, it really hurt – I’ve never watched the game back. But straight away after that match, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney came up to me on the pitch. They said ‘Phil, this is going to make our resolve stronger, we’re going to build the squad even stronger and have another go next season’. That support was amazing. It made me so determined – to chase players that summer that I felt could make a difference. We looked at where we felt we needed to improve, what had cost us that season, and tried to rectify it. Work started straight away – it took us until early July to get Elliot Lee in, sometimes deals take a while, but the work to sign him started literally a week after the Grimsby game.”
WHAT PARKINSON SAID ABOUT THE OWNERS' INVOLVEMENT
The signing of Lee was just one of many overseen by the Hollywood duo, who have a hand in all incomings and outgoings at the club. Parkinson added on Reynolds and McElhenney's transfer involvement: "We work very closely with the owners on recruitment. They’re involved in everything and want to be kept in the loop. When we’re looking at potential signings, we’re constantly explaining who we’re considering and why. When we’ve worked out which one we’re going to go for, I involve everyone in that decision and why we think that individual is suitable. Then Shaun Harvey, who’s operated as an advisor to the board, would establish the finances with the agent and the player, we see what it’s going to cost and decide if that player is still the one we want.”
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The acquisitions of experienced players including Lee have proven vital for Parkinson's side, with former Manchester United and England goalkeeper Ben Foster having a literal hand in their promotion bid last term. This season, recently retired Republic of Ireland international James McClean has made a huge impact, helping Wrexham rise up to third in League Two after 25 games – and further enhance the status of some of their best players.