WREXHAM’S Hollywood owners were moved to tears after the club won promotion back to the Football League.
Every Tinseltown film needs a hero – and Paul Mullin proved to be Wrexham’s as his double sealed a return to the EFL after a 15-year-exile, sparking a mass pitch invasion.
The North Wales club – owned by film and TV superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – went behind against play-off chasers Boreham Wood.
But their nerves were settled when Elliot Lee levelled before Mullin knocked in his 45th and 46th goals of the season to send the Racecourse Ground into raptures.
And if Reynolds and McElhenney – who bought the club in February, 2021 – have their way, this is just the start of a rapid rise through the divisions for Wrexham.
They’ve already attracted supporters from the around the world, thanks to their documentary Welcome to Wrexham, which was screened on Disney +.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Its second series, which is being filmed this season, will surely attract even more viewers as they wait to see where this journey could take them.
And they were even given a hand by the Prince and Princess of Wales. who said: “Congratulations Wrexham.
“A club with such an amazing history, looking forward to a very exciting future back in the football league. Doing Wales proud. W.”
Wrexham will have a taste of the big time in July, when they are due to take on Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea in California and North Carolina as part of their American pre-season tour.
Most read in Football
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
As well as Reynolds and McElhenney, the Red Dragons had another Stateside visitor for this vital clash, with Ant Man star Paul Rudd rocking up at The Turf, the boozer made famous by Welcome to Wrexham.
And he would have been on edge – together with the 10,162 who packed into the Racecourse – when Lee Ndlovu put Boreham Wood in front after just 43 seconds.
The tension was palpable as the hosts struggled to find a way into the game, with Femi Ilesanmi going close to adding a second.
But Wrexham equalised on 15 minutes after Lee headed in at the near post and went in front on 52 minutes when Mullin drilled home beyond Wood goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore.
Any nerves were well and truly settled on 71 minutes when Wrexham grabbed a third after Mullin’s sensational strike from inside the box
And their promotion back to League Two came 15 years to the day since they were relegated to England’s fifth tier.
There were emotional scenes at the final whistle as Reynolds and McElhenney called their families while crying.
At the same time, elated fans flooded the pitch to celebrate their success and toast their heroes in style.
Reynolds was delighted as he gave a post-match talk, saying: “I am not sure I can process what happened tonight. I am still little speechless.
“[People ask] ‘Why Wrexham?’. This is why Wrexham. This happening, right now, is why.
“Boreham Wood showed up today. They are an incredible team. They have one of the best defences in the entire league.
“This entire story, the reason we are all on edge of our seats is because Notts County are so damn good. They deserve to go up. We are rooting for Notts County. We want to see them go up.”
McElhenney added: “Well I think we can hear what it feels to the town. It’s a time of celebration and be welcomed into their community and be welcomed to this, it is the honour of my life.
“I would like to say Paul Mullin is one of the greatest footballers in the world.”
Boss Parkinson beamed: “Amazing feeling I feel so emotional after what the club has been through in the last 15 years. I am so proud of the performance and the fans to go down and to come back.
“To play Notts County and to turn up on the big occasion, I’m pleased for every single one of them.
“We know how to win games and I just thought if we keep passing it and switching it we will get chances to score.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
