What Happened When Wrexham Celebrated Their Promotion in Las Vegas?

As Wrexham A.F.C. ascends rapidly through the tiers of English football, their recent celebration following promotion to the Championship has revealed both the club's unique spirit and an unexpected hiccup. The festivities, which took place in Las Vegas, showcased not only the joyous atmosphere surrounding the team but also the rather comical challenges that come with such wild celebrations.

The Hollywood duo of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who purchased the club in 2020, reportedly spent £500,000 on a lavish party to honour their team's achievement. After being promoted for the third consecutive year under the guidance of manager Phil Parkinson, the team jetted off to Las Vegas via a private airplane, ready to celebrate in style.

However, the festivities took a turn when Wrexham players found themselves stuck in a lift for over an hour during their night out at Hakkasan Nightclub. After an enthusiastic bout of jumping about to amplify their excitement, the lift ceased to function, leading to a rather sobering wait for firefighters to come to their aid. This unexpected twist provided a stark yet humorous contrast to the jubilation surrounding their promotion.

A source close to the events recounted, “They’d been drinking all day and were a bit over-excited when they got in the lift. Next thing they knew, the lift came to an abrupt stop and would no longer move.” Fortunately, once freed, they were welcomed back to the party with the best table in the house, a true reflection of the lavish celebrations set in motion by their celebrity owners.

These celebration events are not just a spontaneous getaway; they signal the dawning of a new era for Wrexham. This moment encapsulates their meteoric rise from a struggling non-league side to now competing in the English Football League Championship, just a step away from the illustrious Premier League. The ambition of Reynolds and McElhenney has stirred excitement and hope among the club's supporters who had long awaited a revival.

Reynolds himself expressed surprise at the scepticism received when the ambitions for the club were first announced. “People would laugh when we would say that [the Premier League being the target]. I never understood why that would be funny; someone set up the system so you could theoretically take a team from out of the league and bring it up to the top,” he commented, reflecting on the journey since their takeover.

With this celebration marking another landmark in Wrexham's history, the camaraderie and connection felt within the squad and their fans resonates with the essence of the club. As McElhenney drew parallels to Liverpool's iconic anthem, "You'll Never Walk Alone," it becomes clear that this is more than mere entertainment; it is about forging a community and a legacy.

What will be Wrexham’s next big adventure in this football fairy tale? As fans eagerly await the unfolding of their story in the Championship, one cannot help but wonder how far this ambitious team can go under the guise of their Hollywood heroes.

What are your thoughts on Wrexham's journey thus far? Share your opinions in the comments below!

• Rob McElhenney
• Ryan Reynolds
• Wrexham