Wrexham AFC began their 2023-2024 Championship campaign with a Welsh derby against Cardiff City, as the club aims to continue its rapid rise through the English football league system. Co-owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham narrowly missed a play-off spot last season, finishing seventh in the Championship, just two points short of a top-six position.
Reynolds expressed a strong sense of pride in the club's recent performance, describing it as “obscene pride,” while McElhenney emphasized their ambition to achieve promotion to the Premier League, completing the club’s journey from the National League—the fifth tier of English football—where they competed as recently as 2023. Speaking during an interview on the Men in Blazers podcast, McElhenney stated, “We want to win and we want to win right now,” adding that their goal is to win the Championship and eventually establish Wrexham as one of the best clubs in English football. He clarified that this ambition is pursued with integrity, saying, “We don’t want to win at all or any cost.”
Since the Hollywood duo acquired the club in 2018, Wrexham has seen significant investment both on and off the pitch. Following a £33 million spending spree last summer aimed at strengthening the squad for Championship competition, further reinforcements have been made during the offseason. Notable new signings include Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, Crystal Palace wing back Danny Imray, and Preston North End midfielder Ben Whiteman. These additions reflect Wrexham’s focused approach to building a competitive squad capable of achieving promotion.
The club’s journey and ownership story have attracted global attention, amplified by the success of the documentary series "Welcome to Wrexham," which chronicles the team's progress under Reynolds and McElhenney. The initial skepticism about Wrexham’s ambitions was highlighted by Reynolds, who recalled the nervous laughter in response to their early declarations of aiming for the Premier League, a reaction that the owners believe ultimately worked to their advantage.
For Cardiff City, this local rivalry holds particular significance as well. New signing Jack Moylan, who joined from Lincoln City during the summer, described the fixture as the biggest game of his career, eager to experience Championship football for the first time.
As the season unfolds, both clubs will seek to capitalize on the momentum and fan support inherent in the derby, while Wrexham aims to turn early promise into tangible success and continue their ascent through the English football leagues.