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calacuspr · 1 year

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Calacus Monthly Hit & Miss – Wrexham AFC & The FIA

Every month we look at the best and worst communicators in the sports world.

HIT – WREXHAM AFC

There’s been a trend in recent years for Americans to invest in football clubs in the UK.

Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Leeds are just some of the clubs under some form of U.S. ownership.

You can see the attraction – big, fanatical crowds, huge global audiences and the adaptation of some familiar US sports marketing and fan engagement principles which can provide significant returns in various forms.

Nevertheless, it came as a surprise to many when Wrexham, once of the Football League but stagnating in the National League since 2008, were approached by Hollywood superstar Ryan Reynolds and actor Rob McElhenney to buy the club.

The big question at the time was “Why?”

Why would two successful entertainers from North America be interested in a struggling non-league football club, the third oldest professional club in the world, that was in a period of decay and without a history of sporting success?

Wrexham had also been docked points in 2004 for going into administration while a succession of owners have mismanaged the club before the Wrexham Supporters’ Trust took ownership and put together a plan to make the club viable.

When Reynolds and McElhenney made their approach, the club was debt free and that meant any investment could go straight into the team and the club’s infrastructure.

Humphrey Ker, a writer and actor with McElhenney, discussed buying a club in the English pyramid and, according to FourFourTwo magazine, was sent to the UK, tasked with finding a club for McElhenney and Reynolds to buy. He established a set of criteria, among them facilities, fanbase, history and finance, where Wrexham scored highest, with 38 marks out of 50. The scoring mechanism also included a column for ‘narrative.’

“This sounds a bit naff, but we also wanted to buy somewhere that deserves it,” said Ker. “Wrexham needs a break, the fans need a break, and the same goes for the town.

“The objective was to use it as a philanthropic engine; a way to generate more positivity and investment in the town.”After the trials and tribulations that the club’s fans have faced, you wouldn’t blame them for having a healthy dose of scepticism about new owners, coming from a country without a deep-rooted football tradition and with CVs centred around entertainment rather than sport.

But while their connections and finances have helped, Reynolds and McElhenney have shown a fine balance between using their business skills in conjunction with an understanding of the community, which should reassure even the most cynical of supporters since the club was acquired in early 2021.

What the new owners have grasped is the fundamental connection between the football club and the community and in Wrexham, they have found a club based in a region that has suffered as local industry declined but whose spirit has endured despite its struggles.

"It was about how much I recognised and identified with the people in the stands," said McElhenney at a press conference after buying the club.

"What they see and feel in Wrexham is the same as what we do. We love telling the story of a working class club and a working class town, because it's a story people can identify with.”

Public relations is often thought to be about saying nice things, the right thing, that satisfies concerns or generates goodwill.

In reality, public relations is many more things, but it includes the process of telling good stories that are backed up by authentic actions – and understanding the importance of sincerity over soundbites.

After finalising the purchase of the Racecourse Ground freehold, they confirmed that it includes a covenant to ensure it will remain Wrexham’s home until at least 2115 unless the club outgrow it, which is of significance given the tendency of some rogue owners to use the ground as collateral when they need funds.

Since Reynolds and McElhenney bought the club, their investment has not only been in new players which put the club on a competitive footing for promotion back to the Football League.

‘Welcome to Wrexham,’ the FX/Disney documentary that has attracted rave reviews for telling the story of the club since its takeover, has provided a platform for exposure which has ultimately benefited the club.

While the documentary combines sporting narrative with comedy and the reality of struggles in non-League football, they incorporate Welsh language elements to ensure that the show’s global audience is aware that the club is not actually based in England.

That has led to the Welsh Government and the Football Association of Wales planning to present the Dragon Award to Reynolds and McElhenney in recognition of their support for the Welsh language in November.

Sian Doyle, chief executive of the national broadcaster of Wales, S4C, said: “Their passion for Wrexham, including learning Welsh, one of the oldest living languages in Europe, has shone a light on Welsh football as we head into the World Cup.

“Wales may be small, but we are passionate and fiercely proud of our language and culture. As the leading broadcaster for Wales, we are honoured to recognise their contribution by saying ‘diolch’ (thank you).”

Sponsors including Tik Tok, Expedia, Vistaprint and Reynolds’ own Aviation Gin have also helped club revenues rise and they even secured inclusion in FIFA 22 as part of the "Rest of World" section, becoming the first non-league team to be featured in the series.

McElhenney, who comes from a blue collar background in Philadelphia, explained how much thought has gone into the running of the club.

“We were looking for people with whom we could identify. People that we grew up with. And I look around at the faces of the people of Wrexham; they’re my uncles and my aunts, and my cousins, brothers, sisters and the people I grew up with.

“A working class community, Philadelphia is certainly like that. They work hard and they expect the teams they support to give everything they can.”

He added: “We’re putting the community first at every turn. So every time we make a decision or try to make an adjustment or pick a direction, we’re always seeking the counsel of people who are there on the ground.

“‘Is this the right thing for the community? Do we believe that this is what’s going to create a winning formula in the short term, and in the long term?’

“We definitely approached this with a tremendous amount of respect and reverence.”

The co-chairmen continue to back their words with actions.

In late October, a new planning application was submitted to rebuild the abandoned Kop stand which will complete the Racehorse Ground.

McElhenney spent the weekend meeting fans at The Turf pub and then watched the women’s team before visiting the Wrexham foodbank, which the club supports to help the most in need.

“Thank you for having me and for the incredible work you do. Looking fwd to many years of partnership!” he tweeted, having previously created a comedic cookbook to raise money for them.

That was followed by the appointment of John Widdowson as the club’s newly created Head of Community, to focus on the opportunities to make a positive impact, as Ker explained: “This appointment is important in ensuring that we are in the best position possible to continue and to grow the work of the Wrexham AFC Community Trust, to ensure the Football Club is an asset to the whole community”

In a highly competitive National League, promotion is far from guaranteed.

But at every step, the Wrexham co-Chairmen and wider Board have made good on their promises to invest in the community as well as the team.

From supporting local initiatives, to helping individuals in need, theirs is a story of compassion as much as it is of ambition.

MISS – THE FIA

Formula One has a reputation problem.

There has been so much progress since Liberty Media acquired the rights to the Formula One Group in 2016.

Social media marketing has been embraced and the sport has done a solid job of breaking through in the United States, where other forms of motor racing traditionally take precedence.

For all their good work, though, the past 12 months have seen one crisis after another.

The conclusion of the 2021 F1 season in Abu Dhabi last November still rankles with many after race director Michael Masi appeared to apply the rules in a manner never seen before , handing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen his first world title.

By turning the race into a one-lap shootout which Hamilton had no chance of winning, F1’s sporting integrity was seriously undermined with appeals thrown out and radio messages released which suggested that Red Bull sporting director, Jonathan Wheatley, had told Masi how to deal with the race climax.

Masi lost his role as Race Director, which gave the impression that he was indeed to blame for mistakes that occurred during last season’s final race and led to a review of the rules to ensure no repeat in subsequent seasons.

But the FIA continue to make a mess of things, undermining the great work that Liberty has done to grow the sport.

Hamilton had to defend his activism against criticism from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who argued the sport had become ‘too political’ because of drivers taking the knee or wearing rainbow helmets to support marginalised elements of society.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem criticised Hamilton and Vettel for using their influence to raise awareness of important issues in an interview with GrandPrix247, saying: "Everybody has the right to think. To me, it is about deciding whether we should impose our beliefs in something over the sport all the time. I am from an Arabian culture, I am international and Muslim. I do not impose my beliefs on other people, no way, never.”

Ben Sulayem had to make an embarrassing retreat, tweeting: “As a driver, I have always believed in sport as a catalyst of progress in society. That is why promoting sustainability, diversity and inclusion is a key priority of my mandate. In the same way, I value the commitment of all drivers and champions for a better future.”

The mess F1 have found themselves grew when Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali ruled out women competing in F1 in the next few years, creating more avoidable controversy.

But that has not been the worst of it.

The FIA’s financial regulations review found that Aston Martin were guilty of a procedural breach whilst Red Bull breached the procedural and minor overspend limits related to the $145m budget cap.

The ‘Minor Overspend Breach’ revelations have caused further friction between Red Bull and Mercedes, whose chief Toto Wolff was clear that the breach could give a team an unfair advantage.

He said: "It is a so-called minor violation, but I believe that the definition is not completely correct.

"If you spend five million more than the limit, it is still a minor violation, but the impact on the championship is significant.”

No wonder McLaren F1 chief Zak Brown wrote to the FIA suggesting that Red Bull’s budget cap breach "constitutes cheating."

He commented: “"The overspend breach, and possibly the procedural breaches, constitute cheating by offering a significant advantage across technical, sporting and financial regulations.

"The FIA has run an extremely thorough, collaborative and open process. We have even been given a one-year dress rehearsal (in 2020), with ample opportunity to seek any clarification if details were unclear. So, there is no reason for any team to now say they are surprised.

"The bottom line is any team who has overspent has gained an unfair advantage both in the current and following year's car development.

"We don't feel a financial penalty alone would be a suitable penalty for an overspend breach or a serious procedural breach. There clearly needs to be a sporting penalty in these instances, as determined by the FIA.”

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has fought back against suggestions of cheating, arguing that other teams are collaborating to put pressure on the FIA to hand out a heavy punishment.

He commented: “For a fellow competitor to be accusing you of cheating, to accuse you of fraudulent activity, is absolutely shocking.

“What has been tremendously disappointing is the leakage that happened. Suddenly we are tried and subjected to three weeks of effective abuse. And then to be seeing a letter accusing us of cheating and being fraudulent, it is just not right, and this has to stop.

“We have been on trial because of public accusations since Singapore. The rhetoric of cheats, that we've had this enormous benefit, numbers have been put out in then media that are miles out of reality. The damage that does to the brand, to pour partners, to our drivers to our workforce."

That is down in no small part to the FIA and the length of time it has needed to take action, which has put it in an impossible position.

Under its own rules, the FIA is beholden to “publish a summary of the terms of the ABA, detailing the breach, any sanctions, and any enhanced monitoring procedures, omitting any Confidential Information.”

They should have announced immediately how much the overspend actually was and ideally what it was spent on, particularly after such a close-run title last season.

Red Bull’s punishment was delayed following the death of the team’s co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz, who died aged 78 following a long-term illness but had been dragging on before his death.

The silence gave rise to speculation and uncertainty that the sport could do without with Hamilton aware of the reputational damage that is being done.

He said: "I think we need to continue to have transparency for the fans, for the integrity of the sport.

"There's different numbers and different things being said here and there, so I was expecting those results – like you – to come out yesterday.

"I would like to think that if it's been delayed it's because it's been taken very seriously and I trust that Mohammed (Ben Sulayem), is taking it seriously and will do what is right for the sport, I hope. I think it would be bad for the sport if action wasn't taken if there was a breach.”

The delay since the initial breaches announcement prompted suggestions that a deal was being negotiated rather than imposed and when the FIA announced a fine of $7m and a 10% reduction in aerodynamic research, it did not feel particularly punitive.

The rules have been created for a reason – to act as a framework for fair play and act as a deterrent to prevent further rule-breaking in future.

“There is no accusation or evidence that Red Bull has sought at any time to act in bad faith, dishonestly or in a fraudulent manner, nor has it willfully concealed any information from the Cost Cap Administration,” read an FIA statement.

Horner called the punishment “draconian” and added:”It’s a hit, it’s a handicap. There were other sporting penalties available but this was lobbied for hard by our competitors because it hit us the hardest.

“Following the speculation and sniping that has gone on in the paddock it is in everybody’s interest to close the book today. We accept the penalties, begrudgingly. We take it on the chin. Did we see any on-track performance? No we did not.”

Wolff had a different view and said that the reputational damage would be too much to tempt breaking the rules: “Nine teams complied with the regulations and stayed below the cap. This is a sport of marginal gains, and everything else is just chatter. There’s no mitigating factor.

“"I think what you see is that beyond the sporting penalty and the financial fine there's also a reputational damage and in a world of transparency and good governance that's just not on anymore. And compliance-wise, in whatever team you are, you're responsible for representing a brand, your employees, your partners, and that's why for us it wouldn't be a business case."

Clearly, Ben Sulayem has plenty of work to do to reassure fans that the integrity of the sport really is secure.

Whether that is possible, remains to be seen.

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mrsbsmooth · 5 months

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11, 15, 20 for the ask game 🤍

Hi beautiful!!! Yay thank you!!!

11. What's something that lives in your brain rent-free and you want everyone to know about the fandom/game/your fanworks?

Lewie plays in the National League for a Welsh team but he says we "might be going up". Given that the game was written mostly in 2022, at the time the only Welsh team in the National League was one Wrexham FC (go greyhounds!) AKA the team owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, AKA the subject of 'Welcome to Wrexham'. Like it is literally canon that that is the team he plays for. And they DID go up in 2023 [sobbing]! They won promotion because they won the National League so my baby plays in League Two now.

15. What's your favourite WIP of yours?

MY CHRISTMAS GIFT FIC!!!!!!! I'm so excited about it. The Alex blowjob is also going to be fun but my christmas fic I am so proud of how it's come together and I'm 94% sure my giftee is going to love it.

20. Your favourite underrated character?

Ciaarrrannnnn Ciaran Ciaran Ciaran my beloved my baby.

Thank you for the ask lovely!!!

#ask game

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f1 · 10 months

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Wrexham FC co-owner Ryan Reynolds part of 170m celebrity buy-in at Alpine | 2023 F1 season

The Alpine F1 team has received a €200 million (£170m) boost from an investment group including Wrexham FC owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Enstone-based F1 team, run by Renault under their Alpine brand, announced it has sold shares amounting to a 24% equity stake of Alpine Racing Ltd. The group of investors consists of Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners – which holds a large stake in Fenway Sports Group, owners of English Premier League football club Liverpool – and Maximum Effort Investments, led by Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds along with fellow actor and Wrexham FC owner Rob McElhenney. Another celebrity, ‘Black Panther’ star Michael B Jordan, has joined as a co-investor. The share purchase values Alpine’s F1 team at $900m (£700m). The buy-in only involves Alpine’s F1 team and does not include Renault’s power unit factory at Viry-Chatillon in France, which remains owned by Renault. Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi said the investment would enhance the team’s performance “at all levels.” Rossi said the investors would “bring their recognised expertise to boost our media and marketing strategy, essential to support our sporting performance over the long term. “Second,” Rossi continued, “the incremental revenue generated will in turn be reinvested in the team, in order to further accelerate our ‘Mountain Climber’ plan, aimed at catching up with top teams in terms of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.” James Toney, co-founder of Maximum Effort Investments, said that there was “tremendous untapped potential” in the Alpine F1 team. “We are eager to help shine a light on this incredible team,” Toney said. “We’re thankful to our partners at Otro Capital and RedBird Capital Partners and look forward to diving in with them, as well as our co-investors Michael B. Jordan and Rob McElhenney.” Alpine finished fourth in last year’s constructors’ championship after beating rivals McLaren to the ‘best of the rest’ position behind last year’s three strongest teams. The team currently sit in fifth place on 44 points after eight rounds. Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free 2023 F1 season Browse all 2023 F1 season articles via RaceFans - Independent Motorsport Coverage https://www.racefans.net/

#F1 #Wrexham FC co-owner Ryan Reynolds part of £170m celebrity buy-in at Alpine | 2023 F1 season #Formula 1

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streamingfanatic1963 · 6 months

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https://www.mensjournal.com/news/ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-lost-money-investing-wrexham-fc

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fcsources · 10 months

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Hey!! Would you please help me find an actor faceclaim (with brunette hair) who can play the father of Katie Stevens, please? Thank you so much!

of course! i really love helping with older fcs, actually. there's a pretty wide range of ages here, but these are my recommendations for you!

Anthony Stewart Head ( 1954, actor, brunet )

Antony Starr ( 1975, actor, brunet/blond )

Ben McKenzie ( 1978, actor, brunet )

Bruce Campbell ( 1958, actor, brunet )

Dougray Scott ( 1965, actor, brunet )

Henry Thomas ( 1971, actor, brunet )

Lucas Bryant ( 1978, actor, brunet )

Michael C. Hall ( 1971, actor, brunet/red )

Michael Rowe ( approx. 1965-1970, actor, brunet )

Rob McElhenney ( 1977, actor, brunet )

#older fc #rpc #rph #tumblr rp #mature rp #mature muse rp #literate rp #lsrpg #lsrp #appless rp #answered #answered: could be related #answered: fc help #answered: anonymous #five nights at freddi's: mascot post

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deadlinecom · 1 year

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latestmoviesblog · 1 year

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“We did it first!” – Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney on ‘Ted Lasso’ Comparisons

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased the Wrexham Soccer club to bring it back to its glory at a much needed time. Although originally McElhenney’s, the idea saw a silver lining in Reynolds’ popularity and made way for one of the most captivating and applauded sports documentaries. Despite having their heart in the right place, the duo’s quest to turn the tide upside down for Wrexham FC was…

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jhamazamnews-blog · 1 year

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Ryan Reynolds donates £1,600 towards youth football team's new kit in Wrexham | Ents & Arts News

Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds has surprised a children’s football team by donating £1,600 so they can buy a new kit. Kayleigh Barton, who set up a fundraising page for her son’s under-12s team – FC United of Wrexham – said she was in “complete shock”. Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney are owners of the city’s National League side, which they took over in 2021. In response to Ms Barton’s…

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coleyyork94 · 1 year

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Ryan Reynolds Slams The National League's "BAFFLING" Decision

Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has slammed the National League's recent decision not to consider an international streaming plan.

In April 2021, the fifth-division side announced plans to launch an international streaming service. This was two months following the time that Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney took over the club.

And now the Hollywood star has launched a vicious attack on the league's decision to ignore the suggestion on social media and has called the decision "baffling".

Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds slammed the National League's recent decision online

The league decided not to accept an international streaming plan proposed by the club.

The 45-year-old wrote on Twitter: ' After months of maximum effort, the decision (through inaction of the @Vanarama National League) to not allow domestic/international streaming of matches of Wrexham and the other clubs in the league is truly baffling. @btsport.

"Depriving each league team the chance to increase their fan base and boost revenue from leagues benefits everyone. This is an opportunity to shine and spotlight and we ask the @TheVanaramaNL to take this opportunity. We also urge @Vanarama and @btsport to assist them in finding the wisdom to do this.'

In an effort to improve access to international games in the league, he has tagged the official Twitter accounts for every team in the league.

After months of maximum effort, the decision (through inaction of the @Vanarama National League) to not allow domestic/international streaming of matches of Wrexham and the other clubs in the league is truly baffling. CC @btsport Pls RT!!! 1/4

Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds), August 29, 2022

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney actors, who recently purchased an Welsh club called Wrexham AFC.

The club also released an official statement regarding the issue on Monday night, claiming that they 'feel let down' by the National League's decision.

The statement read: 'The stream of National League games for all clubs is on the agenda for a lengthy period with Wrexham AFC first raising the issue in April 2021.

'Streaming games will be financially beneficial for all clubs and greatly increase the visibility of the League by giving the League's Executives a platform to market the game, which can generate more central revenue.

'At the start of the season, with the pending launch of 'Welcome to Wrexham', the Club increased its pressure on the National League to secure the support of BT and allow all clubs to stream their games domestically and internationally, considering the requirements of UEFA Article 48.'

Wrexham claim that the request has not even been considered by the Board of the National League'

It continued: 'Havingn't made any significant progress, on 23rd of August 2022, the Club demanded that the Board of the National League approve an approach to BT to get their consent for Wrexham to stream their sold-out game against Gateshead.

"Unbelievable, the request hasn't even even been considered by the Board of the National League yet, never mind a decision made.

The Club is disappointed and can only assure fans, both old and new, that we've done all we could to provide the opportunity to watch the game live both in the UK and abroad.

'On Tuesday, there will be at most 39 games available to viewers in the UK audience to stream on different platforms, and possibly more to the international market. The reason there's a reluctance from the National League to allow game to be broadcast is hard to understand.

"We will continue to push to ensure that all clubs are able to stream games and not just Wrexham FC.

McElhenney (right) and Ryan Reynolds (left) took over non-league team Wrexham in the year 2020.

The club can anticipate an increase in their global fan base following the recent release of their documentary which shows the ins and outs of their control of the club.

Two years in the making, the fly-on the-wall documentary of the Hollywood pair, entitled 'Welcome to Wrexham', released this week, details their first steps as owners of an unofficial fifth division football team.

If all goes according to the plan, Wrexham's National League journey will be an immense success, particularly in America where the co-owners are most famous.

Rob McElhenney (left) and Ryan Reynolds (right) are photographed at Wrexham's home field.

McElhenney and Reynolds formed a business partnership before taking over Wrexham over two years ago.

It was initially greeted with controversy, but over time more and more fans have embraced idea of Hollywood A-Listers having a non-league football team.

A large amount of money has been injected into the club, and Phil Parkinson's side began their season with a winning victory, beating Eastleigh 2-1 on the opening day of the National League season.

They currently rank 7th in the National League, having picked three wins in their opening five games.

4am watch parties including peanut butter sandwiches and jelly sandwiches are served in... Ryan Reynolds shows the joy of watching Rob McElhenney DANCE... Hollywood star Rob McElhenney donates PS10,000... EIGHTEIGHTSIX REVEALED: Man United's new boys Christian Eriksen & Lisandro...

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#EIGHTEIGHTSIX

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petnews2day · 1 year

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So cheesy Mickey Mouse could pop up in his PE kit

New Post has been published on https://petnews2day.com/pet-news/small-pet-news/so-cheesy-mickey-mouse-could-pop-up-in-his-pe-kit/

So cheesy Mickey Mouse could pop up in his PE kit

Celebrities helping struggling football teams under the guise of giving back (and, entirely coincidentally, having a camera crew follow the process) is quite the trend. Peter Crouch has had a pop at bringing in some extra cash for Dulwich Hamlet FC in Discovery+’s Save Our Beautiful Game, while Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham and documented their journey in Welcome to Wrexham on Disney+. Now, David Beckham has jumped on the bandwagon.

In Save Our Squad, the former England captain goes back to his footballing roots, embedding himself into a flailing team in the same London youth league in which he started his career. Westward Boys were once the best team, but promotion to the Premier division has left them at the bottom of the table. It’s up to Beckham to whip them into shape, with his fatherly, borderline cheesy (this is a Disney show, after all) advice.

For the most part, it seems to work. At first, Beckham’s involvement in the season is a secret to the boys and he surprises them after watching them lose 4-1. Their spirits are certainly lifted, and Golden Balls’s ego is boosted when they tell him his passing score on Fifa is “sick”. There’s joviality and laughs – questions for Beckham include “didn’t you miss a penalty?” “What car do you drive?” – but their new coach soon puts them to work.

Beckham comes across undoubtedly well (worth noting perhaps, that Save Our Squad is co-produced by his own company, Studio99). He’s confident in front of the boys, dispensing wisdom for navigating life both on and off the pitch, but also self-conscious and nervous that he’ll put a foot wrong. Best of all, and surprisingly for one of the most famous men on the planet, he knows when to stay in the shadows.

Into his limelight step the players themselves. The first episode brings quiet Orlando to the fore after Beckham finds an affinity with him⁠ – he too used to always get picked last for teams. In games, Orlando is quick, and Beckham picks him out as an early star player, but his shyness is his downfall. Not only does he struggle to make friends with the rest of the boys, but crucially they can’t hear him on the pitch, either. But when the film crew spends time with Orlando at home, a bright, loveable, mature young man emerges.

Save Our Squad gives each of the Westward Boys their time in the spotlight. We meet Fred, who Beckham describes as “a typical goalkeeper – crazy and loud”, who must learn to channel his frustrations and energy into playing a better game. There are Rio and Ethan, who have the potential to be phenomenal goal scorers with the right focus. Vaughan, who gets easily exasperated with the positions he’s asked to play, is advised by Beckham to trust his coaches’ instructions. The kids, eager to please and talented, are the real stars of the show.

The dedication of their two coaches, Ade Abayomi and Edwin Mensah, also shines through in every scene – and their belief in the boys is infectious.

Unlike Save Our Beautiful Game or Welcome to Wrexham, Beckham doesn’t try to make any grand sweeping statements about the state of grassroots football. Underfunded and often ignored by industry bigwigs, there’s certainly plenty to say, but Save Our Squad skirts over this in favour of a more uplifting, less preachy approach. Here, only the magic of football matters.

You can do anything if you work hard, says Beckham. And for each 45-minute episode, it’s hard not to take his word for it. At times, Beckham’s inspirational speeches venture so far into cliché that you half expect Mickey Mouse to pop up in his PE kit. But who can blame him for wanting to bring some joy into the world? I couldn’t wipe my own cheesy grin off my face.

#Small Pets News

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danthemannw · 2 years

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Wrexham VS Eastleigh - 6 August 2022

Hello and welcome to this review of the opening day clash in the Vanarama National League between Wrexham and Eastleigh. I am DanTheManNW, I wrote football reviews back in the 2018-19 season. The football club has changed a lot since my last review, we got new owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who are fantastic, you can see this in the club’s new documentary, Welcome to Wrexham, later this month.

If you are reading this review and you don’t know who I am. I am a student at Glyndwr University in Wrexham reading a games development on the games programming path. I am also one of the Grads in the Games student ambassadors at the university, helping my fellow students to break into the industry. Why am I writing a football review? I started writing reviews and football data as part of my involvement with Wrexham Inclusion FC. I am a big believer in trying different things to have variety in my life. I am also a season ticket holder in Mold Road Stand as I am a power chair user, it’s my second year of being a holder.

As I am in a powerchair, I have never thought it would be possible to play for Wrexham. However, the club runs a powerchair football team, and I am part of the team. It will be the first proper season after starting last October.

Wrexham started their pre-season against Nantwich Town on 16 July away at Weaver Stadium. The friendly was booked after they kindly let the club host the fourth qualifying round of FA Cup replay against Marine at the host’s (Nantwich) stadium. They won the friendly 2 - 5 with goals from Aaron Hayden, an unnamed trialist, Kai Evans, Liam McAlinden and Paul Mullin before the team set off for two games in Alicante, Spain.

In their first game in Alicante, they played CD Leganes, who plays in Segunda Divison in Spain. I think it is equivalent to Championship in England as it’s the second highest league in the country. They lost 2 - 0 to the Spanish side.

Next up is Nottingham Forest under 21s, who in Professional Development League in England. Whereas Forest’s main team plays in Premier League. The game ended as a 1-1 draw with Luke Young scoring from a penalty.

Wrexham played Premier League side Manchester United in a behind-closed-doors friendly at United’s training Carrington. They lost 4 - 1, but it was a good run out against 13 times Premier League champions. Wrexham defender Aaron Hayden scored the only goal, and he did the SIU celebration in front of Cristiano Ronaldo, who famously do the celebration after he scored a goal, he wasn’t playing in that match. I got the information of Hayden doing the celebration of the Rob Ryan Red, a Wrexham fan podcast.

Their penultimate game in pre-season was against Macclesfield at home. I went to the game, it was great to be at the Racecourse again. They won 4 - 0 with goals from Ollie Palmer, James Jones, Luke Young and Tom O’Connor. I like how the goalkeeper Mark Howard played, and he was very demanding of the home’s outfield players. You need that in a goalkeeper because they can see the whole pitch.

For their last pre-season, Wrexham travelled to Caernarfon to face Caernarfon Town. It was the first time they would face another Welsh side in pre-season, and as there’s no other Welsh side in the league, it was the only time this season league-wise. However, it was a bad day at the office for the visitors, or should I say night, as they lost 2 - 0. To make matters worse, Christian Dibble got injured when the first goal went in. Speedy recovery Dibble, if you are reading this.

To the matchday now and I go to matches with my mum and Nana. We took the bus in and out of Wrexham, we went to Turf for a drink. It’s a pub next to the stadium, and starting from this season, they have a fan zone with live entertainment and different acts each matchday before the match. Sidekicks were performing this time.

We had score predictions before the match, and even before lineups were announced, I went for 3 - 0, Mum said 2 - 1, and Nana said 1 - 0.

Wrexham lined up as this:

Howard

Forde

Hayden

Tozer

Cleworth

McFadzean

O’Connor

Jones

Mullin

Palmer

Bench:

Watson

Mendy

Davies

Lee

Dalby

Eastleigh lined up as this:

McDonnell

Camp

Langston

Martin

Panter

Harper

Cisse

Carter

Mckternan

Whitehall

Abrahams

Bench:

Hesketh

Hill

Rutherford

Willson

Yamg

If you read my old match reviews, I went in-depth on the match, but I have decided I would write my reviews or a blog as a fan and let the rest write the full report on other platforms.

It only took the visitors 14 minutes to take the lead, thanks to Langston. I thought, who needs a gold trophy because everyone knows Wrexham will win the league this season, it’s only the case of how. Gold trophy is when a team win the league unbeaten. Palmer only came in January after Mullin signed in the summer last year, so they haven’t been together for a year yet.

However, it was a summer signing (this year), Elliot Lee scoring the 2 goals to win for Wrexham after coming off the bench. What surprised me, I thought the Racecourse was packed and over 10,000 fans in the stadium. However, the official attendance was 9,897 with 82 travelling fans.

Wrexham managed to go up 7th in the league. However, it doesn’t really mean much as it was the opening game of the season. The league takes shape after one or two months as games come thick and fast in their league. They will be on road for two games against Yeovil and then Chesterfield.

I am going on the club’s accessible away travel to Chesterfield, so expect to hear from me from that game. Wrexham is back at home on 20 August when they face Maidstone. I might do two games in one review.

#football #wrexham #eastleigh #openingday #vanarama #league

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