Wrexham AFC Receives £18m in Welsh Government Grants Despite Hollywood Ownership
Wrexham AFC, the historic Welsh football club now under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has benefitted from a surprising source of financial support: nearly £18 million in nonrepayable grants from the Welsh government. This substantial influx of public funding has sparked discussions around the relationship between taxpayers, government bodies, and privately owned sports enterprises—even those backed by wealthy celebrities.
The Hollywood Effect and Welsh Government Grants for Wrexham AFC
Since the high-profile takeover in 2021 by Reynolds, star of the Deadpool film series, and McElhenney, known for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Wrexham AFC has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the English football leagues. The duo’s involvement has not only raised the club’s profile internationally but attracted significant commercial sponsorships from global giants like Meta, United Airlines, and TikTok, rivals to what many Premier League clubs secure.
However, hidden behind the glamour of Hollywood backing is the fact that the club has been supported significantly by public funds through nearly £18 million in Welsh government grants administered via the local council. This amount, disclosed in UK government state aid records, exceeds aid allocated to any other football club in Britain, raising questions about the use of public money and the balance of benefits between private owners and the local community.
How Welsh Government Grants Are Being Used
The financial support to Wrexham AFC primarily comes through a broader £25 million Welsh government grant aimed at redeveloping the area around the Wrexham General train station, adjacent to the club’s home ground, the Racecourse Stadium. While the local council had previously stated the funding would be divided across various community projects, it has now emerged that a substantial portion of that money is directly assigned to the club.
According to a Wrexham AFC spokesperson, the grants will fund essential upgrades to the stadium, including a new Kop stand, which aims to elevate the facility to an international sporting venue. The club’s representatives stress that these improvements will bolster the local economy by attracting international sports events, creating jobs, and increasing visitor spending—benefits extending beyond football fans to the wider region.
The Debate: Public Money and Private Ownership
The intersection between public funding and a sports club owned by billionaires has generated debate among experts and the wider public. Stefan Borson, a football finance authority from law firm McCarthy Denning, characterized the £18 million grant as a “nonrepayable subsidy to a privately owned business” which boasts a valuation reportedly nearing £350 million. He highlights that the owners, although wealthy US-based entrepreneurs, receive significant public investment without any obligation to repay or share profits with the taxpayers.
This scenario raises important questions about the accountability of public spending and whether state aid should prioritize privately owned entities already enjoying commercial success. Supporters argue that the government grant helps revitalize the local area, provides community value, and fosters economic uplift through increased tourism and job creation. Critics contend that such subsidies should be reserved for financially struggling clubs or grassroots initiatives rather than enriching already affluent owners.
The Role of “Welcome to Wrexham” and Media Exposure
Adding to the club’s high-profile image is the Disney-produced documentary series Welcome to Wrexham, which chronicles the owners’ “fairytale” takeover and has attracted millions of viewers globally. Notably, while the football club does not directly earn revenue from the show, other businesses owned by Reynolds and McElhenney stand to gain from production-related deals and the boost in the club’s global appeal.
This media exposure has undoubtedly helped Wrexham secure premium sponsorships and unlocked commercial opportunities previously unimaginable for a club at this level. These developments highlight how celebrity involvement can act as a transformative force in sports, blending entertainment, commerce, and community.
Looking Ahead: Impact on Wrexham and Its Community
With substantial government funding and Hollywood star power, Wrexham AFC is positioned to become a beacon for sports and economic vitality in North Wales. The planned stadium enhancements aim to attract international matches, enhancing regional tourism and community engagement. However, transparency and measured use of public resources remain crucial to ensure that the benefits reach beyond the club’s owners to the local population.
In summary, the intersection of Welsh government grants and the celebrity-backed ownership of Wrexham AFC presents both opportunities and challenges. As the club continues its rise through the football ranks and global consciousness, balancing private wealth, public investment, and community benefit will be essential to securing a sustainable and inclusive future for football in Wrexham.## Wrexham AFC Receives £18m in Welsh Government Grants Despite Hollywood Ownership
Wrexham AFC, a football club currently owned by Hollywood movie stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has received nearly £18 million in nonrepayable grants from the Welsh government. This substantial financial support has come despite the club’s backing by two wealthy and internationally renowned figures, sparking conversations about the use of public money in football. The funding, primarily aimed at improving the club’s stadium and surrounding infrastructure, raises important questions about public investment, private ownership, and the club’s meteoric rise through the English football leagues.
Welsh Government Grants Fuel Wrexham AFC’s Ambitions
The £18 million in grants, disclosed through UK government state aid records, significantly surpasses any equivalent funding provided to other football clubs across Britain. The money was channeled to Wrexham AFC through the local Wrexham County Borough Council as part of a £25 million Welsh government regeneration grant. This grant was intended to redevelop the area around the Wrexham General train station, located adjacent to the club’s historic Racecourse Ground stadium.
Although the council had initially confirmed the club would receive a “substantial amount” of the local grant, it had not publicly detailed that most of the funds would directly support the football club itself. These improvements are set to include the construction of a new Kop stand and other facility upgrades aimed at elevating the stadium to an international standard.
Hollywood Stars Drive Global Attention, But Taxpayers Foot the Bill
Since Reynolds and McElhenney completed their takeover of Wrexham AFC in 2021, the club’s fortunes have transformed dramatically. Ryan Reynolds, well known for his starring role and production work on the billion-dollar Deadpool franchise, and Rob McElhenney, celebrated for the hit comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, have put Wrexham firmly on the global map. The club even became the subject of the Disney-produced documentary series Welcome to Wrexham, which reportedly attracted up to five million viewers per episode.
While the football club itself does not appear to receive direct revenue from the documentary, related companies owned by Reynolds and McElhenney have reportedly gained lucrative production deals. Beyond media exposure, their stewardship has also led to prestigious sponsorships from global giants like Facebook owner Meta, United Airlines, and TikTok — brands typically associated with top-tier Premier League teams.
Expert Views on Public Funding and Private Ownership
The involvement of deep-pocketed Hollywood owners has raised eyebrows in financial and sports circles, particularly regarding the public money invested into the club. Stefan Borson, a football finance specialist and head of sport at law firm McCarthy Denning, described the £18 million as “a nonrepayable subsidy to a privately owned business now flirting with a £350 million valuation.”
