Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster has stated that part-owner Ryan Reynolds referred to him as a “double handsome scumbag” after his 97th-minute penalty save on Monday, which put the club on the verge of re-entering court. EFL for the first time in 15 years.
Wrexham has become a global phenomenon since Reynolds and his colleague Rob McElhenney launched their takeover in late 2020. The Disney+ series Welcome to Wrexham has even turned several people connected to the club into international celebrities.
But Wrexham, one of the most storied clubs in the entire English soccer pyramid, hasn’t played in the EFL since 2008, nearly ceased to exist in 2011 due to financial problems and posted its lowest league result in 150 years just a few months before. the acquisition process began.
The 3-2 win over Notts County was the last major hurdle in making the club’s promotion dream come true.
Wrexham narrowly missed out on a National League play-off place in 2020/21. They were then beaten for the title and the only automatic promotion place by Stockport County in 2021/22, before being knocked out of that season’s play-offs at the semi-final stage.
Nearing the end of 2022/23, Wrexham went into Monday’s game at racecourse level on 100 points with Notts County. No other team has remotely followed the pair’s pace this season, but only one is guaranteed a place in League Two next season and whoever won would be firmly in the driving seat to finish in first place as champions.
Notts County took the lead, but Wrexham hit back to go 2–1 ahead. There was another equalizing goal, before Elliot Lee scored what would eventually be the winner. But not until Foster, who was discovered by Manchester United during his first spell at Wrexham 18 years ago, saved the last penalty to preserve the 3-2 lead and put the club three points ahead with one game to go.
Foster, who developed a second career as a YouTube and social media personality, had been out of football for 10 months since leaving Watford last summer and his recent arrival as additional goal cover was criticized by some as something of a stunt. of public relations.
Preserving Wrexham’s in what will probably go down as one of the most important in the club’s modern history was the perfect way to silence the doubters. What’s more, the co-owners, who had made the trip from the United States, were beside themselves.
Hollywood couldn’t write a better script ✨
The most anticipated game of @VanaramaNL story like @Wrexham_AFC they faced Notts County in a title decider.
???? #Unfiltered capture the moment @BenFosterPenalty save in the 97th minute sent @VancityReynolds and @RMcElhenney wild. pic.twitter.com/K4WB4nANWh
— Football at BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 11, 2023
“Rob kissed me full on the lips and Ryan called me a double handsome bastard. I’ll stick with that,” Foster revealed. “They are very pleased, if you could ask for an absolute best in class, best in line owner bob on then you would just pack them two because they are as good as it gets.
“It means a lot to them, they care a lot, they do it right. I’ve been here for three weeks and it runs so professionally you wouldn’t believe it. It’s ridiculous how they handle it, so it’s only fair to them that they deserve it all.”
The scenes at the Hippodrome on Monday, as well as the events of the entire 2022/23 season, will be covered in the second series of Welcome to Wrexham.
