Wrexham chief identifies one problem that could derail Ryan Reynolds’ promotion dream

Wrexham are on the cusp of a possible third successive promotion, but director Humphrey Ker has highlighted a problem which has impacted players’ performances this season

Wrexham director Humphrey Ker has identified a key issue which would derail the club’s dream of promotion to the Championship. The Welsh side, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are on the cusp of an impressive third successive promotion.

Phil Parkinson’s team are currently second in League One heading into the final two games of the season, two points ahead of rivals Wycombe Wanderers in third and four ahead of Charlton Athletic. Wrexham and Charlton are due to face each other at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday in what could prove to be a decisive match in the race for automatic promotion.

Despite the Red Dragons’ astonishing achievements in the last few years, club director Humphrey Ker has highlighted the occasionally negative atmosphere at home games this season. With expectations among the fanbase now sky-high, results like the 1-1 draw with lowly Bristol Rovers earlier this month have been greeted with frustration from some supporters.

Ker believes it has had a knock-on effect on players’ performances and has urged fans to get behind their team against Charlton. It follows a pep talk from McElhenney ahead of Wrexham’s tie against Blackpool on Monday being credited for helping the team on their way to a 2-1 victory.

“The mood in Wrexham is fantastic but actually, that has not been the case recently,” Ker said during an interview on the Men in Blazers podcast. “There’s been a real kind of air of fear around the place.

“At our last home game, we drew 1-1 with Bristol Rovers, a game that we were expected to win. There was just this tentativeness, this fear and this groaning and the moaning in the stands. There was flinching and sharp intakes of breath every time we played the ball backwards and I think it affected the players on the pitch.

“Everybody was suddenly very nervous, and we got together on Sunday at the stadium, with the players and the coaches, and Rob was in attendance as well. We talked about enjoying it, about having fun and getting back what has been missing for us around Wrexham, in the town, in the stands on the pitch, because no one was enjoying it.”

Wrexham are in a strong position to secure third tier’s second automatic promotion spot, with Birmingham City’s status as champions already confirmed. But Ker insists it would not be a disaster, even if the club was to lose its advantage and fail to go up.

He said: “Everybody was so tied up in the idea of what if we don’t do it. We had this conversation and said, ‘Well, what if we don’t, who cares?’ It doesn’t matter and what matters is enjoying it. I think we saw that on Monday against Blackpool, the players were really enjoying themselves and the fans were enjoying themselves in the stands.”

Ker added: “We are not home and hosed by any stretch of the imagination and if we were not to get promoted this season, it would not be the end of the world by any stretch of the imagination, despite the very good position we find ourselves in with two games left.”

The actor and writer has also taken to X to encourage fans to get on board after Parkinson called for supporters to “get the ground bouncing” against Charlton. Ker wrote: “You have your instructions, Reds. No fear, no hedging your bets and avoiding getting excited in case you get disappointed. Get behind this man and his team and they will deliver for you as they have over and over and over again.”

Wrexham’s promotion could be confirmed on Saturday if they beat Charlton and Wycombe drop points against Leyton Orient. If results don’t go their way, then Reynolds and McElhenney could be left with a nail-biting wait until the final day of the season to learn their club’s fate.

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