Wrexham's Premier League Push Could Define Football's Era, Says Club Director

Shaun Harvey believes Wrexham reaching the Premier League this season would be the greatest sports story ever. Wrexham stand one match away from the Championship play-offs and a possible fourth straight promotion, a run that began in non-league and now has global attention on the club’s next step.

Since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed their takeover in November 2020, Wrexham have climbed from the National League into the Championship. The club’s progress has attracted a worldwide audience, and Harvey highlighted its appeal by saying: "There’s no script, just a story to tell. As it happens, it’s authentic, and that’s what makes Wrexham so relatable to many others who care to dream."

Heading into the final round, Wrexham occupy the last Championship play-off position on goal difference ahead of Hull City. Derby County are only one point behind in eighth. Wrexham meet Middlesbrough, who are chasing automatic promotion, and must better Hull City’s result to guarantee a place in the play-offs.

Harvey underlined what is at stake during SportsPro London, stressing the chance of a fourth consecutive promotion since the Reynolds and McElhenney takeover. "If we do make it to the playoffs on Saturday afternoon, we have the chance of going back-to-back-to-back-to-back promotions," Harvey said at SportsPro London. "If we achieve that, as others have said, and I agree, it would be the greatest sports story ever."

Harvey stressed that Wrexham’s year should already be seen as historic for both men’s and women’s teams. "Because whatever happens, we’ve gone from being a non-league team to the best team in Wales by virtue of league position. We’ve finished in our highest league position ever, and the women’s team have won the league and will compete in the Champions League."

Pressure around the Middlesbrough fixture is intense, and Harvey did not downplay the tension. "The time is now. We’ve got one game to go of the league season," Harvey said. "To use Alex Ferguson's favourite phrase, it definitely is squeaky bum time. Will we make it, or won’t we make it? Well, there’s a story to be written either way."

Wrexham arrive at the final day in strong finishing form, having won their last match in each of their previous four Football League seasons, their longest sequence. The Opta supercomputer makes Wrexham slight favourites for this game, giving Wrexham victory in 40.3% of pre-match simulations, though Harvey insisted that the campaign cannot be judged only on play-off qualification.

Harvey explained that the narrative should stay positive whatever the play-off outcome. "In all circumstances, our season should be viewed as ‘we nearly made it’, rather than ‘we just missed out’. And whilst that’s a subtle difference, the reality is we have no right to actually achieve what we have done so far this season."

Supporters have backed the team across the campaign, including away from the STK Cae Ras, and will again on the decisive weekend.

Whatever the result against Middlesbrough, Wrexham already hold a place among the leading Welsh clubs by league position. The possibility of four straight promotions and a first Premier League appearance, combined with a league-winning women’s side entering the Champions League, secures this season’s significance for the club’s modern history.