- By Chris Wathan
- BBC Sport Wales
Image source, Rex Features
Wrexham could claim successive promotions for the first time
Hollywood has always loved a good sequel.
And, true to form, the club owned by red carpet stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are close to wrapping up promotion: part two.
Having jumped from the National League last season, Wrexham could seal a place in League One this weekend.
Victory over bottom side Forest Green – if results elsewhere work out – would earn the first back-to-back promotions in the club’s 159-year history.
It is an impressive feat, but not totally uncommon.
Since the start of direct promotion from non-league, some 10 sides have managed to achieve the jump from fifth to third tier in the space of two years, Tranmere Rovers the last to do so five years ago.
Of course, none had the profile of Wrexham, who are now forever followed by camera crews and celebrities et al.
It is uncertain whether either Reynolds or McElhenney will be jetting in this weekend.
After all, Phil Parkinson’s side need both Barrow and MK Dons to drop points in order to return to the third tier for the first time in two decades this week.
That is why Parkinson’s number two Parkin and the players were doing their best on Tuesday to contain excitement.
“It’s difficult to ban people talking about it or not mention it,” said Parkin. “But in the dressing room, they know how hard it was last year, they know what it takes to get promoted.”
‘Hard to block out noise’
“Sometimes it’s hard to block out the noise with what people are saying, how many points you need and all that,” Barnett admitted having scored the opener against Crawley.
“But we’re a group that’s extremely experienced in high-pressure games and high-pressure moments.
“We block all that out and focus on how many points we can get as a team and no matter what everyone else is doing.
“It can be tough with a lot going on around the club but you can only focus on what’s going on out on the pitch – and we know if we win our games we get promoted.”
Second in the table and assured of a play-off place at least, Wrexham need a maximum of five points from their remaining three games for a top-three finish, regardless of how others fare.
Two of those games, starting with Forest Green on Saturday, are at the Racecourse, with Wrexham boasting the best home record in the division.
They have taken 48 points and scored 54 goals in 21 games at home, and have lost just four regular league fixtures in three years.
A trip to play-off chasing Crewe before the visit of current leaders Stockport are the final two fixtures, with supporters both eager to get the job done before any unnecessary final-game drama.
Or, as Reynolds posted on social media after last weekend, there is “life-threatening tension and gut-wrenching suspense as we come to the close of another bonkers season”.
With the third series of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary scheduled to premiere in the US less than a week after the end of the season, the finale is yet to be filmed.
Wrexham’s intent, though, is to stick to the script that has earned them this chance of repeat celebrations.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
