Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney score first ‘own goal’ at Wrexham
The co-owners of Wrexham AFC have scored their first own goal, according to some fans.
The new management team headed by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has announced the Centenary Club at the famous Racecourse ground will only be available to Yale Stand season ticket holders next season – and they will have to pay an extra £100 for the privilege.
The news has not gone down well on social media with one fan, Riccardo, tweeting: ”1st own goal of the new regime for me.
“I get we’re in new commercial territory but pricing out regulars is poor & not sure most will pay. £300 for me & kids before I’ve even had a sup, so I’ve no choice but to go elsewhere. Also, my dad now can’t go down at h/t to warm up in winter!”
He was supported by devoted Wrexham fan, Arfon Jones, the former North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.
‘Second class’
He said: “We in the Paddock seem like second class citizens; we don’t even have the option of joining.”
@RMcElhenney @VancityReynolds the club asking fans for £100 to be able to go into the club that we’ve drunk in for decades 🤔 Not @Wrexham_AFC finest hour
— rob jones (@robwxm) July 26, 2021
Mark Butler added: “The old £1 ticket for under 11s were quietly dropped early doors too. At a stroke, 50% more expensive for an adult with two kids to go. But people really have no right to complain – it was always going to be like that and they couldn’t get on it quick enough.”
The announcement from the club said: “The Centenary Club will be open to Yale Stand ticket holders only for the 2021/22 season, with entry only available to passholders.
“When purchasing their season ticket, Yale Stand season ticket holder will be given the chance to purchase a Centenary Club season pass for £100, guaranteeing your place at the bar for less than £5 a game.
“These are limited in number, and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis – please follow the instructions above when renewing your season ticket and then add the Centenary Club season pass to your basket before checking out.”
‘Difficulty’
In the meantime, the club has apologised to the “small number of fans” who have experienced difficulty purchasing their season tickets through Ticketmaster.
The club said the problem was “due to circumstances out of our control, because of the service provided by our third-party operator.”
The statement added: “We are working to resolve these problems and ensure they are rectified as soon as possible.
“In the meantime, you can still renew your season ticket by visiting the Racecourse Ground during normal operation hours. Seats will be held until August 3, 2021 at 5pm.”
Chief executive Fleur Robinson added: “I want to thank our fans for their patience and understanding during this issue.
“We are delighted that many hundreds have successfully purchased tickets already and we apologise for the small number experiencing difficulties.
“We will be contacting those people individually and sorting out their issues as soon as we can.
“Thanks again for your tremendous support and we are glad so many people want to join us on what we are sure will be an exciting 2021-22 season.”
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With new aspirations, change is inevitable. Wrexham cannot charge the same and do the same things and expect progress. These two are either shrewd businessmen or employ shrewd businessmen. Wrexham are getting players signing from two leagues above. That signals intent. So at the risk of presenting a false dichotomy the two main choices are:
Or did people think Reynolds and MacIlhenny were going to pay for everything themselves out of that there movie money?
It was only a matter of time before the moaning, blaming and complaining started.
I
Precisely. I doubt this is even down to R&R, this is almost certainly from Fleur which is fine because that’s her job. Rob said early doors that their long term plan was to make Wrexham independently successful, that requires cash flow through the club, not out of their pockets. I understand why some fans are disappointed by this and perhaps £100 out of the gate is a bit steep considering the regular and most loyal fans are working class men and women (that’s not a jibe, just a fact). So perhaps a better year on year increase with a lower… Read more »
Just buy a ticket and support the team.
Wrexham has precious little else.