Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney brutally told ‘stay in England’ after shock plan to have Wrexham playing in Europe
WREXHAM’S hopes of playing in Europe have met with an icy response.
Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have funded two straight promotions, helped by Disney+ show Welcome to Wrexham.
And a U-turn could be looming on Welsh clubs who compete in the English Football League from qualifying for European competitions.
Talks are ongoing over allowing Championship clubs Cardiff City and Swansea City, plus Wrexham and Newport County, to enter the Welsh League Cup, with a place in Europe the likely prize for the winners.
The last Welsh EFL club to qualify was Swansea back in 2013, thanks to winning the EFL Cup.
At the moment, Wales’ “big four” clubs can only make Europe via success in the Premier League, FA Cup or EFL Cup.
But the Cymru Premier’s all-time record scorer has led criticisms of plans to give them a possible “in”.
Marc Lloyd Williams, 51, who hit 319 goals in 467 Welsh League games, told BBC Radio Wales: “The four clubs made the decision to play in England, so stay in England.
“Don’t try and take those European spots off the Cymru Premier teams. It is their bread and butter, week in, week out.
“Swansea, Cardiff, Wrexham and Newport are in the Football League and the FA Cup and EFL Cup.
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“They have got a chance to play Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal with a home tie and get big crowds in.
“Just because TNS have qualified for Europe, it doesn’t necessarily mean that Cardiff or Swansea or Wrexham or Newport would.
“For me, you can’t be having your cake and eating it. They have made their decision and I would be against them coming in.”
Unsurprisingly Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has the opposite view.
He said: “To have that opportunity to get into Europe again for the club would be amazing. Hopefully that comes to fruition.”
The Dragons qualifying for Europe would further boost a following growing worldwide, especially in the USA, courtesy of their co-owners – “Deadpool” star Reynolds and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” actor McElhenney.
Saturday’s 4-1 home win over Northampton left Wrexham second behind Birmingham in League One – dreaming of a third promotion in a row.
And it appears L1 rivals might have mixed views on the Dragons receiving a much bigger opportunity of getting into Europe.
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony told his The Hard Truth podcast: “Wow. I guess it’s a two-sided answer.
“One would be no, because they’re in the EFL, but two would be… if I were them, I would want to.
“Financial rewards are massive. When I looked at buying Irish clubs recently, one Irish club made millions from being in Europe, from getting through and qualifying to the group stage. The prize money is colossal.”