Wrexham's Hollywood fairy tale continues with record 'three-peat'

WREXHAM, Wales — Wrexham earned promotion for a record third straight season with a 3-0 home win over Charlton Athletic in League One on Saturday, the latest chapter in a stunning rise under the ownership of Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Sam Smith struck twice after Ollie Rathbone opened the scoring to send the Red Dragons up to the second tier EFL Championship next season in front of a jubilant crowd that included Reynolds, McElhenney and club legend Mickey Thomas.

It is the first team ever to enjoy three successive promotions in the top five tiers of English soccer, and returns to the second tier of the country's soccer pyramid for the first time since its relegation from the old second division in 1982.

Phil Parkinson's side, which hails from North Wales, clinched second place with 89 points and one game remaining in the season. Birmingham City, which tops the League One table with 102 points, had already sealed promotion as champion two weeks ago.

"When the big games come and you produce one of your best performances — we did it last week at Blackpool (5-1 win) and backed it up today with a really strong performance — that makes me very proud," a beer-drenched Parkinson told Sky Sports.

"I just want to savor it. Everyone's talked about the history, it can never be taken away from this group of players and the staff."

Wrexham dominated from the start, and Rathbone put the Reds ahead in the 15th minute when James McClean worked a short corner to the midfielder, who fired home from the edge of the box.

The home fans were still celebrating when Smith doubled the lead with a spectacular strike three minutes later.

Matty James chipped a long pass over Charlton's backline that Smith volleyed in with his left foot.

Smith completed his brace in the 81st minute, when he latched onto Max Cleworth's cross and fired just over the head of Charlton keeper Will Mannion.

"Two goals, promoted, job done," said Smith.

"It's been an incredible few months and I signed for times like this. There's been a real calmness in the group since we have been here."

The final whistle sparked mayhem, as — in what is quickly becoming a tradition at the Stok Cae Ras stadium — thousands of fans poured onto the pitch.

Banners proclaiming "back to back to back" were raised, as were grinning players, who were hoisted on fans' shoulders amid clouds of red smoke, while Parkinson cracked his first smile of the game.

"What a feeling, it's incredible," Wrexham forward Steven Fletcher said. "For this club to go back to back to back is amazing and something special, it gets better each time.

"We want to go again. It's a big ask, but we'll reset and the sky is the limit with this club."

As the Wrexham faithful were in dreamland, Saturday turned into a nightmare for some of their compatriots in South Wales, as Championship side Cardiff City found itself being leapfrogged by the newly promoted Red Dragons.

The Bluebirds' relegation to the third tier was finally confirmed following a limp 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion, putting Cardiff firmly in last place with a game left to play.

Agencies