Party time for Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney! How Wrexham secured historic back-to-back promotion to League One

Wrexham managing to secure a spot in League One is made even more impressive when you consider the bitter blow handed to them just before the season kicked-off. In their penultimate pre-season friendly against Manchester United, a collision with goalkeeper Nathan Bishop left star man Paul Mullin with a punctured lung.

The gnarly knock meant Mullin missed his side's first six games of the season - and even when he did return, he took some time to get up to speed, netting just four times in his first 11 League Two appearances of the campaign. It was a far cry from the incredible goal-scoring exploits fans had got used to in his first two seasons at the club.

Fortunately, a new attacking hero emerged in the form of Elliot Lee. Last season, the former West Ham man always felt like the junior partner in his on-field relationship with Mullin. But in the early weeks of this campaign, when Wrexham's principal goal-getter was still working his way up to match sharpness, Lee was the main man.

By the middle of September, he had already chipped in with seven goals and two assists, combining his always stellar midfield work with increased attacking responsibility. Lee hasn't been the only one to step up when Mullin wasn't firing on all cylinders, either.

Wily veteran Steven Fletcher, picked up on a free transfer in the summer, has been one of the most efficient attacking forces in all of League Two. Featuring mainly from the bench, he netted crucial goals in cagey victories over Notts County and Salford, while also being heavily involved in his side's offensive play. In fact, Opta's measure of Attack Contribution puts him in second place in League Two, behind only Mansfield's star man Davis Keillor-Dunn.

Ollie Palmer has continued to play an important role, too, helping get the very best out of whoever he has been fielded alongside upfront with his selflessness.

But while Mullin has had plenty of supporting cast members helping him out, he's still on to comfortably finish as his side's top scorer this season. It's not just the quantity of goals either, but the timing of him hitting form, too.

Down the stretch this season, Mullin has been sublime. Following a seven-game scoreless streak - during which he spent some very rare time on the bench - the ex-Cambridge United star earned his side a point in a 1-1 draw with Forest Green at the end of February.

This was followed by a scintillating hat-trick against Accrington Stanley and a goal and assist in a victory over former side Morecambe. Match-winning displays against Grimsby, Mansfield, Colchester and Crawley have also come in the final weeks of the season.

So while Mullin hasn't had it all his own way this campaign, when the stakes were at the highest, he has carried his side over the line. No wonder McElhenney and Reynolds are such massive fans of the Englishman.

The club's Hollywood owners will also be encouraged by Parkinson's side's prolificacy from dead-ball situations this season. The Wrexham boss has always made sure that his team makes the most of these opportunities, with Ben Tozer's long throw-in causing the National League all sorts of bother last year.

But even with Tozer missing a portion of the season through injury, the Red Dragons efficiency in these scenarios has continued. Only two League Two teams - Stockport and Walsall - have scored more from set-pieces this campaign.

Plenty of players have caused issues in the opposing box this season, with Will Boyle leading the pack with his four goals. Luke Young, Mullin, George Evans and James McClean also deserve credit for their superb deliveries, which have given Wrexham a real edge in tight games this season.

Generally, Wrexham have been pretty difficult to play against this season, too. There have been exceptions to this rule, of course, with Parkinson's side shipping five against MK Dons, Stockport and Swindon, but as the season's progressed, clear improvement has been made in this regard.

As well as becoming more solid, Wrexham have also become more efficient when they win the ball high up the pitch. Although their high turnover stats are unremarkable compared to the rest of League Two, only one side - Mansfield - have registered more shot-ending high turnovers this season. And only two teams have scored more goals - Notts County and MK Dons - when winning the ball in the opponent's defensive third.

However, it's clear Wrexham's defensive record would be nowhere near as impressive if not for their inspirational goalkeeper, Arthur Okonkwo. Signed on loan from Arsenal on transfer deadline day, his arrival was necessitated by the shock retirement of last season's first-choice Foster after just a handful of games.

Okonkwo had to be patient at first, with veteran shot-stopper Mark Howard initially replacing Foster between the sticks. But after impressing in an EFL Trophy victory over Newcastle Under-21s, Okonkwo started against Crewe Alexandra and has not relinquished his grip on the number-one jersey since.

Commanding of his area, an excellent shot-stopper and comfortable in possession, he stands a good chance of being named in the League Two Team of the Year now promotion has been confirmed, with only Crawley's Corey Addai preventing more expected goals (xG) in the division this season.

Wrexham will be desperate to sign the young Gunner permanently this summer, though judging by his performances this season, they are likely to face some pretty stiff competition.

What might convince Okonkwo to sign on the dotted line is the incredible atmosphere that continues to surround Wrexham. Right from the first whistle, the Red Dragons have been roared onto victory both home and away by the best set of fans in the division.

Unsurprisingly, the average attendance at Wrexham's away games this season have been the highest in the division. When the Red Dragons come to town, the ground is full. It's as simple as that. Getting tickets to the SToK Racecourse has been nigh on impossible for some time, too.

It's clear that this feverish atmosphere in north Wales and on the road has helped get Wrexham over the line on a number of occasions. This was perhaps no better illustrated than in the third round of the FA Cup at Shrewsbury Town. This was a game packed full of significance, as it saw Wrexham return to the sight of their infamous relegation 15 years prior. But backed by a packed out away end, the Red Dragons secured a fantastic 1-0 victory.

"First of all, it was a day for our supporters today – I said that to the lads after the game, it’s a day they deserved,” Parkinson said at full-time. "Obviously 15 years ago, when we lost our league status, we lost a game here against Shrewsbury that was very damaging and it’s great for our supporters to go home happy today – not just the ones who are here, but the ones watching on TV."

Comments like this only helped to strengthen the bond between this special team and their supporters, and Wrexham fans will be hoping that the good times keep on rolling next season.

No side has ever secured three successive promotions to the Championship, but if any team are capable of bucking the trend, it's Wrexham. Who knows? Momentum is huge in football, and with another big transfer window expected, the club might quietly be aiming to secure a second-tier return for the first time since 1982.