Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney take significant step towards academy dream as Wrexham agree deal to build new training facility

The agreement will see Wrexham build five pitches at Darland High School that can be used by the club's youth teams from ages nine to 18, the League One team confirmed in a statement. Their announcement added that the new complex will include "changing rooms, toilets, offices, analysis rooms, medical rooms, a gym, kitchen, meeting rooms and a classroom."

Wrexham submitted an application to receive Category Three academy status ahead of the 2024-25 season, which is still pending. The Red Dragons are hoping the upgrade to their academy's status from Category Four is granted to keep them on track to achieving their ambition of "nurturing some of the fantastic footballing talent in North Wales and the surrounding areas", as CEO Michael Williamson put it.

The club's academy manager, Andy Lowe, said via Wrexham's website: “I am delighted to finally see the Academy facility project with Darland High School come to fruition. This is a significant milestone for our Academy at Wrexham AFC and is the accumulation of eight months of extremely hard work behind the scenes by numerous people.

“From my first meeting with head teacher Joanne Lee back in November 2023 to discuss the potential of Darland High as an academy training facility, it was evident we had a shared vision for the development of young people, both on and off the field, which will be vitally important to the success of the partnership moving forward.

“Darland High is in a fantastic location within the Wrexham area and allows us the opportunity to grow as an EFL licensed academy. The development of home-grown players is integral to the long-term sustainability of any football club and the announcement of this facility is a step in the right direction in ensuring we continue to develop Wrexham AFC players of the future.

"The Club were awarded an EFL Category Four license in July 2023 with a strategy to establish a safe to operate and compliant academy – highlighted by a very successful audit – and to endeavour to find a long-term training facility.

“In 12 months, we have achieved both and all involved should be extremely proud of their efforts. The Darland facility now provides us with a fantastic opportunity to support of our ongoing Category Three application and aspirations of becoming an EFL Category Three-Two Academy.

“Finally, it is extremely pleasing to see the significant investment the club are committing to this project, which will have a lasting impact on young people in the academy, school and local community for many years to come.”

While the North Wales team await an audit and decision on their academy status, the senior team will soon embark on a tour of the United States and Canada before they begin their League One campaign, having gained promotion to the third tier last season.