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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Reynolds and McElhenney a hit at Wrexham</li><li>Salford's Class of '92 owners seeking new investment</li><li>Finance guru issues warning to prospective owners</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Why Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's success story at Wrexham will be difficult to replicate as football finance expert sounds 'deep pockets' warning to prospective celebrity owners

While the Red Dragons have gone from strength to strength under their Hollywood owners, League Two rivals Salford City <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/david-beckham-gary-neville-investment-class-of-92-salford-city-ryan-reynolds-wrexham/blt75ade673f0023da4#cs6e7d0753d6b140a4" target="_blank">announced on Monday they were on the lookout for new investment "opportunities"</a>. The club co-owned by the famed Manchester United Class of '92 side, including David Beckham, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/gary-neville-sir-jim-ratcliffe-man-utd-decision-erik-ten-hag-future/blt9705fb73124e9381" target="_blank">Gary Neville</a> and others, announced on Monday their desire to bring in "strategic partners" going forward. Financial expert Dr Rob Wilson claims this move may serve as a warning to future investors in the game, particularly regarding the difficulties in generating funds.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The finance guru, who is also a professor of economics at Sheffield Business school, told <a href="https://www.luckyblock.com/en" target="_blank">Lucky Block</a>: "I think it [Salford's move] really shows the challenges in the financial landscape of owning a professional sport enterprise and particularly one that operates in the UK football system. It demonstrates that some deep pockets are still required, notwithstanding the financial regulations that are in place by the EFL or indeed the EPL, that those external investments are important for infrastructure and really for building solid foundations for the teams to progress. It also demonstrates that you don’t do quick fixes very often in football."And while the Wrexham story, the Salford City story, and one or two others showcase what can be achieved at times, in order to generate long-term sustainable sporting organisations it needs lots of careful and incremental progression to make sure that you don’t rise too high too quickly and then fall quite hard. I think this is perhaps eye-opening for any investor that looks to associate themselves with professional team sports generally, and football more specifically. And showcases the importance of having a decent amount of liquidity to put in with your investment so that you can have a significant impact on the sporting success of the organisations you choose to be involved in."

WHAT WILSON SAID

At Salford, Neville stepped down from his role as CEO back in 2022, with ex-Red Devils midfielder Nicky Butt taking over the reigns. Under the Class of '92 ownership Salford have achieved four promotions in nine years, while also expanding their stadium by almost double its capacity.Wrexham's is arguably even more of a success story, though. Reynolds and McElhenney secured <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wrexham-promotion-celebrations-best-party-highlights-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-paul-rudd/blt6997d1955a91284d" target="_blank">promotion to the Football League</a> after two-and-a-half seasons and continue to make significant efforts <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-donate-10-000-disabled-four-year-old-wrexham-fan-family-blown-away-kind-gesture-hollywood-superstars/blt542a3cccac08594a#:~:text=04%2D08%3A00-,Ryan%20Reynolds%20%26%20Rob%20McElhenney%20donate%20%C2%A310%2C000%20to%20disabled%20four,kind%20gesture%20from%20Hollywood%20superstars&amp;text=Ryan%20Reynolds%20and%20Rob%20McElhenney,his%20family%20%E2%80%9Cblown%20away%E2%80%9D." target="_blank">in the community</a> as well as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-wrexham-sponsor-united-airlines-new-2023-24-home-shirt/blte97314bb67912590" target="_blank">for the club</a>. They too recently expanded their stadium capacity by the introduction of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/rob-mcelhenney-wrexham-new-kop-stand-racecourse-partnership-fourth-wall-whiskey/bltdc001b5407d99687" target="_blank">a new Kop stand</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The League Two duo are both in action on Tuesday evening. Salford host Colchester as they look to lift themselves off 19th spot, while Wrexham travel to Forest Green in an attempt to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wrexham-promotion-blow-lose-gillingham-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-league-two/blt0ef94dcaf48b8e0f" target="_blank">shake off their terrible form of late</a> and cement a promotion charge for the second time in as many seasons. Phil Parkinson's side have slipped to fourth after 34 games, four points behind leaders Mansfield.

WHAT NEXT FOR SALFORD & WREXHAM?

Why Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's success story at Wrexham will be difficult to replicate as football finance expert sounds 'deep pockets' warning to prospective celebrity owners | Goal.com

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney&apos;s efforts at Wrexham will be hard to replicate for other investors without &quot;deep pockets&quot;, says a finance guru.

Why Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney&apos;s success story at Wrexham will be difficult to replicate as football finance expert sounds &apos;deep pockets&apos; warning to prospective celebrity owners

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