Welcome back to the Soul of Sport. In the eighth episode of the series, KEVIN QUIGLEY was at the Racecourse Ground to see Wrexham seal their return to the Football League with a 3-1 victory over Boreham Wood.
Goals from Elliott Lee and a Paul Mullin brace ended 15-years of non-league toil for a side that has found what would have been unthinkable levels of fame for a team in the fifth tier of English football, if it was not for the work of their Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
There was significant levels of anticipation, anguish and excitement – before there were ecstatic scenes after the final whistle involving the players, staff, owners and not forgetting those in attendance.
From the build-up to the match, to the euphoria after the final whistle, this is the Soul of Sport.
Ryan Reynolds congratulates Paul Mullin (right) after his brace secured promotion back to the Football League next season
Mullin – who scored his goals in the 52nd and 71st minute of the game – celebrates in the crowd with Wrexham supporters
Ryan Reynolds can barely believe what he’s watching as he is left open-mouthed as those standing around him celebrate
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has beer poured over him in the dressing room – he has now led four teams to promotion
Ben Foster only signed for Wrexham one month ago but has made a huge impact (pictured alongside assistant Steve Parkin)
Owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds raise the Vanarama National League trophy with beaming smiles on their faces
The camera doesn’t get too drenched as Wrexham players and staff spray drinks around a beer-soaked dressing room
There was no surprise to see a pitch invasion at the Racecourse Ground, with Phil Parkinson getting a huge pat on the back
Wrexham players and staff embrace after the final whistle with Boreham Wood players eager to escape before the invasion
The jaws of Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Paul Rudd (left of the column) drop towards the ground as they watch on
Wrexham supporters were keen to get close to the heroes after the final whistle, as red smoke billows in the background
Scores of bottles lie empty on the dressing room table, with celebrations in full flow inside the stadium’s inner sanctum
Thomas O’Connor sits on a supporter’s shoulders as he looks out to a sea of jubilant Wrexham supporters on the pitch
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney (behind him) rush over to striker Ollie Palmer to congratulate him after the match
‘Foster, jersey, now!’ – Ryan Reynolds gatecrashed the goalkeeper’s interview with the media demanding his matchday shirt
Matchwinner Paul Mullin has drink poured over him by his team-mates as he receives a hero’s welcome to the changing room
The 6.30pm Saturday kick-off allowed plenty of time for supporters to enjoy a drink or two at the local pub before the match
Football fever has gripped Wrexham, with the FX documentary on the club, streamed on Disney+, helping to build their profile
Paul Mullin is a picture of concentration as he waits in the tunnel with team-mates ahead of kick-off at the Racecourse Ground
The story of Wrexham has become a huge hit in the United States thanks to the popular Welcome to Wrexham docuseries
This Wrexham supporter is sitting in front of a sign commemorating their famous 2-1 FA Cup victory over Arsenal back in 1992
There was early concern for Wrexham fans after Boreham Wood took the lead inside the first minute of the game
Supporters go through the turnstiles at the Racecourse Ground – with Saturday’s match having a total attendance of 10,126
A supporter is seen dressing up as Ryan Reynolds’ famous Deadpool character while riding a Wrexham-themed scooter
Wrexham fans made a lot of noise during the entirety of the contest as they willed their team on to finally clinch promotion
Phil Parkinson, who joined Wrexham in July 2021, gives a last minute pep-talk to his players ahead of kick-off on Saturday
Football League chasers Wrexham have paid tribute all season to the 266 men who were killed in the Gresford disaster – one of Britain’s worst coal-mining disasters – with the year of the accident ‘1934’ embroidered on the back of all jerseys
A supporter called Millie with a poster for Paul Mullin whose son Albi who was diagnosed with autism several months ago
The city has become more famous in recent years with one fan comparing it to Paris, New York and Milan on their shirt
This sticker had the face of Paul Mullin next to German philosopher Karl Marx and former Russian politician Vladimir Lenin
The pitch was in excellent condition as it was well treated after in the hours building up to the crucial game on Saturday night
Just when you think Wrexham has been visited by enough celebrities, Paul Rudd chose the best game to be in attendance
More scenes of Wrexham fans in the build-up to the game, with even bigger matches to look forward to next campaign
It was a historic night for Wrexham – a long hard season’s work rewarded by winning the title and securing promotion
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