The former England and Manchester United goalkeeper was part of the squad that helped spark Wrexham’s remarkable ascent, contributing to the first of three consecutive promotions as the club escaped the National League and returned to the EFL in 2023 after a 15-year absence.
The Premier League is the next target, although those ambitions suffered a jolt at the weekend as Wrexham lost 2-0 at home to Millwall, the first time the Dragons had failed to score at home for almost a year.
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But the overall picture is what began as an unlikely takeover has since become a global sporting story, amplified by the award-winning Welcome to Wrexham documentary series.
The show has not only chronicled success on the pitch but also highlighted the bond between the club, its supporters and the wider community, introducing audiences around the world to the city and its characters.
Reynolds and McElhenney completed their surprise purchase of Wrexham on February 9, 2021 and have been regular visitors to the SToK Cae Ras ever since.
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Their ownership has drawn international attention, with a host of A-list celebrities — including Hugh Jackman, Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd and Eva Longoria — attending matches.
Supporters from countries as far apart as Australia and Argentina have also travelled to North Wales, many stopping by the now-famous Turf pub beside the ground.
Reflecting on the scale of what has been achieved, Foster said: “With Salford City, you’ve got footballers running the show who’ve done it all before.
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“They know how football clubs run, and sometimes that brings a mindset of what won’t work. Birmingham have got very wealthy owners, but Wrexham is different.
“Rob and Ryan didn’t really know what they were doing when they took over a football club. They invested money, but they also invested their own energy.
“They put their personal interest and energy into it in a way you rarely see. I genuinely think if you asked them what they’re most proud of, Wrexham would be right up there with anything they’ve done in acting or business.
“To take something you didn’t fully understand and build it into what it is today, you have to take huge pride in that. It’s amazing.”
Remarkably, McElhenney and Reynolds had never met before deciding to buy Wrexham.
McElhenney’s interest in football ownership was sparked by watching the Netflix documentary Sunderland ‘Til I Die, a series that followed the struggles of the Black Cats.
Several clubs were considered, including Aldershot, Carlisle and Hartlepool, along with potential opportunities in Ireland and Scotland, before Wrexham emerged as the clear choice.
“We wanted to buy a club that had a history and a connection to the community,” Mac said after he and Reynolds visited Wrexham for the first time.
“When we looked at clubs the list got smaller and smaller and nothing came close to Wrexham.”
At the same press conference, Reynolds — who in 2025 described his ownership spell as the “greatest four years” of his life — made no attempt to downplay the ambition driving the project.
“We’d be lying if the dream wasn’t the Premier League,” he said.
At the time, that statement was dismissed in some quarters as little more than a publicity stunt.
Five years on, it looks far less fanciful. A surge in commercial income has generated record revenues, allowing significant reinvestment both on the pitch and in club infrastructure.
In recognition of their impact, the local authority awarded McElhenney and Reynolds the Freedom of Wrexham.
Much of the on-field success has been overseen by manager Phil Parkinson, appointed within five months of the takeover after the club passed from the Wrexham Supporters Trust into Hollywood ownership.
Parkinson has guided Wrexham through three straight promotions and into contention for Championship play-off places.
Foster believes the scale and speed of that rise make it unprecedented.
“It’s ridiculous. It will never be done again. Non-league promotion, promotion, promotion, and already being in promotion places at this level is outrageous,” he said.
“I said a year or two ago I thought they’d be in the Premier League within three, four or five years.
“Getting out of the Championship is a big ask – it’s a tough, competitive league with a lot of money involved.
“But they’ve done it the right way – they’ve given the manager the power to bring in the players he wants, to understand who they are.
“There’s no reason why they can’t keep progressing, because as an achievement, it will never be replicated again.”
Ben Foster was speaking ahead of new content from CGK Studios, the content production company behind That Wrexham Podcast – a joint venture with Wrexham AFC that gives fans deeper access to the players, the club and the stories that define it. The show is co-hosted by former Wrexham AFC captain Ben Tozer and Foster, with weekly episodes available on Spotify and YouTube.
