Wrexham: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney join victory parade

Hollywood actors and co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have joined Wrexham's footballers on their open-top bus parade.

Thousands of fans took to the streets to celebrate Wrexham winning the National League and promotion back to the English Football League.

The supporters celebrated the club's return to the EFL after a 15-year absence.

Amongst them were fans from New Zealand and the USA.

• Coverage of the parade

Wrexham's women's team, Ryan Reynolds, and Rob McElhenney looked as though they thoroughly enjoyed the parade

Fans applauded the teams as they made their way through the city centre

Throughout the day, crowds gathered on Wrexham's Town Hill awaiting a glimpse of the buses, which left from the club's Racecourse ground.

In total, there were three buses, and on board were Wrexham's men's side, women's side, who clinched promotion to the Genero Adran Premier by winning their play-off final, plus the Hollywood owners.

They left at about 18:15 BST, with the sides delayed as they made their way through the city because of sheer numbers of people wanting to show their support.

Children sat on shoulders to get a glimpse of their favourite Wrexham players as they went past

The streets through the city centre were lined with red shirts, as the sounds of horns became louder when the buses approached.

Amelie, 11, has never seen her beloved club in the football league as she was born after their relegation in 2008 and cannot wait until next season.

Amelie attended the parade with her 64-year-old grandfather Brian Williamson

"It's so good to get the chance to see Wrexham in the league," she said.

"My grandad has told me stories about Wrexham in the league and now I'm so glad I'll be able to experience that for myself."

• Wrexham victory parade from above

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Jessica Crowe outside the Wynnstay Arms with dad Lee, mum Rachael, boyfriend James, brother Connor, Auntie Katie and cousins Amelie, six, and Louis, three

Veterinary nurse Jessica Crowe, 20, has followed Wrexham through thick and thin.

"It's been a crazy few years but the owners haven't just reinvigorated the club, but the community," she said.

"It's given the town a huge buzz - and that's benefitting every part of the community and makes people want to come and enjoy Wrexham. It's brought everyone together."

One Wrexham fan showed his support by dressing up as Ryan Reynold's superhero character Deadpool

Chloe, 27, has supported Wrexham all her life, and attended the parade with her seven-year-old daughter Evie.

"This season has brought a lot of goodness to the town. It's brilliant seeing so many people and the benefits it's bringing our community and Wrexham is incredible," she said.

Ryan Reynolds was on the bus with the Wrexham womens' team

Evie added: "I'm very excited to be here today because we get to see all the players. Mullin is my favourite player and I'm really excited to see him and I like Ben Foster."

Becki and Sonny Hendricks from Virginia, USA, both became fans after watching the Disney+ documentary that features the rise of the club, called Welcome to Wrexham.

They visited for the first time to watch Wrexham last month, and bought tickets for their second trip as soon as Wrexham secured promotion.

Becki and Sonny Hendricks said they have made friends in Wrexham want to visit every year

"We love it here. We want to celebrate with the awesome people of Wrexham," said Becki.

Sonny added: "We've made new friends, and hope they are lifelong friends and this will be an annual trip. It's a great underdog story and the town is so quaint and welcoming."

Rob McElhenney sported his now famous Wrexham AFC cap on the parade

Joel and Laura Wallan, from Christchurch, New Zealand, added the trip to their UK holiday after watching Welcome to Wrexham.

"It seems like they've always had strong support, but after some adversity years ago and mismanagement, they deserve to be in the football league," said Joel.

Francs Dotolo has lived in Wrexham for 22 years, but is originally from Montreal in Canada.

"It's so busy here," she said.

Francs Dotolo described how busy the parade was

"I've even seen media crew from my home town in Canada it's crazy, what an occasion."

Paul Mullin, Wrexham's top scorer last season, was amongst the players celebrating

The club's owners have also said there is "seriousness" to their offer to Wales football superstar Gareth Bale to come out of retirement and join the club next season.

Speaking to S4C, McElhenney - best known for his role in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - said: "I think there's seriousness from our side, but I don't know that there's seriousness from his. I think he's happy."

Wrexham sealed their return to the Football League

McElhenney said media reports about them losing £3m since taking over the club did not "take into account so many different things".

He added: "We don't respond to it because we know what the truth is, which is that the club is certainly on its way to becoming sustainable and that's what our goal is".

'Our goal is the Premier League'

Reynolds said: "Ultimately like any business you want it to self-perpetuate and continue growing. You don't want to lose money but I don't think either of us are in this to make money either.

"So it's just about growing the best possible club and finding value in any place we can, whether that's financial or emotional: sometimes that's indistinguishable."

Asked if they still hoped to reach the Premier League, they said it was "100%" possible.

The scenes as fans gathered to greet the buses outside The Racecourse ground

Reynolds said: "Of course our goal is to get to the Premier League - why wouldn't it be, if we can do that. Whether it takes five years, whether it takes 20 years, that's the goal, that's the mission

Wrexham did persuade former Manchester United and England goalkeeper Ben Foster to come out of retirement, resuming his career in March and helping the north Wales club to promotion.

Fans took the opportunity to thank manager Phil Parkinson

"I didn't think Ben Foster would be coming over and he did," McElhenney told USA-based journalist Maxine Hughes, who has appeared in funny videos with the Wrexham owners, translating them into Welsh.

Reynolds said he cannot stop watching the highlights of the title-clinching 3-1 win over Boreham Wood, describing it as "sort of an addiction", and that he is "emotionally connected" to every player in the club.

Since the takeover the club has gained fans around the world, including celebrity names such as Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd, thanks to the owners' star power and the success of Welcome to Wrexham.