'Farewell to Wrexham' - a ruthless success story

Strikers Ollie Palmer and Paul Mullin scored 46 goals and 110 goals respectively for Wrexham under the ownership of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds

Ange Postecoglou boldly stated that "season three is better than season two" in the immediate aftermath of Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League final triumph over Manchester United in May.

But the Australian boss later joked that TV shows "sometimes kill off the main character" before departing the north London club only 16 days after tasting glory in Bilbao.

With Wrexham continuing to grab headlines following a drastic squad overhaul during the summer transfer window, another clutch of Welcome to Wrexham stars have been 'killed off', so to speak. An exit stage left for Paul Mullin. A final scene for Ollie Palmer.

The Disney+ documentary has turned several of the north Wales club's players into icons on a global stage, with many of their personal stories being shared during the course of the show's four seasons to date.

But it has also shone a spotlight - and will continue to do so in future episodes - on those who are later deemed surplus to requirements as Phil Parkinson continues to evolve his side to cope with the latest step up of their astonishing rise up the football pyramid.

And while there may be gushing goodbyes on social media from the club's celebrity co-owners, it's still been ruthless.

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All stories told

From addressing emotive issues to telling the story of the local community or promoting the Welsh language, the documentary has provided an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at all things Wrexham in recent years.

The club's disability liaison officer Kerry Evans, supporter and The Turf pub owner Wayne Jones and fan Shaun Winter are among those who feature prominently to give their insight into past and present matters at the club.

Viewers also got to see how the club engaged with die-hard fan Millie Tipping, who is autistic, and how she watches home matches from a designated quiet zone at the Championship side's Stok Cae Ras stadium.

In season four, the story of club director Humphrey Ker's journey to raising more than £125,000 for the Wrexham Miners Project by running the Manchester marathon was covered.

From a football and results perspective, the general feeling from those at Wrexham to the seemingly relentless unimaginative "stick that in your documentary" jibe from rival fans now seems to be, "don't worry, we will".

But it has been tales of players themselves that have often resonated with supporters, and in turn given some celebrity-like status.

Striker Paul Mullin (R) joined Wrexham from Cambridge United in the summer of 2021

Stars in the making

Mullin - Wrexham's seventh-highest scorer of all time with 110 goals - unsurprisingly became the headline act due to his prowess up front and went on to have his own book, My Wrexham Story, published in November 2023.

Both during and away from the documentary, the 30-year-old has regularly spoken in glowing terms about his relationship with Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

During season two, he opened up on his son Albi's autism diagnosis and the impact it has on daily life.

In the very first season of the show, midfielder Jordan Davies and his partner Kelsey Edwards discussed the heartbreaking loss of their baby Arthur during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Defender Aaron Hayden also starred in a segment where he spoke about the mental support given by his family and the need to spend quality time with his loved ones when not training or playing matches.

It has all ensured members of the squad have continually become household names around the world by sharing their own stories.

But having played roles, to varying amounts, in the remarkable Wrexham journey to date, the sheer upturn in levels on an annual basis has meant many are moved on as new stars are brought in.

Ollie Palmer (R) scored two goals in added time on his final Wrexham appearance against Hull City in August

Even the big guns are at risk

The full list of players to leave Wrexham under the ownership of Reynolds and McElhenney is as follows:

2021 - Mark Carrington, Bobby Grant, Jay Harris, James Horsfield, Fiacre Kelleher, Paul Rutherford and Theo Vassell.

2022 - Tyler French, Dior Angus, Cameron Green, Dan Jarvis, Devonte Redmond, Kwame Thomas, Jordan Ponticelli and Christian Dibble.

2023 - Jake Hyde, Reece Hall-Johnson, Harry Lennon, Ben Foster, Bryce Hosannah and Liam McAlinden.

2024 - Aaron Hayden, Rob Lainton, Callum McFadzean, Ben Tozer, Jordan Tunnicliffe, Luke Young, Anthony Forde and James Jones.

2025 - Sam Dalby, Mark Howard, Steven Fletcher, Jordan Davies, Will Boyle, Luke Bolton, Jack Marriott, Paul Mullin (loan), Jake Bickerstaff (loan), Mo Faal (loan), Seb Revan (loan), Tom O'Connor (loan), Jacob Mendy (loan) and Eoghan O'Connell.

(List includes players who made at least 10 appearances for Wrexham)

On the back of gaining promotion from League One, Wrexham recruited 13 players to ensure they could compete in the second tier Championship.

That of course has led to a number of exits, including those of high-profile forwards Mullin and Palmer.

Both frontmen were phased out in the second half of the 2024-25 season and, during the summer, moved on to pastures new - with Mullin joining Wigan Athletic on loan while Palmer secured a switch to fourth tier Swindon Town.

In the same window, the likes of Jack Marriott, Will Boyle, Jordan Davies, Sam Dalby, Mark Howard and Steven Fletcher were let go in a bid to make space for the raft of fresh arrivals.

Slightly further back, players such as Ben Foster, Ben Tozer, James Jones, Luke Young, Anthony Forde and Jordan Tunnicliffe were shipped out after playing their part in the club's success.

And more recently, defender Eoghan O'Connell - one of just 10 players to feature in all three of the club's promotions - parted company with the club by mutual consent.

Often dubbed by rivals as 'Disney FC', Wrexham could look like something of a merciless machine to outsiders.

And while there has been a required element of ruthlessness - which manager Parkinson and other key decision makers never shy away from - to the club's operating methods during the course of its surge up from the fifth tier National League, Wrexham have not forgotten those who played their part.

Moved on, but not forgotten

Steven Fletcher - the man who netted eight times in each of his two campaigns at Wrexham - was embraced by McElhenney and Reynolds when the Hollywood pair attended the club's first home Championship fixture of the 2025-26 season against West Bromwich Albion last month.

Writing on social media following the Scottish forward's exit, Reynolds said: "Mr @stevenfletcher9official: words aren't agile enough to capture what you've brought to Wrexham, the sport, and the lives of myself and this whole town. You aren't a PART of greatness. You ARE greatness."

Given the many strong relationships built between the ownership and the club's squad and staff, such messages have been a regular theme over the past four years.

On Mullin's loan departure, Deadpool actor Reynolds shared images of himself with the frontman in addition to Mullin's Wrexham goal compilation accompanied by the message: "I can't imagine seeing Mulls on loan and in another kit.

"We wouldn't be where we are without his heart, skill and work ethic. We love you, @PMullin7. SPM (Super Paul Mullin)."

Reynolds described Palmer's move away from the club as a "gut punch" in addition to mentioning the "forever-memories" he made with the 33-year-old and his family.

"Ollie is a big reason we're in this league today. Not to mention the boundless charisma and charm… he harnessed a lifetime of talent, heart and work-ethic to push @wrexham_afc and the town forward," Reynolds said.

So while the vicious cycle of 'killing off' characters remains ongoing, as evidenced this past summer more than ever, the club have done their all to ensure it's less 'thanks, who's next?', but more 'Farewell to Wrexham'.