Summary

  • Wrexham promoted to English Football League after 15-year absence

  • Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with Paul Rudd also in attendance

  • Wrexham were relegated to National League exactly 15 years ago on this day

  • Mullin scored two superb second-half goals to put Wrexham in command

  • Lee equalised after Ndlovu gave visitors shock lead inside opening minute

  1. Wrexham promoted to Football League - reactionpublished at 21:31 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    FT: Wrexham 3-1 Boreham Wood

    Promoted

    After 15 years away, Wrexham are heading back inro the Football League after they confirmed promotion with victory over Boreham Wood.

    Victory sparked stunning scenes of celebration at a club that was bought by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2021.

    McElhenney was in tears at full-time. Reynolds said he was lost for words.

    Scroll down for all of the reaction from both men, the Wrexham players, managers plus the best of the scenes of celebration.

  2. Wrexham's Hollywood owners celebratepublished at 21:28 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    FT: Wrexham 3-1 Boreham Wood

    Rob McElhenney and Ryan ReynoldsImage source, Getty Images
    Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrateImage source, Getty Images
    Rob McElhenney and Ryan ReynoldsImage source, Getty Images
  3. 'This is just the start'published at 21:26 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    FT: Wrexham 3-1 Boreham Wood

    This is Wrexham's story.

    And it is just the start...

    Media caption,

    Wrexham promotion: 'This is just the start'

  4. Find someone who looks at you like...published at 21:22 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    FT: Wrexham 3-1 Boreham Wood

    Rob McElhenney and Ryan ReynoldsImage source, Getty Images
  5. The best post-match pictures...published at 21:19 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    FT: Wrexham 3-1 Boreham Wood

    Wrexham fans celebrate at the pitchImage source, Getty Images
    Fans celebrate on the pitchImage source, Getty Images
    Wrexham celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 21:16 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Philip: Seeing the wonderful celebrations at Wrexham and the sense of community, spirit and love of the game is good too see, this is what football is about, not sadly what the Premier League is about anymore (with the odd exception). Lower-league football has a heart! Good luck to Wrexham next season.

  7. 'This club is different'published at 21:14 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    FT: Wrexham 3-1 Boreham Wood

    Foster after the final whistleImage source, Getty Images

    Ex-Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster, who joined Wrexham last month, speaking to BT Sport: "This is my seventh game right and it is like home already - this club is different. It is special."

    On regretting his move to Wrexham: "Heck no! Heck no! There’s nowhere else that I would have come to. I know how much it means to them. Seven games I've played - oh my god, they [Wrexham fans] are bonkers!"

    On Wrexham's poor start: "That's not the start you want - even then, though, I thought it was fine. When the fans get going no one can stand in our way. It was never in doubt when we got one back."

    On feeling pressure: "The lads don't feel any pressure, I don't think I've been in a team where the team go about their job so relentlessly and there is no big timers in that dressing room."

  8. 'It's the honour of my life' - McElhenneypublished at 21:10 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    FT: Wrexham 3-1 Boreham Wood

    Rob McElhanney watches on from the stand with Paull Rudd & Ryan ReynoldsImage source, Getty Images

    Rob McElhenney speaking to BT Sport after the game: "Well I think we can hear what it means to the town. It's a time of celebration and to be welcomed into their community and be welcomed to this, it is the honour of my life."

    On Paul Mullin: "I would like to say Paul Mullin is one of the greatest footballers in the world."

  9. 'This is why we chose Wrexham' - Ryan Reynoldspublished at 21:08 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    FT: Wrexham 3-1 Boreham Wood

    Wrexham's owners celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds, speaking to BT Sport: "I am not sure I can process what happened tonight. I am still a little speechless.

    "[People ask] 'Why Wrexham?'. This is why Wrexham. This happening, right now, is why.

    "Boreham Wood showed up today. They are an incredible team. They have one of the best defences in the entire league.

    "This entire story, the reason we are all on edge of our seats is because Notts County are so damn good. They deserve to go up. We are rooting for Notts County. We want to see them go up."

  10. Postpublished at 21:05 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    Stay tuned to hear from Wrexham's two Hollywood owners...

  11. Postpublished at 21:04 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    Wrexham waited 15 years for this...

    WrexhamImage source, Getty Images
  12. Postpublished at 21:02 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    Wrexham fansImage source, PA Media

    It's quite the party...

  13. Postpublished at 21:00 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    Wrexham promoted to Football League

    Rob McElhenney, with his Wrexham cap on, is right in there amongst the celebrations that are continuing in front of the fans.

    The supporters aren't going anywhere.

  14. 'Very special'published at 20:58 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    Foster in actionImage source, Getty Images

    "This club is different," says goalkeeper Foster. "That is very special."

    He was retired a few months ago before signing for Wrexham at the end of last month.

  15. Postpublished at 20:57 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    Now former Manchester United, West Brom and England goalkeeper Ben Foster hugs Ryan Reynolds in the middle of the pitch.

    That's a sentence I didn't think I'd be writing a year ago.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 20:56 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Anon: Nowhere else in the world could you find the league average attendance over 3,000 in the fifth tier! Shows just how much love the British public has for football no matter how ‘big or small’ their club!

  17. Wrexham lift National League trophypublished at 20:55 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    Wrexham lift trophyImage source, Getty Images

    Wrexham players Luke Young and Ben Tozer lift the National League trophy high above their heads!

    The champagne is sprayed and We Are the Champions is belted out over the PA system.

  18. 'I feel so emotional' - Parkinsonpublished at 20:54 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    FT: Wrexham 3-1 Boreham Wood

    Phil ParkinsonImage source, Getty Images

    Phil Parkinson speaking to BT Sport: "Amazing feeling. I feel so emotional after what the club has been through in the last 15 years. I am so proud of the performance and the fans to go down and to come back.

    "To play Notts County and to turn up on the big occasion, I'm pleased for every single one of them.

    "We know how to win games and I just thought if we keep passing it and switching it we will get chances to score."

  19. Postpublished at 20:53 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    FT: Wrexham 3-1 Boreham Wood

    First there was Hercules, then Tarzan. Disney's newest hero Paul Mullin has just been given his winner's medal.

    It's almost to lift that trophy...

  20. 'I'm so proud of the lads'published at 20:52 British Summer Time 22 April 2023

    FT: Wrexham 3-1 Boreham Wood

    More from striker Paul Mullin, speaking to BT Sport: "It [Boreham Wood's goal after 43 secods] wasn't a lapse in concentration, it just happens. It was an uphill challenge from there, but the players we have got and the chances we can create is unbelievable.

    "The pressure we have had since the Notts County game - and not just that, we have had to keep going and even at Barnet when we went down to 10 men we had to show the grit and determination.

    "I am most proud of that. We had to deal with a lot and people think ‘biggest budget, you'll win it easy’ and it’s not like that. But Notts County have been unbelievable and I'm so proud of the lads to get over the line."