Wrexham AFC owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds smiled and waved at adoring football fans as the club embarked on its victory tour through the city today.
Thousands of fans from across the globe lined the streets of Wrexham in celebration of the football club winning the National League with a record total of 111 points and being promoted to the fourth division of English football.
The celebrity owners will then reportedly jet the team off to Las Vegas as a reward for winning the league.
Reynolds and McElhenney were at the Racecourse Ground to join in on the wild celebrations when promotion was clinched with a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood last month.
Wrexham said today’s parade was also to celebrate the achievements of their women’s team, who achieved promotion to Adran Premier, the highest level of league competition for the women’s game in Wales.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrate with the Wrexham football club during the victory parade today
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are seen celebrating on top of the victory bus today
Wrexham players react to the thousands of fans that have lined the route during the open-top bus victory parade
An aerial view of open-top busses carrying Wrexham players passing the Racecourse Ground, home of the club, during the victory parade today
Wrexham players celebrate winning the National League with a record total of 111 points during the victory parade today
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney celebrates and cheers on the bus during the victory parade today
Wrexham players cheer and show off their trophy to the thousands of fans that have lined the route during their open-top bus victory parade today
A young Wrexham fan is tossed into the air in celebration during the victory parade today
Wrexham Co-Owners, Ryan Reynolds (centre) and Rob McElhenney (left) are pictured during a victory parade in Wrexham, Wales today
Wrexham went head-to-head with their rivals Notts County last month and all but won the league after beating Luke Williams’ side 3-2 thanks to Ben Foster’s heroics in goal.
The Welsh club went on to secure their promotion with a win over Boreham Wood on Saturday – leaving owners Reynolds and McElhenney in tears.
To celebrate their achievement, the actors arranged a victory parade – which got underway at 6.15pm and saw the players head through the city for an hour before finishing up at the Racecourse Ground.
Thousands of fans lined the streets to catch a glimpse of Phil Parkinson’s men and the club’s Hollywood owners. It is believed some fans even travelled from New Zealand and the USA for the occasion.
Reynolds and Rob Mcelhenney were spotted waving to the crowd while sitting on the women’s team bus as they celebrated their promotion into the Genero Adran Premier.
Queen’s iconic song ‘We are the Champions’ was heard blaring out of the speaker on the bus as they made their way along the 3.5-mile route. While supporters let off red flares to create an even greater atmosphere for the parade.
Fans wait as the Wrexham victory bus advances through the crowds during a victory parade in Wrexham this evening
Wrexham fans wave a championship banner as they cheer from the roadside during the Wrexham FC open-top bus victory parade
Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrate on the bus with a beer during the victory parade
Jordan Tunnicliffe of Wrexham lifts the Vanarama National League Trophy during the Wrexham FC Bus Parade this evening
Wrexham players celebrate in front of fans outside the The Turf Hotel during the victory parade today
A Wrexham fan raises his beer in celebration of the team’s promotion to the EFL League Two after a 15 year absence, following a 3–1 win against Boreham Wood
Fans said today that what Reynolds and McElhenney have done for their club ‘means everything’ as they celebrated promotion to the English Football League
Fans said today that what Reynolds and McElhenney have done for their club ‘means everything’ as they celebrated promotion to the English Football League.
There were jubilant scenes in the Welsh city as the team returned for an open top bus parade, which the Hollywood stars attended.
Long-time supporter Jason Jones said that the work of the two ‘big names’ was ‘surreal’.
‘Fifteen years of non-league football that at times has been really depressing, it’s been dreadful,’ he said. ‘But the two big names came in, they bought us and this is what they’ve done … it’s surreal, to be honest.
‘It’s a once-in-a-lifetime (thing) – for A-list celebrities to come in and do this. It just wouldn’t work with anybody else, would it?
‘When these guys came in we knew something special was going to happen, and it has.’
A Wrexham fan dressed as comic strip character Deadpool cheers during the Wrexham AFC victory parade. Deadpool is portrayed in the Marvel film by club co-owner Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds (centre) celebrates the promotion to the Football League with members of the Wrexham team
Wrexham football players wave to fans during the parade today
Rob McElhenney, (second from right) celebrates during a victory parade in Wrexham
An aerial view of the Wrexham open top bus parade celebrating the club’s promotion to the fourth division of English football
Fans flood the streets as the open top victory parade rolls through Wrexham today
Thousands of fans have lined the streets of Wrexham today in celebration of the football club winning the National League with a record total of 111 points
The Welsh soccer team is marking its promotion to the fourth division of English soccer with an open top bus parade through the city today
Fans flood the streets of Wrexham, Wales today before the victory parade kicks off
Ahead of the parade, Wrexham AFC CEO Fleur Robinson said: ‘It’s been a huge effort by everybody, on the pitch and off it, and this is a great opportunity for us to thank the community of Wrexham for their incredible support.
‘We are looking forward to commemorating a truly memorable and record-breaking season together.’
Wrexham Council’s lead member for economy and regeneration, Cllr Nigel Williams said: ‘I’m sure that people will be out in large numbers to show their support for both successful Wrexham champion teams, it will be a fantastic momentous occasion for Wrexham.
‘I would encourage everyone attending to spread themselves out along the entire route to get a good view of the parade.’
Wrexham fans watch the open top bus parade today to celebrate the North Wales football club winning the National League with a record total of 111 points
Ryan Reynolds smiles and waves at Wrexham fans as the victory parade rolls through
Football fans pose with a sign reading ‘Wrexham is the name’ ahead of today’s victory parade
A dog is seen wearing a flag before the Wrexham AFC victory parade today
Wrexham fans flooded the streets as they waited for the parade to start. Wrexham AFC, which was down on its luck before the takeover by Reynolds and McElhenney, has now earned global interest
The documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ was streamed around the world and has made household names of players. Pictured: Wrexham fan Riley Edwards waves a scarf ahead of the victory parade today
A Wrexham fan displays a banner before the victory parade today
The club, which was down on its luck before the takeover by Reynolds and McElhenney, has gone on to earn global interest.
The documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ was streamed around the world and has made household names of players like Paul Mullin and manager Phil Parkinson.
The club also attracted the attention of American tourists in Wales, with celebrities such as Will Ferrell and Hugh Jackman also turning up at games to show their support.
But the drama on the field has demanded attention, with Wrexham involved in some thrilling matches on the way to promotion, including a 3-2 win over closest rival Notts County last month.
Promotion ends the club’s 15-year absence from the English Football League.
Wrexham has announced it will play the LA Galaxy II at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 22 as part of a summer tour in the United States. Games against Premier League teams Manchester United and Chelsea have also been scheduled.