Wrexham AFC defender Ben Tozer has revealed that the club and the town are still feeling the effects of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's dramatic takeover more than two years on. The 33-year-old admitted that interest in the club "is still there" with the team now plying its trade in League Two.
Tozer, who signed for Wrexham on a three-year deal from Cheltenham Town in 2021, was one of the first marquee signings when the Hollywood duo took control of the club. And the former Newcastle United and Northampton Town player has since reflected on life at the club after a whirlwind season, which saw the team finally gain promotion from the National League after 15 years.
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During a recent appearance on talkSPORT, Tozer was asked by pundit Ally McCoist if Wrexham are still feeling the effects of being thrust into the limelight, and if fans are still interested in the club's progress. "Well, if you think of where it [the interest in the club] was last season it was probably still ridiculously high with all the emotion and everything that happened," he said.
"So naturally you're not going to be able to keep it at that level, but the interest is still there. There are still a lot of American fans outside the ground daily – after training, before training, It’s all still pretty much there but it’s never going to be kept to those levels [when the owners arrived and delivered promotion back to the Football League].”
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Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)The Wrexham captain went on to reveal the difficulties the club face now they are in League Two following their promotion. Wrexham won the National League last season after a dominating season which saw the Red Dragons end the campaign with a league record 111 points, but now face a new challenge.
“I’ve been in the league before and there is a lot more quality that comes off the bench, there is a bit more tactical nous," Tozer added. "The players are a lot fitter in this league, so last year we were blowing teams away with 10-15 minutes to go. The crowds are bigger. It’s an all round better league and we are enjoying it.”
Welcome to Wrexham is back to take you behind the scenes at the Welsh club following the superstar takeover by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. New and returning customers in the UK can now subscribe to Disney+ for £1.99/month for three months.
Tozer was also asked what fans can expect from the next few episodes of the 'Welcome to Wrexham' docuseries that charts the club's progress under their famous owners. "I don't know how many episodes are left, but of course you'll see the finale of everything and what happened at the end of last season," he said.
"But I think it's been a good overall showing of the club and the community, and everything going on around the club. So far it's been quite subdued but it's about to pick up and kick off really."
Wrexham have enjoyed a successful first season back in League Two, with the club currently sat third in the league table. The team are narrowly behind league leaders Stockport and Notts County, who they face next on Saturday, October 28 at Meadow Lane.
