Wrexham AFC Makes History with Third Promotion in Three Years, Secures EFL Championship Spot
Wrexham AFC has once again made history in English football, securing promotion to the EFL Championship after a 3-0 victory over Charlton Athletic on Saturday. The Welsh club has now been promoted three times in three consecutive seasons, an unprecedented achievement at this level of the English leagues.
Midfielder Oliver Rathbone opened the scoring for Wrexham in the 15th minute, followed by a pair of goals from striker Sam Smith in the 18th and 81st minutes. With the win, Wrexham secured 89 points with one game remaining, clinching a second-place finish and its third consecutive promotion.
Wrexham currently plays in League One, the third tier of English football; it will now begin play next season in the Championship, the second tier. The top two clubs in League One are promoted at the end of the season, plus the winner of a playoff between the clubs in third through sixth positions. Birmingham, which has 102 points, has already clinched the top position in the league.
Wrexham's remarkable run can be attributed in part to the ownership of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who bought the team in November 2020. The pair have chronicled the process of purchasing and overhauling the club through their popular series "Welcome to Wrexham." Since taking over, Wrexham has been promoted from League Two to League One and now to the Championship.
Despite Wrexham's resounding success over the past few years, the odds of promotion to the Premier League are relatively slim. Teams in the Championship tend to have better players, bigger stadiums, and more money, making it difficult for a smaller team like Wrexham to compete. However, Wrexham has averaged 12,757 fans per game, a number that is relevant for ticket sales and revenue as well as home environment. In contrast, Southampton, which is at the very bottom of the Premier League this season and is set to be relegated as a result, has average attendance closer to 30,000.
With that said, Wrexham has certainly overcome the odds before. If we've learned anything with this club, it's that anything is possible. The determination and passion of the players and fans have helped Wrexham make history once again, and there is no doubt that they will continue to push for success in the EFL Championship.
