Shaun Harvey says the proudest feedback he regularly hears as a result of Wrexham's success is that clubs wish they were like the Red Dragons. The former English Football League (EFL) chief executive and current Wrexham director has been pivotal in bridging the gap between Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac (formerly McElhenney) and the club's day-to-day staff since becoming involved at Stok Cae Ras. Wrexham have gained three successive promotions and remain in the hunt to secure a play-off spot in the Championship this season.
And Harvey says the trials and tribulations of his past experiences in the EFL have been vital in ensuring he has been able to play his part in the club's rapid rise from the fifth-tier National League. "All that experience is what goes into helping Wrexham on its journey and what in parts had an influence on back-to-back-to-back promotions, seeing how the club's operated and run, how it positions itself," he told the BBC's Sacked In The Morning podcast. "The proudest thing I hear now is, 'I wish our club was like Wrexham'.
Wrexham didn't exist in that format until Rob and Ryan took over. "The supporters trust before had done a brilliant job in keeping the club alive, and all that experience has come together to help try and create, alongside [manager] Phil [Parkinson], the players, a lot of other people, the story that people are looking on now and saying, 'I wish there was more Wrexhams'." Wrexham must not gift top-six spot to rivals - Parkinson Listen to Wrexham interviews, news and discussion on BBC Sounds Reynolds and Mac have been central to Wrexham's enormous growth over the past five years. The club's revenue has surged from £1.48m during 2020-21 - the season in which Reynolds and Mac completed their takeover - to £33.3m in the latest financial year.
They are also the brains behind the immensely popular Welcome To Wrexham documentary - which has played a significant role in boosting the club's profile and revenue streams. But Harvey says the duo's biggest attribute has been their willingness and eagerness to delegate responsibility to those more qualified to carry out certain tasks within the club. "They've never tried to be anything that they're not, and they've always been genuine to what they are, and that is two individuals who see themselves as custodians of the football club, who want the best for the football club and know that the best way of achieving that is by putting the right people in place to allow it to live," Harvey said.
"Rob and Ryan are the club's best cheerleaders. They are the face of the club, which takes pressure off everywhere else." Harvey says everyone else benefits from the role Reynolds and Mac have chosen to take. "The biggest beneficiaries of this whole Wrexham experience is the local community," added the 56-year-old executive.
"I've had five wonderful years there, we're still going and we're still successful. "Phil's into his fifth season as manager as well. We're all loving the experience, but the long-term benefit to the community is actually what will really signify, in the end, how successful this whole quest has been." Despite the glorious achievements during their tenure as owners to date, Harvey says there was some scepticism around the actors intentions when they first showed an interest in the club.
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