Wrexham: Beyond the Hollywood story, what is the club building?

This brings us to arguably the most important part of Wrexham’s long-term strategy: the academy.

The men’s first team may currently dominate the narrative, but academies determine whether clubs can sustain success.

Promotions can accelerate growth, but sustainable clubs create pathways that go beyond individual owners, managers or players.

Wrexham’s reputation for identifying and nurturing talent from the greater North Wales area goes back decades, with players such as Joey Jones, Mickey Thomas and, more recently, Max Clayworth, playing the most minutes of any Wrexham player this season.

Over the years Wrexham’s youth infrastructure struggled due to financial instability and the club’s relegation out of the Football League, meaning they missed out on signing local talent.

Wales internationals Harry Wilson and Neko Williams can be seen as prime examples of players who could be captured by Wrexham’s youth system.

The pair, both born in Wrexham, had to go through the Liverpool academy instead and have since forged careers in the Premier League.

Wrexham’s return to the EFL in 2023 has changed the prospects for the club’s academy structure. They restructured it under the Elite Player Performance Plan system, securing three-category status and widening the scope for younger age groups from under-nines to under-21s.

In addition, Wrexham Women have been granted a Football Association of Wales (FAW) National Girls’ Academy licence, meaning the club will be supported by the FAW to run women’s football.

Gus Williams was appointed academy manager in October. He was particularly impressed by the owners’ commitment to youth development.

“Rob and Ryan view the academy with high regard and high expectations for what it can deliver for the club,” Williams said.

“The investment they have already made in the academy is between £2-3m in terms of infrastructure, and the further investment now demonstrates the sincerity of the statement they have made about the academy.

“It’s our responsibility now to make sure we acknowledge the past, we appreciate the present and we plan for the future.”

The club plans to commit to the next generation with a multi-million-pound investment in an academy training facility built in partnership with Darland High School that includes new pitches and improved learning spaces.