A lifelong Wrexham supporter who has provided match commentary for the club for nearly four decades has revealed his dramatic change of heart regarding the Hollywood takeover that transformed the Welsh football team. Mark Griffiths, whose voice features prominently in the acclaimed Welcome to Wrexham documentary series, initially opposed the acquisition by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac when it was announced in 2021.
From Scepticism to Support
Griffiths explained that his reservations stemmed from painful experiences during the 2010s when Wrexham came dangerously close to folding under previous private ownership. Speaking on talkSPORT, the former teacher admitted: "I wasn't just sceptical about the takeover, I was dead set against it to be honest. I'd seen us nearly go out of business twice in the 2010s and call me unambitious, but I liked the security of the supporters trust running the club."
He elaborated on his initial concerns, stating: "When I heard who it was, I thought, 'Okay, they're going to take a hell of a lot of reputational damage if it goes badly.' I didn't like the idea of the trust selling up to anybody."
The Turning Point Conversation
The pivotal moment came when Griffiths received personal contact from Rob Mac, star of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. This direct communication fundamentally altered his perception of the Hollywood owners' intentions and commitment.
"When I actually looked into what they were like, and was fortunate enough that Rob got in touch with me, I sort of realised, 'Oh, hang on a second. We've absolutely hit the jackpot here,'" Griffiths revealed. "They are so genuine and the impact on Wrexham as a place is jaw dropping."
Transformational Impact on Club and Community
Since the takeover, Wrexham has achieved remarkable success on the pitch, securing three consecutive promotions that have propelled them to sixth place in the Championship following their dramatic last-minute victory over QPR. Griffiths' commentary on that thrilling comeback became an internet sensation, highlighting the renewed excitement surrounding the club.
Beyond footballing achievements, Griffiths emphasised the profound economic and social transformation in Wrexham itself: "The whole place is different on a very basic level and it's busier. On the high street, an awful lot of it was shuttered up. Now, all of those empty shop fronts and the temporary shops are full of actual businesses."
Economic Revival and Tourism Boom
The documentary series has sparked an unprecedented tourism surge, with Griffiths noting: "We get an astounding amount of international visitors. They started off just coming to pop in for an afternoon out of curiosity when they're already in Britain. It's now got to the point where people are coming here to Wrexham for a fortnight."
Local entrepreneurs who previously considered Wrexham too risky for business ventures have now established successful enterprises, creating a more diverse and vibrant high street beyond standard chain stores. Griffiths concluded: "I've yet to come across anyone who hasn't really enjoyed themselves in Wrexham and the warm welcome they see on the TV show is exactly what they get."
