Wrexham AFC's ownership group, led by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has officially confirmed the purchase of The Turf pub from Admiral Taverns. The deal secures vital boundary land for the club's stadium transformation, enabling the long-awaited construction of a new 7,750-seat Kop stand at the Racecourse Ground.
Strategic Land Purchase
Expanding the Racecourse Ground requires total control of the tight footprint along Mold Road. By bringing The Turf directly under Wrexham Holdings, the owners have secured the perimeter needed to revamp matchday access, expand the outdoor fan zone, and manage thousands of extra fans once capacity surpasses 18,000.
The purchase turns a tight bottleneck into a modern matchday hub and could also assist in revamping the Mold Road Stand. The club confirmed the move is a direct continuation of its strategy to "protect the future of the club and its interests by ring fencing key areas related to the life of the club."
Preserving History and Charm
The Turf is the birthplace of Wrexham AFC, where founding members met in 1864, and players used it as a changing room as recently as the 1940s. Landlord Wayne Jones, who has run the pub for 20 years and became an international celebrity via the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, is staying behind the bar.
Jones said: "As landlord of The Turf for the past 20 years and a die-hard Wrexham fan, securing the pub's future under Wrexham Holdings is great news for all Wrexham fans." He added: "I look forward to continue running The Turf and bringing its unique mix of history, atmosphere and sometimes Hollywood stardust to the next generation of Wrexham fans and locals alike."
Broader Investment Strategy
This purchase follows previous investments by Reynolds and McElhenney, including buying the Racecourse freehold, acquiring The Rock stadium for the women's team, and funding new training facilities at Colliers Park. Minority investor Eric Allyn said: "By bringing The Turf into the group, we are securing the long-term future of the pub and with it preserving its history and that of the club."
From hosting crisis meetings when the club faced extinction in 2011 to hosting Prince William, Will Ferrell, and Channing Tatum, The Turf has seen it all. With the birthplace of the club under the same roof as the stadium, the owners have solved their Kop space crunch and ensured Wrexham's soul stays intact as they march up the football pyramid.
