Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have hit a major stumbling block in their ambitious plans to redevelop Wrexham's iconic Racecourse Ground, after the Welsh government rejected their funding application.
Stadium Redevelopment Dreams Dealt Blow
The Deadpool star and his It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia co-creator had submitted plans for a significant £25 million redevelopment of the Kop stand, which would have increased the stadium's capacity to approximately 15,600 seats. However, their vision has been dealt a serious blow with the rejection of their Levelling Up Fund application.
Welsh Government's Surprise Decision
In a surprising move, the Welsh government opted not to support the application despite the project meeting all the necessary criteria. A government spokesperson confirmed: "The Levelling Up Fund application for the Racecourse Ground has not been supported by the Welsh Government. While the project met the criteria for consideration, it was not selected to proceed to the next stage."
Club's Disappointment and Future Plans
Wrexham AFC expressed their disappointment at the decision but remains committed to finding alternative funding routes. The club had envisioned creating a "world-class" stadium that would serve both football and international rugby matches, potentially bringing significant economic benefits to the North Wales region.
The proposed development would have seen the return of four-sided stadium to the Racecourse Ground for the first time since 2008, marking a historic moment for the club and its passionate supporters.
What This Means for Wrexham's Future
Despite this setback, the Hollywood owners remain determined to push forward with their long-term vision for the club. The rejection represents a temporary obstacle rather than a complete derailment of their ambitious plans, with alternative funding options now being explored to make the Kop stand redevelopment a reality.
