As streaming services continue to gain momentum, football clubs worldwide have increasingly opened their doors to documentary crews, offering unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to training grounds and candid dressing room moments. However, not all of these productions have hit the mark, with some being criticized as superficial endeavors.
Enter "Welcome to Wrexham," a documentary that has redefined the sports documentary landscape under the guidance of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The series has demonstrated how a production can successfully blend professional sports with personal narratives while delivering both sporting achievements and financial success.
McElhenney, speaking to The Athletic, addressed the challenges of creating meaningful content alongside Reynolds, noting their ongoing nervousness despite their acting backgrounds. "You can turn on Disney, Hulu or Netflix and find hundreds, if not thousands, of documentaries on sports," he explained. "Some are really engaging, but some are terrible and boring and seem as if it was a money grab instead of actually trying to tell a story."
The authenticity of the production stands as its cornerstone, with both owners embracing vulnerability in front of the cameras. "It's really hard to have a camera shoved in your face all the time or to wear a microphone," McElhenney admitted. "People think that since you're an actor, it must be easy. It really isn't. It's terrifying for us and for the players."
McElhenney emphasized the importance of maintaining authenticity in the editing process, even when it means showing less flattering moments. "There are plenty of times I'm sitting in an editing room and when I rewatch some footage, I sometimes look petulant or not like the kind of person that I would want to put out into the world," he revealed. "I realise if I don't put that in the show, then people will smell that out. They will see this is inauthentic, that I'm creating some sort of propaganda piece."
The documentary has chronicled an extraordinary journey in North Wales, following Reynolds and McElhenney's remarkable 2021 takeover of Wrexham AFC. Their involvement has already yielded impressive results, with the club achieving consecutive promotions as they pursue their ambitious goal of reaching the Premier League. The pair has since expanded their sporting interests to include teams in Mexico and Colombia, further demonstrating their commitment to football ownership beyond just entertainment value.
