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Wrexham’s fairytale story of recent years is nearing a crucial step in the final weeks of the 2022/23 season as they stand on the brink of promotion back into the English Football League (EFL).
The 2021 buyout catapulted the club to global attention as Hollywood megastars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney decided to make a bold investment in the Welsh minnows.
Reynolds and McElhenney have caused a wave of excitement around both the club and the town, as Wrexham fans look to end years of misery in the National League (5th division), following a major cash injection from the duo.
Fans at the famous Racecourse Ground have dreams of ascending up the tiers of English football. The Premier League is the top flight (1st division), while Wrexham currently play in the National League (5th division) among many semi-professional teams.
Managed by Phil Parkinson, Wrexham are strongly placed to win the National League title (5th division) and secure automatic promotion this season to EFL League Two (4th division), barring a late collapse.
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League tiers in England
Wrexham currently play in the 5th tier of English football, hoping to earn promotion to the 4th division.
Division
League Name
Total
Clubs
Clubs
Promoted
Clubs
Relegated
1st
Premier League
20
N/A
3
2nd
Championship
24
3
3
3rd
EFL League One
24
3
4
4th
EFL League Two
24
4
2
5th
National League
24
2
4
How are Wrexham doing in the league?
Wrexham are in pole position to win the National League in 2022/23 and secure automatic promotion to EFL League Two.
Not only are they in first place by three points, but they also have a game in hand on second-place Notts County. The duo are also set to face off on April 10 in a match that could seal the title and promotion for Wrexham.
Only the top team earns automatic promotion to the 4th tier (EFL League Two). The other promoted team will emerge from the playoffs between the clubs that finish in 2nd-7th place.
*Standings correct as of April 1, 2023
Club
Points
Games Played
Goals Scored
Goal Difference
Promotion Status
1.
Wrexham
100
40
105
+69
Automatic promotion to EFL League Two
2.
Notts County
97
41
103
+67
Qualification for National League playoff semifinals
3.
Woking
72
40
65
+24
Qualification for National League playoff semifinals
4.
Chesterfield
71
39
67
+23
Qualification for National League playoff quarterfinals
5.
Barnet
67
39
72
+10
Qualification for National League playoff quarterfinals
6.
Boreham Wood
65
40
48
+15
Qualification for National League playoff quarterfinals
7.
Eastleigh
64
40
48
+5
Qualification for National League playoff quarterfinals
When will Wrexham get promoted?
Heading into the final six games of the campaign, only Notts County can beat Wrexham in the promotion race, as only the National League champion (first place team) is automatically promoted to EFL League Two (4th division).
Wrexham and Notts County meet on April 10 in Wrexham and that result will likely tip the title balance in one direction or the other.
If Wrexham win their game in hand, and also beat Notts County at home on that day, they will take a nine-point advantage into the final four matches, and could be crowned champions on April 15 after their away game at Barnet.
2022/23 National League – Wrexham’s fixtures
Round
Opponent
Date
Home/
Away
Result
40
Oldham Athletic
April 1, 2023
Home
5-1 W
41
Halifax Town
April 7, 2023
Away
42
Notts County
April 10, 2023
Home
43
Barnet
April 15, 2023
Away
44
Yeovil Town
April 18, 2023
Home
45
Boreham Wood
April 22, 2023
Home
46
Torquay United
April 29, 2023
Away
REPORT | Wrexham AFC 5-1 Oldham Athletic
Paul Mullin’s hat-trick sends us back to the top of the National League, hitting the 100 point mark in the process!
Read more 👇
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) April 1, 2023
Have Wrexham ever played in the Premier League?
Unsurprisingly, Wrexham have never played in the Premier League — the top tier of English football — since the league’s inception in 1992/93.
The highest tier Wrexham have ever reached was the 2nd tier back in 1978. They spent three seasons there before dropping down to the 3rd tier and never breaking past that ceiling since.
However, other fellow Welsh sides have played in the top-tier Premier League with Swansea City playing in the top-flight for seven seasons between 2011 and 2018, and Cardiff City enjoying two single season stays, in 2013/14 and 2018/19.
Last time Wrexham were promoted
The buzz around Wrexham’s potential promotion is justified in the minds of their embattled fans, after spending the last 15 seasons in the 5th tier National League (previously called “Conference National”).
The Robins dropped out of EFL League Two (4th tier) down to the 5th tier at the end of the 2007/08 season after finishing rock bottom of 24 teams.
The last time Wrexham tasted promotion of any kind and moved up a division was 2003, when they moved from the 4th tier to the 3rd tier of English football.
Wrexham’s League Promotions
Season
From
To
1961/62
4th tier
(‘Fourth Division’)
3rd tier
(‘Third Division’)
1969/70
4th tier
(‘Fourth Division’)
3rd tier
(‘Third Division’)
1977/78
3rd tier
(‘Third Division’)
2nd tier
(‘Second Division’)
1992/93
4th tier
(‘League Division Three)
3rd tier
(‘League Division Two’)
2002/03
4th tier
(‘Football League Third Division’)
3rd tier
(‘Football League Second Division’)
Source: Sporting News | Read More