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☆ ‘Peasants vs. Marie Antoinette’: What the Premier League does with its billions of dollars is riling 72 other soccer clubs
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

DisparityThanks to its multi-billion-dollar TV deals, the Premier League is often celebrated as a UK Inc. success story. Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty ImagesBy targeting talents from lower-league academies, Premier League clubs don’t have to pay inflated transfer fees. The mooted introduction of an independent regulator comes against the backdrop of some Premier League clubs falling foul of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Earlier this month, Everton were handed a further two-point deduction for allegedly breaching Premier League financial rules. Relegated from the Premier League in 2023, Leicester denies any wrongdoing and opened legal proceedings against the Premier League and the EFL, but could face a points deduction if found guilty.

Persons: Abu, –, Kieran Maguire, Marie Antoinette ”, Marie Antoinette, – James McConnell –, Gabriele Biancheri, James McConnell, Bobby Clark, Andrew Powell, Caroline Dinenage, Maguire, Richard Masters, ” Maguire, ”, “, ” Masters, Phil Noble, we’ve, It’s, Mike Egerton, they’ve Organizations: CNN —, Manchester City, League, Reading FC –, Reading, English Football League, CNN, British, Premier League, Inc, Sunderland, Manchester United, Cardiff City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Liverpool FC, Getty, Premier League clubs, Culture , Media, Sport Committee, Premier League clubs “, Premier League’s, ” CNN, The Times, European Super League, National League, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City –, Reuters, Nottingham, “ Premier League, Leicester City, Leicester Locations: Istanbul, Manchester, Abu Dhabi, France, Europe, England’s, Britain's

☆ Charlie Hughes: Wigan center-back nets late, late winner to make soccer history
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Reuters —England under-20 international Charlie Hughes gave new meaning to the phrase ‘late winner’ when he scored after 20 minutes of second-half stoppage time to earn Wigan Athletic a 1-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers in England’s third tier on Tuesday. The unusually long period of stoppage time at the end of the League One match came about because of an injury to referee Adam Herczeg after a fall early in the second half. The England under-20 international caught the ball on the volley to score the latest goal recorded in a match in the long history of the English Football League (EFL) to win the game. The victory moved Wigan into the top half of League One standings, sitting 11th with 34 points. Wycombe is 17th on 30 points, four above the relegation zone.

Persons: Charlie Hughes, ’, Adam Herczeg, Steven Rushton, Herczeg, Callum McManaman, Hughes Organizations: Reuters, Wigan Athletic, Wycombe Wanderers, League, English Football League, Wigan, Wycombe Locations: England, England’s, Portsmouth

LONDON (AP) — It took Kevin De Bruyne less than five minutes to show why his return from injury could be so crucial for Manchester City in the second half of the Premier League season. De Bruyne had not made a league appearance since the opening round of the season in August, but it looked like he'd never been away. And in stoppage time, he lifted a perfectly weighted ball into the box for substitute Oscar Bobb to score his first Premier League goal and complete the comeback. Only two games were played Saturday with half of the Premier League teams having the weekend off for a short winter break. It was the 21-year-old Palmer’s ninth league goal of the season and fifth from the penalty spot after joining from Man City in the offseason.

Persons: Kevin De Bruyne, De Bruyne, he'd, James ', Pep Guardiola's, Martin Dubravka, Oscar Bobb, I’m, Eddie Howe's, Erling Haaland, “, Kevin, Guardiola, Oscar, ”, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Isak, Walker, Stefan Ortega, Gordon, Ortega, Ederson, Sean Longstaff, Mauricio Pochettino, Cole Palmer, Palmer, ” Palmer, Marco Silva, Malo, ” Silva, Dai Yongge, Port, ___ Organizations: Manchester City, Premier League, City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Fulham, Premier League teams, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Arsenal, League, DERBY WIN, CHELSEA Chelsea, Blues, Stamford, Man, Middlesbrough, “, TNT, ” Fulham, Port Vale, Reading, English Football League, Cheltenham Locations: St, London, Man City, Middlesbrough, Bolton

☆ Independent Regulator to safeguard English clubs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Independent Regulator for Football (IREF) will have the power to step in to address cash flow and other systemic issues within clubs, many of which are financially vulnerable. "Legislation will be brought forward to safeguard the future of football clubs for the communities and fans," King Charles said of the Football Governance Bill in his speech. Fair Game, a band of clubs campaigning to improve football governance, described the announcement as an "historic moment for football". It is a unique strength of the English game and something that must be protected and nurtured," Parry said. Since the 1999-2000 season, 19 out of 23 Premier League seasons resulted in pre-tax losses for all clubs combined.

Persons: Park, Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier, Lee Smith, Rishi Sunak, King Charles, Niall Couper, Rick Parry, Parry, Tracey Crouch, Crouch, Lori Ewing, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Newcastle United, James, Newcastle, British, Independent Regulator, Football, Bury FC, Super League, Sheffield, Reading, Scunthorpe United, English Football, Former Sports, England, Independent, LaLiga, Premier, Thomson Locations: Newcastle, Britain

☆ Rio Ferdinand: Soccer needs to ‘quickly’ address lack of diversity in leadership roles, says Manchester United great
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Aimee Lewis | Zayn Nabbi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“I think you look at my sport, football, you look at the pitch, you look at grassroots, it’s a huge mix,” Ferdinand said. “But the representation on the pitch isn’t reflected in other areas of football, especially where decisions are being made,” added Ferdinand. So I think that needs to change hugely and quickly.”Rio Ferdinand lifts the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy in 2008. In 2021-22, 83 coaching positions were advertised by English Football League clubs. Ferdinand, who captained England, won multiple Premier League titles, and the Champions League, said he would be open to moving into a leadership position within the sport.

Persons: Rio Ferdinand, Ferdinand, ” Ferdinand, ”, “, Shaun Botterill, Preeti Shetty, Deji Davies, Brentford –, Lorna Falconer, Justin Cochrane, ’ “ I’m, ’ “, haven’t, I’ll, Warner Organizations: CNN, Manchester United, England, TNT Sports, FIFA Club, Black, ’, – Premier League, League, English Football League, West London, Brentford FC, Brentford, Premier League, British, Premier League club, Champions League, Warner Bros . Discovery

☆ WSL confident of becoming first billion pound women's soccer league
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Christian Radnedge | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Soccer Football - Women's Super League - Reading v Chelsea - Madejski Stadium, Reading, Britain - May 27, 2023 Chelsea's Magdalena Eriksson celebrates with the trophy and team mates after winning the Women's Super League Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 18 (Reuters) - England's Women's Super League is confident of becoming the first billion pound ($1.24 billion) women's soccer league in the world within 10 years, the chair of the WSL's board said ahead of the new season that begins next month. "One of the stated goals that we have is to make this league the first billion pound women's league in the world, that is league revenue and club revenue and there's no reason why we shouldn't do it," Airey told reporters at a launch day for the new WSL season in north west London. LOWER LEAGUESAirey also said they wanted a close relationship with the lower leagues and to avoid a revenue-governance split like the one between the men's Premier League and the lower tiers of the English Football League. The WSL will negotiate a new deal once the Premier League has agreed its new TV rights package, to avoid clashing publicity, Airey said. "The reality is the infrastructure isn't there in many of the women's games, so you're talking about a huge investment.

Persons: Chelsea's Magdalena Eriksson, John Sibley, Dawn Airey, Airey, Sue Campbell, we've, Dawn, Campbell, Christian Radnedge, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer, League, Reading, Chelsea, Madejski, The Football Association, men's Premier League, English Football League, BBC, Sky Sports, Premier League, Women's Football, FIFA, Saudi, Thomson Locations: Reading, Britain, London, Saudi, Saudi Arabia

☆ EFL deduct three points from Reading after failing to deposit wages
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 14 (Reuters) - English third-tier side Reading have been deducted three points after failing to deposit enough funds to cover the club's monthly wage bill, the English Football League (EFL) said on Wednesday. Reading received a one-point deduction last month with a further three points suspended, to be applied if they breached EFL regulations again. The club had failed to comply with an order to deposit funds equal to 125% of the forecast monthly wage bill in a designated account by Tuesday, the EFL said in a statement on Wednesday. Reading were also docked six points in April while they were competing in the second-tier Championship, a sanction which eventually resulted in their relegation. Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru;Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dai Yongge, Pearl Josephine Nazare Organizations: Reading, English Football League, League, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Wrexham keeper Foster announces retirement again at 40
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Aug 21 (Reuters) - Former England goalkeeper Ben Foster has retired again, the 40-year-old said on Monday just two months after signing a one-year contract extension with League Two (fourth-tier) side Wrexham. Foster played a key role in helping the Welsh team bet back in the English Football League, making 12 appearances during his time at the club, which is owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. He came out of retirement to sign a short-term deal with Wrexham in March before saving a stoppage-time penalty against Notts County the following month to put Wrexham within touching distance of automatic promotion from the National League. "Wrexham will always have a special place in my heart." Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru;Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ben Foster, Foster, Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, haven't, Pearl Josephine Nazare Organizations: League, Wrexham, English Football League, Hollywood, Notts, National League, Thomson Locations: England, Bengaluru

☆ English football authorities launch measures to tackle behaviour, tragedy abuse
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A Tottenham Hotspur fan was also banned from games for three years after making gestures mocking the Hillsborough tragedy at the Premier League match between Liverpool and Spurs in April. Liverpool called for an end to "vile chants" about the Hillsborough disaster after they were heard during April's Premier League draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. 'INCREDIBLE POWER'Signatories of the new disciplinary charter include the FA, Premier League, English Football League (EFL) and Women's Super League (WSL). During the match only one person can stand at the front of the technical area and while a second person can stand they "must remain very close to the technical area seating". Nobody from the technical area can "enter the pitch to confront any match official at halftime or full-time".

Persons: Douglas Mackay, Richard Masters, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Ken Ferris Organizations: Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, Liverpool, Spurs, April's Premier League, Chelsea, Stamford, Sports National, FA, English Football League, Super League, Academy, Thomson Locations: Hillsborough, Liverpool, Bengaluru

☆ Hannah Dingley becomes first female head coach in English men’s professional football
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Kevin Dotson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —English football club Forest Green Rovers named Hannah Dingley as its interim head coach Tuesday, making her the first female head coach in English professional football. Dingley replaces outgoing coach Duncan Ferguson, who was appointed Forest Green manager in January, but was unable to stop the team from being relegated to League 2, the lowest tier of professional English football. Dingley’s Her position as head coach is a temporary one as the club looks to find a fulltime solution. Under Vince’s ownership, Forest Green has become well known for attempting to make a difference off the pitch. In 2017, Forest Green became the world’s first vegan club, according to the Vegan Society.

Persons: Hannah Dingley, Dingley, Duncan Ferguson, I’m, ” Dingley, “, “ Hannah, – she’s, Dale Vince, “ It’s, Hannah, Green Organizations: CNN, English, Forest Green Rovers, Forest Green, League, English Football League Academy, Academy, Melksham, Vegan Society, FIFA Locations: Melksham Town

☆ Rossi sees Reynolds' winning touch boosting Alpine
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ENSTONE, England, June 27 (Reuters) - Renault-owned Alpine believe Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds has the Midas Touch to help get the team back to the top in Formula One. "Most of you were probably expecting Ryan Reynolds," Otro Capital founder and partner Alec Scheiner jokingly told analysts at Alpine's Enstone factory for a strategy presentation. Alpine chief executive Laurent Rossi pointed to Reynolds' track record in business. Rossi said the investors, who have paid 200 million euros ($218.88 million), would develop revenues through merchandising, licensing and hospitality. The deal values Alpine Racing at around $900 million and Rossi said the numbers were only going up.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Alec Scheiner, Laurent Rossi, Rossi, Otro, Goldman Sachs, Gerry Cardinale, RedBird, Scheiner, Luca de Meo, Alan Baldwin, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Renault, Formula, Wrexham soccer, Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, Aviation, Mobile US, Ka'ena Corp, Mint Mobile, Diageo, Gin, Wrexham, English Football League, RedBird, Fenway Sports Group, Premier League, Liverpool, Boston Red Sox baseball, Toulouse, Milan, Liberty Media, Thomson Locations: ENSTONE, England, Wrexham, RedBird, Americas, Las Vegas, U.S

☆ Wrexham's Hollywood owners join group buying into Alpine F1
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, June 26 (Reuters) - Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are joining Otro Capital and RedBird Capital Partners in an investor group taking a 24% equity stake in Alpine Racing, the Formula One team's parent company Renault announced on Monday. The 200 million euro ($218.10 million) deal values British-based Alpine Racing at around $900 million following the investment. Alec Scheiner, the co-founder and partner of Otro Capital, will join Alpine Racing's board of directors. Renault said Alpine Racing SAS, the French entity that makes the team's power units in Viry-Châtillon, will remain entirely owned by the carmaker. "Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners and Maximum Effort Investments, as international players with strong track record in the sports industry, will bring their recognised expertise to boost our media and marketing strategy, essential to support our sporting performance over the long term.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Alec Scheiner, Reynolds, Michael B, Jordan, McElhenney, Renault, Huntsman, Goldman Sachs, Gerry Cardinale, RedBird, Laurent Rossi, Alan Baldwin, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, Alpine Racing, Renault, Otro, Alpine, McElhenney, Wrexham, Welsh soccer, English Football League, Main Street Advisors, Fenway Sports Group, Premier League, Liverpool, Boston Red Sox baseball, Toulouse, AC Milan, New York Yankees, Formula, Benetton, Alpine Racing SAS, Thomson Locations: Alpine, Philadelphia, Wrexham, North America, Enstone, England, Viry

☆ Wrexham's Tozer slams EFL towel ban for throw-ins
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 24 (Reuters) - Wrexham defender Ben Tozer has criticised the English Football League (EFL) ban on towels to dry the ball before long throw-ins, claiming the tactics are not "anti-football". The new rule on the towel ban approved earlier this month will also prevent players from using items of clothing offered up by fans to dry the ball for better grip. Instead, the EFL will follow the Premier League's example of a multi-ball system to speed up play in its competitions from the 2023-24 season. "I might have upset someone in the EFL because they're trying to ruin my career. But they will first entertain their new-found fans in the United States when they face Chelsea and Manchester United in next month's pre-season tour.

Persons: Ben Tozer, Tozer, I've, Tony Pulis's, Rory Delap, Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Rohith Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Wrexham, English Football League, BBC, Premier League, Tony Pulis's Stoke City, Hollywood, MK Dons, Chelsea, Manchester United, Thomson Locations: Wrexham, United States, Bengaluru

☆ Wrexham host MK Dons in fourth-tier opener, Saints at Wednesday in Championship
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - National League - Wrexham v Boreham Wood - Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Britain - April 22, 2023 Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrate with the trophy on the pitch after Wrexham win the National League and promotion to League Two Action Images via... Read moreJune 22 (Reuters) - National League champions Wrexham will begin their League Two campaign at home to MK Dons when the new season starts on Aug. 5 after the English Football League (EFL) released its fixtures for the 2023-24 season. Wrexham, owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, scripted a fairytale return to the EFL when they won the National League with a record 111 points last season. Southampton, relegated from the Premier League, begin their Championship campaign under new manager Russell Martin against promoted Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Wednesday, who overturned a 4-0 deficit against Peterborough in the League One playoff semi-finals, won promotion when Josh Windass got the winner against 10-man Barnsley in stoppage time of extra time to snatch a 1-0 victory in the Wembley final. Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Boreham, Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds, Read, Paul Mullin, Russell Martin, Josh Windass, Barnsley, Rohith Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, National League, Wrexham, League, MK Dons, English Football League, Hollywood, Cambridge United, Welsh, Southampton, Premier League, Sheffield Wednesday, Hillsborough, Peterborough, Wembley, Thomson Locations: Wrexham, Britain, Bengaluru

☆ Fowler, Spieth and Thomas looking to invest in Leeds
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 15 (Reuters) - Rickie Fowler said he and fellow American golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are looking to invest in Leeds United after 49ers Enterprises agreed on a takeover of the English soccer club. Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani agreed to sell his stake to the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers NFL franchise after they were relegated from the Premier League. "There is the group that's moving forward with being involved with Leeds. Myself, JT and Jordan potentially will be a part of it," Fowler told Sky Sports. The trio are looking to follow former NFL player J.J. Watt and his wife, former U.S. soccer international Kealia Watt, who have invested in Burnley.

Persons: Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Andrea Radrizzani, JT, Jordan, Fowler, I've, J.J, Watt, Kealia Watt, Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Leeds United, 49ers Enterprises, Leeds, San Francisco 49ers NFL, Premier League, Sky Sports, Burnley, Wrexham, English Football League, Thomson Locations: States, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Wrexham plan match in co-owner McElhenney's Philadelphia hometown
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - National League - Wrexham v Boreham Wood - Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Britain - April 22, 2023 Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrate with the trophy on the pitch after Wrexham win the National League and promotion to League Two Action Images via... Read moreNEW YORK, June 12 (Reuters) - Wrexham will conclude their United States tour in co-owner Rob McElhenney's hometown of Philadelphia, with a match against Major League Soccer (MLS) affiliate team Philadelphia Union II on July 28. The star of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," along with his Marvel super-hero co-owner Ryan Reynolds, helped to raise the profile of the Welsh club through their docu-series "Welcome to Wrexham," earning the team legions of U.S. fans. "We're looking forward to our tour to America in the summer," Manager Phil Parkinson said in a statement. The lovable underdogs secured a fairytale return to the English Football League in April after a 15-year absence and the Philadelphia match is part of a victory lap planned across the pond. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New YorkOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Boreham, Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney's, Phil Parkinson, Amy Tennery Organizations: Soccer Football, National League, Wrexham, League, Major League Soccer, Philadelphia Union II, Marvel, Welsh, English Football League, Chelsea, LA, Manchester United, Thomson Locations: Wrexham, Britain, States, Philadelphia, America, Chapel Hill , North Carolina, Los Angeles, New York

☆ Wrexham embrace surprise American fan base on the road
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Instead, the club has become a source of intense fascination for an American fanbase often blithely ignorant of the English Football drama that unfolds each year across the Atlantic. "People are looking for reasons to be excited and feel good. And Wrexham is certainly a feel good story," said Brian Berklich, chief marketing officer at Sports Endeavors, whose Soccer.com is the retail and content partner for the tournament. "There's been a lot of heartbreak and mystery around the club for a good long time now. And what the owners have done is they galvanized the whole town and they've really brought more of a community feel," said Howard.

Persons: Boreham, Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds, Jon Mugar, Mugar, Brian Berklich, Steve Nash, Cesc Fabregas, Mark Howard, Andy Morrell, Lee Trundle, We've, Howard, There's, they've, They've, Amy Tennery, Toby Davis Organizations: Soccer Football, National League, Wrexham, League, English Football League, English Football, Dallas Cowboys, Sports, Spain, Reuters, Chelsea, LA, Manchester United, Thomson Locations: Wrexham, Britain, U.S, American, Cary , North Carolina, TST, Como, Chapel Hill , North Carolina, Los Angeles, New York

☆ Sheffield Wednesday promoted to Championship with 123rd-minute Windass winner
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Wednesday can now look forward to Championship football next season which had seemed wildly out of reach when they trailed Peterborough 4-0 after the first leg of their semi-final before producing the greatest comeback in English Football League playoff history. In front of 44,000 Wednesday fans crammed into Wembley, Windass emulated his father Dean, whose winning goal for Hull City in the 2008 Championship playoff final helped them win promotion to the Premier League. Wow," Dean Windass told BBC Radio Sheffield. "I've played for a couple of big clubs but look at this, it's unbelievable," Josh Windass told Sky Sports. Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ EddIe Howe: Man charged with assault after appearing to shove shoving Premier League manager during match
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

A spectator walked towards the Newcastle technical area late in the match before confronting and then appearing to shove Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. Leeds United said it had issued a lifetime ban on the spectator. “Leeds United can confirm that following an incident at our Premier League match against Newcastle United today, an arrest has been made and a lifetime ban has also been issued,” the club said in a statement. In a press conference after the match, Howe called for the security of players and team staff at Premier League matches to be improved. The safety of staff, players, is paramount for me at the Premier League, any matches in the football league, and we need to be mindful.

☆ Hollywood's Reynolds and McElhenney found success at Welsh soccer club Wrexham. But there's a warning for would-be copycats
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"There's a big amount of pressure and attention from the press, not to mention scepticism from diehard football fans. WREXHAM, Wales - May 2, 2023: Wrexham AFC fans celebrate during a bus parade following their league title win. One fan has donned the costume of Deadpool, the comic book character played by co-owner Ryan Reynolds. Hollis said they understood that "it would take more than funny Twitter posts and a documentary" to turn around a struggling club like Wrexham. This sort of dedication plays a crucial role in attracting more support from fans," Hollis said.

☆ EFL signs record broadcasting deal with Sky Sports
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

EFL clubs unanimously voted to accept the deal, which will see over 1,000 matches being broadcast or streamed from the 2024-25 to 2028-29 seasons. The EFL, which organises the professional leagues below the top flight Premier League, said the arrangement would be made up of guaranteed payments of 895 million pounds and 40 million pounds in marketing benefits. "This is the biggest deal in football, in terms of the number of matches being broadcast," Sky Sports Managing Director Jonathan Licht said in a statement. "We look forward to working with the EFL and its 72 member clubs to give fans the most entertaining viewing experience." The deal is worth only a fraction of the value of the Premier League's, however.

☆ Wrexham to play in seven-on-seven tournament in North Carolina
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 5 (Reuters) - Wrexham, the newly-promoted Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, will compete in a seven-on-seven tournament in early June in Cary, North Carolina. The 32-team event from June 1-4 called The Soccer Tournament will consist of a group stage and knockout rounds capped by a winner-takes-all $1 million championship game. They will begin the group stage of The Soccer Tournament on June 1 against Italian Serie B club Como 1907, whose ownership group includes soccer greats Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas. Earlier this week, it was announced that Wrexham will play a July 22 friendly in California against Major League Soccer reserve team LA Galaxy II. Two other U.S. fixtures had already been set, with Wrexham facing Chelsea in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Manchester United in San Diego, California, on July 19 and 25 respectively.

☆ Wrexham paint town red with open-top bus parade after promotion to EFL
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Soccer Football - National League - Wrexham Victory Parade - Wrexham, Wales, Britain - May 2, 2023 Fans light flares as Wrexham players celebrate with the trophy on the bus during the victory parade REUTERS/Carl RecineMay 2 (Reuters) - Wrexham's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney ditched the star-studded Met Gala to join the Welsh soccer club's open-top bus victory parade on Tuesday as they celebrated their promotion to the English Football League. Wrexham secured a fairytale return to the EFL following a 15-year absence last month after beating Boreham Wood 3-1 to win the National League with a game to spare. The dollop of Hollywood glitz has made Wrexham's promotion one of the most unlikely and heart-warming stories for many a season. Wrexham said the parade was also to celebrate the achievements of their women's team, who achieved promotion to Adran Premier, the highest level of league competition for the women's game in Wales. Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Wrexham: An intoxicating tale of Hollywood glamour and sporting romance
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +22 min

In an often brutal and bleak world, the recent resurgence of Wrexham, the city as well as the soccer club, lifts the soul. The Turf pub is a must-see for Wrexham fans. But now, there’s Wrexham with a story that, in hindsight, feels as if it was just waiting for Hollywood. One of Wrexham city center's shopping areas, pictured on April 22. Wrexham fans celebrate on the pitch after their team beat Boreham Wood at the Racecourse Ground.

☆ Hollywood backers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney help springboard a Welsh soccer club back into the big leagues
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

WREXHAM, Wales - APRIL 22, 2023: Jordan Davies of Wrexham celebrates with fans as Wrexham win the Vanarama National League and are promoted to the English Football League after victory against Boreham Wood. Wrexham, the Welsh soccer club owned by Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, secured promotion back to the English Football League (EFL) system for the first time in 15 years. A 3-1 victory on Saturday over London-based Boreham Wood saw the club win the Vanarama National League title, powered by two second-half goals from talismanic striker Paul Mullin. The win meant Wrexham wrapped up the league title with one game to spare after a fierce challenge from Notts County. It will see the club ascend next season from the National League, the fifth tier of the English football pyramid, into the EFL League Two for the first time since its relegation in 2007/8.

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