Following the arrival of Hollywood in Wrexham and the transformation of the struggling Welsh soccer team into an international sensation through a highly popular documentary series, the team reciprocated by visiting Los Angeles on Saturday.
The friendly match in Carson, where Wrexham emerged victorious with a 4-0 score, saw a larger presence of fans donning red Wrexham shirts compared to those supporting the MLS reserve team, LA Galaxy II. This visit was part of Wrexham’s ‘USA Invasion’ tour, consisting of four matches.
Wayne Jones, the owner of The Turf pub and a rising star in the documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham,’ was amazed as he observed the spectacle from the edge of the action. The documentary follows the journey of Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as they acquire the club starting from November 2020.
“We’ve had an incredible welcome and we’re absolutely stoked to be here. It’s such a brilliant city and massive compared to what we’re used to,” Jones told Reuters at halftime.
He stated that the Welsh team, who achieved promotion to the English Football League in April after being absent for 15 years, were significantly better off than they were three years ago.
“Every day Wrexham fans wake up and pinch themselves because we’ve had a real rough ride in the past two or three decades, so to be where we are now is incredible,” he said.
On a pleasant evening in Southern California, fans enjoyed Wrexham-inspired beverages at a replica of The Turf pub. Despite constantly being approached by fans wanting photos, Jones refused to accept the notion that he had become a celebrity.
“I don’t see myself as a celebrity, I just work at a bar. I see myself as a humble, down-to-earth, working-class guy,” he said.
“We’re on the rides of our lives at the moment but ultimately what we care about is the community and the football club and if both of them are thriving, which both appear to be, we will embrace it.”
Wrexham will be playing against Manchester United in San Diego on Tuesday, and will conclude their tour with a match against Bethlehem Steel in Chester, Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The second season of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ will be available for streaming in the USA starting from September 12th.
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