Where Wrexham documentary stars axed since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney takeover are now
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have made big changes since their Wrexham takeover and some of the stars of the first ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ series are no longer at the club
Wrexham are fighting for promotion after a host of big-name signings – but that has inevitably meant some familiar faces heading out the exit door.
Those who watched ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ would have seen a number of those featured in early episodes axed after the arrival of new owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds. They’ll have also discovered that some of those there during last season’s action are no longer at the club after Phil Parkinson’s summer overhaul.
The likes of Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, Jordan Davies, Aaron Hayden and Rob Lainton – heavily involved in the first series – remain at the Racecourse Ground and a huge part of the battle with Notts County for the National League title.
New heroes are also likely to emerge in the next series with several signings making a big impression. But here’s a look at those who were discarded from Wrexham’s ‘Hollywood’ revolution and what they’re now up to.
Phil Parkinson is now the man synonymous with Wrexham’s ‘Hollywood’ era – but cast you mind back to the time of the takeover and there was a different man in the dugout.
Viewers of the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ series saw Dean Keates in charge as huge changes hit the Racecourse Ground before their 2020/21 season ultimately fizzled out. The result was Keates’ contract not being renewed as the club went in a different direction and appointed Parkinson.
Keates played over 150 games for Wrexham between 2010 and 2015 and had two stints as manager after his retirement. He was in charge between 2016 and 2018 before leaving to take charge of boyhood club Walsall, then returning in 2019.

