Welcome to Wrexham Season 3: Recap and What to Expect in Season 4
By
Will Brown
Contributor Updated: 11 September 2024
Will Brown Contributor
William Brown is a Content Writer with strong expertise in US and global gambling industry trends. Having covered the local sports betting market since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, William approaches his gambling guides with passion and diligence. He is a keen player of online slots, blackjack, and a regular sports bettor.
Wrexham Season 3
Now that Welcome to Wrexham season 3 has concluded, there’s plenty to discuss about this exciting season. As the series moves closer to real-world events, this underdog story continues to captivate fans. However, we understand that many have yet to dip their toes into the action. This is why we’ve created this guide to recap the first three seasons, with particular attention on the third, as well as discuss the upcoming fourth season.
Intro to the Welcome to Wrexham Series 3 Recap
Before we get started on recapping the new season of Welcome to Wrexham, we wanted to provide an overview of the first two series. That way, you’ll be up-to-date when you learn about how the story unfolds in season three.
When discussing the third season, we’ve broken down the highs and lows of both the team and players, as well as some issues with the season that rankled us. We’ve also discussed what we can expect from season four, which is especially relevant to those wishing to bet on League One soccer.
The Run-Up to the New Season of Welcome to Wrexham
Welcome to Wrexham is a documentary series that details the story of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as they attempt to boost the chances of Wrexham A.F.C., a football club in North Wales. There have now been three seasons that track the team’s progress, which we’ve recapped below.
Season 1 Recap
Welcome to Wrexham season begins with Reynolds and McElhenney’s surprise acquisition of the club despite having very little knowledge of soccer. The pair were drawn to Wrexham, which was founded in 1864 and is one of the oldest soccer clubs in the world, because of its underdog status.
Despite once being successful, the team was struggling financially and struggled to be promoted beyond the lower tiers of the English football system. With the stars’ takeover of the team, they sought to revive the club’s chances with the goal of promoting them to the English Premier League.
The series charts the acquisition of the club through to the 2021-2022 football season. One of its most appealing aspects is its portrayal of the town of Wrexham, with the community initially skeptical about the renewed investment in the team. However, as Reynolds and McElhenney immersed themselves in the town’s culture, they were quickly embraced.
The season tracks Wrexham’s season under the new ownership, which sees the team lineup reshuffled. By the end of the first series, Wrexham rose to second place in the fifth-tier National League but missed out on promotion to the EFL League Two after being knocked out in the semi-finals.
Season 2 Recap
The Wrexham AFC series 2 outings proved far more successful than the first season. This tracks the 2022-2023 soccer season as they attempt to be promoted to the EFL League Two. The season focused on some major signings of new talent and the acquisition of player talents.
A string of successes saw the team gain momentum in its quest for promotion, and the transformational nature of the town’s spirits was highlighted. One of the biggest new stories was when King Charles III visited the club, further boosting the media hype around Wrexham.
The series also highlights controversies around the team and its owners’ antics, with attention given to the stresses of management as well as player performance. However, there is nothing more notable in the season than its final episode, which witnesses the decisive match that would decide Wrexham’s promotion to the EFL League Two.
With the score set at 1-1 at half-time, the second half saw Paul Mullin score twice for Wrexham. The game concluded with a 3-1 score, with Wrexham promoted after 15 years of floundering in the National League. The women’s team was also promoted, which saw 40,000 people show up to celebrate, paving the way for an exciting Welcome to Wrexham series 3.
The Season 3 Recap
Unlike the first two seasons of the series, Welcome to Wrexham aired in the autumn rather than spring in an effort to bring the show closer to the depicted events. There are only eight episodes rather than more than a dozen like the other series, which gives the show greater focus.
Welcome to Wrexham Season 3 focuses on the club’s first season in League Two. While spirits begin high with the team’s promotion, they are humbled by a loss to Milton Keynes in the first episode. Despite this, the team slowly finds its footing as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, the on-field antics are balanced with the off-field drama, with the impacts on the community being showcased. There is plenty of heart to the season, especially considering the return of Anthony Forde, who took compassionate leave after his brother and wife were diagnosed with cancer.
One of the most emotional moments in the whole series saw Forde score a crucial goal against Yeovil in a November 2023 game, which epitomized Welcome to Wrexham’s themes of resilience. There was also more focus on player James Jones, who deals with complications around his wife’s pregnancy and premature birth.
Another important facet of this season is that the Wrexham women’s team is given more screen time, and Welcome to Wrexham series 3 interweaves their journey with the men’s to create a more holistic narrative. By the end of the season, the women’s team finishes third in the Adran Premier, exceeding expectations.
Toward the end of the season, it seems as though Wrexham’s League One promotional chances are unlikely. In the penultimate game, Wrexham not only has to win to secure automatic promotion but so too do the teams Mansfield and GIllingham in their matches played simultaneously.
Both Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds decide to stay in the US rather than watch the game live because of their slim chances, but excitement builds as news that Gillingham and Mansfield are winning is spread. Ultimately, Wrexham wins and the other games turn out in their favor.
This sees the team win back-to-back promotions, setting them up for a debut in League One in the next season. The season concludes with the final game against Stockport, who won the league, as Wrexham wins. It is also marked with sadness, with many of Wrexham’s current lineup set to be released from the club.
The Highs
Welcome to Wrexham season 3 is filled with highlights that distinguish it from the other season. Notably, there seems to more emotional depth, which not only comes from the moving stories but also from the audience’s growing connection to the players and community. The integration of the women’s team also enriches the story.
Of course, it’s the people who make this series what it is, so McElhenney’s and Reynolds’ dynamic is always entertaining. Humphrey Ker, the team’s executive director, is also provided with more time, and the fiery dressing-room speeches of manager Phil Parkinson provide a captivating insight into the workings of a professional soccer team.
The Lows
While the third season still managed to provide plenty of thrills, there were several downsides that took us out of the action. Namely, the series could feel bogged down by the commercial aspects, including product placement and sequences dedicated to the sponsors. That said, this is done knowingly, hinting at the necessity of sponsorship for the team’s financial viability.
The shorter season time also meant that the pacing of the episodes could fill rushed, with some storylines not given much room to breathe. There was also the surprise omission of the collapse of Luke Armstrong’s transfer deal to the team from Harrogate which was widely reported in the media. Perhaps the new season of Welcome to Wrexham will cover this story.
What to Expect in Season 4
With season 4 confirmed and new episodes of Welcome to Wrexham set to debut in early 2025, we expect a longer season that tracks the team’s first year in League One since 2004. We can expect a new lineup of players, as well as the growing community hopes around the team’s League One chances.
Many will be tuning in to see if the team can perform miracles by earning its third straight promotion to the Championship League. The stakes have never been higher, so we’re thrilled to see what happens next.
