Wrexham's Journey to Australia and New Zealand

Wrexham AFC, the Welsh football club now globally recognized thanks to the Welcome to Wrexham documentary series, is embarking on its first-ever preseason tour of Australia and New Zealand. This marks a significant milestone for the club, which has risen from the depths of the National League to the English Championship in just a few years.

Wayne Jones: A Tale of Two Eras

Wayne Jones, a breakout star of the documentary and landlord of the famous Turf pub, reflects on the stark contrast between Wrexham's current status and their struggles two decades ago. "To be back here, two decades to the year, now a Championship club with very good owners who want nothing but the best for the club and a staff that work tremendously well for the club -- it's a vast contrast to where we were two decades ago," Jones told ESPN.

The Impact of Welcome to Wrexham

The documentary series has catapulted Wrexham into the global spotlight. Jones recalls, "I spoke to anybody here 20 years ago, I was saying 'I live in Wales, which is next to England'. Nothing against anybody locally or anybody I met with travels; the town didn't have much to shout about. Now we get stopped everywhere. Everybody recognizes the badge."

Wrexham's Preseason Matches

Wrexham will face three A-League clubs across three cities during their tour. Their first match is against Melbourne Victory at Marvel Stadium. Despite being in the early stages of their preseason, Melbourne Victory presents a formidable challenge, having qualified for back-to-back grand finals in the A-League.

Looking Ahead

As Wrexham prepares for their return to the Championship, this tour represents more than just preseason preparation. It's a celebration of their remarkable journey and a testament to the power of community, passion, and a little Hollywood magic.

Quote of the Day

"Don't think I've watched the latest season, but I watched the first couple. I've followed Ben Foster throughout my career, met him as a 13-year-old, so when he joined the club, I watched what he got up to and have been a casual follower ever since." -- Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Jack Duncan on playing Wrexham.