Wrexham have been transformed by the ownership of players Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, securing back-to-back promotions to League One after years of languishing in the National League.
But the Hollywood effect is spreading to other parts of North Wales, a part of the world that is now clearly on the radar of many North Americans following the success of the subsequent TV series “Welcome to Wrexham” the fortune of the club and its inhabitants. Top owners.
One of the beneficiaries is Llay Miners Welfare FC, who play in the Lock Stock Ardal Leagues Northwest, the third tier of the Welsh football league system.
Arizona-based businessman RJ Carvis discovered the club while sightseeing on a trip to watch Wrexham play.
Having worked for Major League Baseball (MLB) teams in the United States, Carvis was able to offer advice and business expertise to Llay – his involvement providing experience rather than the financial muscle that Reynolds and McElhenney can exercise.
“Long story short, I…walked around Llay and the Welfare Miners' Institute and it was a beautiful building to see, part of the town, part of the culture…and see that there had a football club,” Carvis said Radio Wales Sport.
“I was kind of inspired to learn more and the conversations started again and I talked with Keiron Fox, our president… and all of a sudden I went from, 'I think I can help you ' to 'you're just about to do it' committee now!'”
Carvis now finds himself involved in board meetings, managing grant applications from the Football Association of Wales (FAW), helping with social media and revamping the website – even writing some match reports himself.
