Wrexham executive director Humphrey Ker says America’s reaction to the team this summer has exceeded their wildest expectations.
The Welsh club have become one of the most talked-about teams in the world since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took charge 30 months ago.
The ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ docuseries has seen the club wins hearts and minds across the world, with that blossoming fandom clear during this summer’s US tour.
More than 50,000 were in attendance for last week’s friendly against Chelsea in North Carolina and many of the 34,248 at Tuesday’s friendly against Manchester United’s youngsters were rooting for the League Two club.
“It’s been extraordinary, really,” actor and club executive director Ker told the PA news agency.
“We hoped with the success of the documentary that people would turn out to see us and visit us and be happy to have us here.
“It’s exceeded our wildest expectations, really, in every stop on the journey.”
Ker has found the lengths people have gone to in the US to watch Wrexham “pretty humbling”, underlining a growth that shows few signs of slowing.
Asked if the club’s rapid rise has surpassed his expectations, he said: “Oh, definitely.
“We always felt that with a bit of an injection of money and love and attention, the club could start to rise up the ranks in the UK.
“But to be at this stage after two and a half years of being in the US, playing a team like Manchester United in front of a sold out 35,000 crowd is pretty extraordinary.”
Wrexham won Tuesday’s match 3-1 against 10-man United in San Diego after recovering from star striker Paul Mullin’s early injury at Snapdragon Stadium.
It was a memorable victory but the League Two club have tried to make the experience about more than the match, bringing a little slice of Wales with them to the US with their fan fest.
“It’s very cool,” Ker said. “We’ve been pretty overwhelmed with the response to everything.
“I think I think we’ve tried to meet enthusiasm with enthusiasm. I talked to a couple today, they came in from Colorado this morning, some folk they come from Utah, they come from all over the US.
“So, we want to make sure there’s a good thing for them to attend.”
McElhenney was loving Tuesday’s match – a game fellow owner Reynolds had to watch from afar as he is filming Deadpool 3 in the UK.
“I think he slightly cursed our names when he worked out that he was going to be in the UK for the summer and we were going to be over here,” Ker said with a smile about Reynolds’ absence.
“But, you know, the great thing about that is it gives them lots of opportunities to come and see league games. We’re back in action in about 10 days’ time so he’ll have his chance.”
Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women
Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.
Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.
Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.
"The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.
"We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."
Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.
Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.
"If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.
"We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.
"We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."
'Not a good sign' – Keane unimpressed by Man Utd's injured absentees
Roy Keane was left questioning the attitudes of Manchester United's players as the Red Devils were once again without numerous key players for Sunday's loss to Arsenal.
Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez were among the notable names to miss out for the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford, as Erik ten Hag bemoaned continued injury issues.
Martinez and Harry Maguire's absence ensured Ten Hag had to field Jonny Evans and makeshift centre-back partner Casemiro in defence, with the latter at fault for Leandro Trossard's winning goal.
Wayne Rooney vocalised his concerns over the application of United's players and Keane, speaking on Sky Sports, echoed his thoughts as he questioned the prolonged absence of some.
"Obviously, that's not a good sign," Keane said of players not returning from injury. "You'd hope players who are carrying injuries are desperate to get back playing again.
"There is always a worry, there are always players at every club that can drag their heels with an injury.
"Generally, players I played with when they were given a period they'd be injured for, they were always trying to knock a week off it and get back playing for Manchester United or whatever club they're at."
Without a host of key players, United have conceded in 10 successive games in all competitions for the first time since October 2021.
The Red Devils' 82 goals they have conceded this season is their most since 1970-71 (also 82), too, as United continue to disappoint in the 2023-23 campaign.
United have also lost 19 games in all competitions this season, their most since 1977-78 (also 19), while their nine defeats at Old Trafford this term are their joint-most at home in a single campaign.
Keane says the concerns over players not racing back to fitness is not unusual, though it does little to aid Ten Hag's plight.
"It's always a worry but I have to say, it goes on at lots of football clubs," the United great said.
"There are lots of players out there when they have an injury, they're not in the hurry to get back in the team. I think that's obvious and happens at lots of football clubs."
Leverkusen ready to become first team to play unbeaten Bundesliga season, says Alonso
Bayer Leverkusen are ready to become the first team in Bundesliga history to go an entire season unbeaten, coach Xabi Alonso said after Sunday's 5-0 demolition of Bochum.
Treble-chasing Leverkusen cruised past Bochum, who had Felix Passlack sent off in the 15th minute, to stretch their remarkable unbeaten run across all competitions this season to 50 consecutive matches.
On Thursday, Alonso's team surpassed Benfica's long-standing European unbeaten record set from 1963 to 1965 with a 2-2 draw against Roma that sent them through to the Europa League final.
Sunday's win over Bochum also meant they became only the third team in Bundesliga history to remain unbeaten in every away match of a season.
"After that red card it was a completely different game for us," Alonso told a press conference.
"I am very satisfied with the result. It was important for us. Now we have a super goal on Saturday to win the title without any defeat. That has never happened before."
Leverkusen, who face Atalanta in the Europa League showpiece match and take on Kaiserslautern in the DFB-Pokal final later in May, entertain Augsburg at home in Saturday's Bundesliga finale where they will also receive their first-ever league trophy.
"To receive the title in Leverkusen will be very special," said Alonso. "The players have been focused the entire season so for them it will be very special. I am proud of them."
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