Wrexham’s Rise to the Top: Can They Conquer the Eight Ex-Premier League Sides?
Wrexham’s journey has been nothing short of a fairytale, but this season they’ll need to overcome a few giants to continue their quest. The Welsh side, under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have enjoyed resounding success with two promotions in two years.
Wrexham’s promotion celebrations
A two-year battle to win promotion from the National League came first, something that they achieved in 2023 by amassing a record-breaking 111 points to secure automatic promotion. Not satisfied with that, Wrexham followed it up with a second-straight promotion after finishing second in League Two to earn a spot in League One for the 2024/25 campaign.
“In 10 years’ time, the plan has and always will be the Premier League.” - Ryan Reynolds
Just 18 months on from that moment, only one league separates them from the Blades. If Wrexham want to join them in the Championship and continue their rise to the top, they won’t have it easy with League One among the most difficult leagues to conquer in the English pyramid.
The Task Ahead: Eight Ex-Premier League Sides Stand in Their Way
In the upcoming 2024/25 season, the third tier will boast no less than eight former Premier League sides. They include Bolton, Barnsley, Blackpool, Wigan, Charlton, and Reading, as well as Birmingham City and Huddersfield who just suffered relegation from the second tier.
Bolton’s Premier League days
This will be a real acid test for Wrexham as they mix it with clubs who have experienced the glitz and glamour they hope to achieve in the years to come. However, it also represents a stark warning of how fleeting life at the top can be when you get there and a lesson in enjoying success when it comes your way.
Bolton: The Trotters’ Rise and Fall
Bolton enjoyed 11 years in the Premier League and made a pretty big splash as one of the divisions’ biggest overachievers. After preserving their top-flight status, the Trotters went big in the transfer market with stars including Ivan Campo, Youri Djorkaeff, Jay-Jay Okocha, Nicolas Anelka, and Fernando Hierro adding a truly elite level to their game.
Bolton’s UEFA Cup adventure
Barnsley: The Tykes’ Brief Premier League Stint
After 99 years of trying, Barnsley earned promotion to the Premier League in 1997 under Danny Wilson. Their one and only season in the top flight didn’t exactly go to plan, with the Tykes relegated with just 35 points, but that didn’t stop them from enjoying a 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield thanks to an Ashley Ward goal.
Barnsley’s Anfield win
Birmingham City: The Blues’ Fall from Grace
Birmingham City are the newest additions to League One and it’s been quite a fall from grace since the early 2000s when they flitted between the top two divisions. In their seventh season in the Premier League, the club suffered relegation in 2011 in a bizarre season that also saw them beat Arsenal in the League Cup final thanks to Obafemi Martin’s late winner.
Birmingham City’s League Cup win
Blackpool: The Tangerines’ Brief Premier League Adventure
Everyone loves an underdog, and Ian Holloway’s side were certainly backed by the neutral to stick around in the Premier League. Unfortunately, after just one season, they suffered an immediate return to the EFL and haven’t been back since.
Blackpool’s Premier League days
Charlton: The Addicks’ Rise and Fall
Charlton arrived in the Premier League with a bang in 1998 after beating Sunderland in a thrilling play-off final victory at Wembley. While they went straight back down, they were promoted again as Champions in 2000 and even challenged for a top-four finish in 2003/04 before dropping to seventh.
Charlton’s Premier League days
Huddersfield: The Terriers’ Brief Premier League Stint
Few expected Huddersfield to get promoted in 2017, but they certainly made their presence known in the Premier League during their two seasons in the top flight. The Terriers earned a 16th-place finish in their first season under David Wagner but went down with a whimper the following year after picking up just 16 points.
Huddersfield’s Premier League days
Reading: The Royals’ Rise and Fall
After a record-breaking 106 points in the 2005/06 Championship season, Reading were ready to rub shoulders with the big boys. The Royals defied the odds and finished eighth in the 2006/07 Premier League season with Leroy Lita and Kevin Doyle scoring 27 goals between them.
Reading’s Premier League days
Wigan: The Latics’ Rise to the Top
Wigan earned promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history in 2005 and enjoyed eight consecutive seasons in the top flight as then-chairman Dave Whelan made his dream come true. Their first season saw them earn a 10th-place finish and they reached a first major cup final as they lost 4-0 to Man United in the League Cup.
Wigan’s FA Cup win
It would take a brave person to bet against Wrexham continuing their rise and reaching the Premier League before 2033 as targeted by Reynolds. But while their sporting achievements over the last two years can’t be underestimated, Wrexham are mixing with some of English football’s iconic clubs now, and as a result, they’ll need to rise to the challenge if they’re to upset the apple cart and pip these sides to promotion.
