Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson is hoping his side can maintain their incredible home form when they host Birmingham City tonight in one of the most watched third tier games in English football history.
Wrexham’s Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney go head-to-head against Birmingham’s American owners that include Tom Brady.
Such is the enormous interest in the game, it is being broadcast live on television in both the UK and US as well as nearly 3,000 US fans watching it on ‘immersive’ domes in Los Angeles and Dallas.
The calm before the storm ⏳
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— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) January 23, 2025
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Experienced Parkinson focused on three points
Parkinson is a veteran of the English game and, while he will be aware of the external interest, his sole aim will be to close the gap on League One leaders Birmingham.
Blues have 56 points, five more than third-placed Wrexham and two ahead of Wycombe Wanderers in second, and have two games in hand on each.
Wrexham’s home form has maintained their promotion push with the North Wales club having won 12 and drawn two of their 14 league games at the Racecourse Ground this season.
Parkinson told the Wrexham Leader newspaper: “We are very proud of our home form, not just this season but over the last few years.
“It is something which has been key to our success and this game is right up there.
“It is like a cup tie feel to it with the build-up and the aim is to keep our home run going.”
Wrexham not in great form
Wrexham’s promotion push has been hampered by two defeats in their last three games – at Barnsley and Shrewsbury – and they will be looking to gain revenge on Birmingham for the 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture in September.
Need something to get you in the mood for tonight?
Watching this video should work. 🍿
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) January 23, 2025
“It’s a good game for us. A home game against a team top of the league,” added Parkinson.
“You can’t ask for any more, it’s a mouthwatering clash.
“A lot was made of the first one, it was a terrific atmosphere and it will be no different at The Racecourse. It will be bouncing.
“Of course, there’s a different level of media attention for this game with the two clubs’ profiles and the American ownership of both clubs, there has been a huge spotlight on us both.
“It’s a game when the fixtures came out that everybody was eagerly anticipating but we have got to keep our focus on the 90 minutes.”
Wrexham benefit from Hollywood investment
The investment from Reynolds and McElhenney has transformed Wrexham’s prospects, seeing them gain promotion back to the Football League before progressing through League Two at the first attempt.
Parkinson said: “For our supporters, these nights are special because this club for 15 years was out of the Football League.
“We have now got ourselves in League One and we are meeting Birmingham live on television with an incredible profile on the game.
“It shows how far the club has come in such a short space of time that we are being talked about along with the likes of Birmingham who have been a Championship and Premier League club in the past.
“But we are ambitious and we are looking to give a really good account of ourselves.
“At the start of the season, with the strength of the division and the spending power across the board, to be where we are we would definitely have taken it.
“Now it is up to us to capitalise on the position we have worked hard to get ourselves in.”
Wrexham may be helped by Birmingham suffering a mini injury crisis with Paik Seung-ho, Tomoki Iwata, Willum Willumsson and Kesha Anderson all doubtful.
