Topics: Wrexham, Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds, Football, EFL Championship
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has revealed the message he sent to club director Humphrey Ker prior to Paul Mullin's move to the North Wales club.
The Red Dragons produced a historic three consecutive promotions to climb from the National League to the Championship under Phil Parkinson and the input of Hollywood co-owners McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds was the not-so-secret sauce that supercharged their ascent.
One of the most important moves Parkinson and the club made was the surprise signing of Mullin in 2021.
The Liverpudlian had just fired Cambridge United into League One and was regarded as a proven goalscorer in the bottom half of the EFL.
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His capture was a show of force from Reynolds and McElhenney, who persuaded him to drop into the National League.
Mullin was instrumental in Wrexham's first two promotions, scoring 91 league goals in total across four seasons in three divisions.
But with Parkinson working towards a famous promotion to the second tier, Mullin's playing time and impact were more limited in League One in an injury-hit 2024-25 and he was expected to move on with the Championship being deemed beyond his reach.
Wrexham and Mullin have agreed a loan deal with Wigan Athletic that will see the 30-year-old move to the Latics for the 2025-26 season.
Wigan, who appointed Ryan Lowe as their manager in March, finished 15th in League One last month and will hope that Mullin can belatedly translate his deadly goalscoring skills to the third division.
It's an emotional parting of the ways for the club and their player, who has enjoyed a close connection with Reynolds and McElhenney throughout his time at the Racecourse.
McElhenney posted a gallery of images on his Instagram page by way of a tribute and it included an exchanges between himself and Ker, who has served as the co-owners man on the ground since they purchased the club.
"Are we able to get people of this caliber?" he asked.
While the response suggested that it was 'highly unlikely', Mullin was indeed signed and the rest is history.
"I’d like to wish Paul all the best for his loan move," Parkinson told the official club website.
"It’s a good opportunity for him to get back to playing regular first-team football and I’m sure he’s going to be a great signing for Wigan Athletic."
Reynolds also paid tribute to Mullin, posting on X: "I can’t imagine seeing Mulls on loan and in another kit. We wouldn’t be where we are without his heart, skill and work ethic. We love you."
