Wrexham AFC Women: The Evolution of a Welsh Football Powerhouse
The journey of women's football at Wrexham is a story of resilience, rebirth, and rapid ascent. From its humble beginnings in the early 1990s to becoming a semi-professional force competing on the European stage, the club has navigated multiple incarnations to establish itself as a leader in the Welsh game.
Key Facts
- First Formation: Established in 1993, playing their first match against Chester City.
- Ownership Shift: Acquired by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in November 2020.
- Professional Milestone: Became the first Adran Premier team to sign semi-professional players in June 2023.
- Historic Achievement: Won the Adran Premier title on March 29, 2026.
- European Debut: Qualified for the 2026–27 UEFA Women's Champions League.
The Early Years: 1993–2002
The first iteration of the women's team affiliated with the club began in 1993. After a 2–2 draw against Chester City in July of that year, the team joined the fourth division of the North West Women's Regional Football League (NWWRFL), utilizing Stansty Park for home matches.
The team saw early success with promotions to Division Three and subsequently Division Two by the 1995-96 season. During this period, they made their debut in the Women's FA Cup, though they were defeated by Manchester United. The club reached a peak in 1996, finishing 9th in Division Two and reaching the FAW Women's Cup quarter-finals. However, following relegation and a loss of affiliation with Wrexham, the team operated as Broughton Aerospace before briefly reverting to Wrexham and then becoming Airbus UK Broughton.
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Rebuilding and the Rise to the Premier League: 2003–2018
In 2003, NEWI Wrexham Ladies Football Club was formed, drawing talent from Yale College and the North East Wales Institute (NEWI). This era marked a steady climb through the ranks of the North Wales Women's Football League.
By 2009, the team officially became part of Wrexham F.C. and adopted the name Wrexham Ladies FC. They were instrumental in founding the Welsh Premier Women's League, winning the Northern Division in the 2011–12 season. Despite a third-place finish when the league went national in 2012–13, the club faced roster challenges in 2015-16, leading to a mid-season withdrawal from the Premier League.
Reform and the Reynolds-McElhenney Era: 2018–2023
The club reformed as Wrexham A.F.C. Women in 2018, starting again in the bottom tier of the North Wales Women's Football League. Under manager Luke Wynne, they quickly secured promotion to Division One after winning the North Wales Women's Division Two league cup.
A pivotal turning point occurred in November 2020 when Canadian-American actor Ryan Reynolds and American actor Rob McElhenney purchased Wrexham A.F.C. through RR McReynolds Company LLC. Following a restructure of Welsh football by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), the team joined the newly created Tier 2 Adran North.
The club's momentum peaked on March 26, 2023, when they won the Adran North championship. A subsequent 1–0 playoff victory against Briton Ferry Llansawel on April 16 secured their promotion to the top-flight Adran Premier.
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Professionalization and European Ambitions: 2023–Present
Upon entering the Adran Premier, Wrexham made history on June 27, 2023, by signing ten players to semi-professional contracts—the first such move in the league's history. This professional shift led to a 3rd-place finish in 2024 and the acquisition of their first UEFA licence in March 2024.
The club expanded its global footprint in July 2024 with a tour of the USA, playing matches against SoCal FC, Tigres Femenil U19, and the Portland Thorns FC academy. In May 2025, they became the first non-Asian women's side to compete in the HKFC Soccer Sevens tournament in Asia.
Under the leadership of head coach Jenny Sugarman, appointed in July 2025, the club reached new heights. In February 2026, they paid the first-ever transfer fee in Adran Leagues history to sign Maria Francis-Jones from The New Saints. This era culminated in winning the Adran Trophy and the Adran Premier title on March 29, 2026.
This victory granted them entry into the 2026–27 UEFA Women's Champions League. In the qualifiers, Wrexham defeated Armenian side FC Pyunik 4–2—the first win for a Welsh women's team in the tournament since 2019—before being eliminated by Riga FC.
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Club History Summary
| Period/Date | Key Event | Achievement/Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | First Incarnation | Joined NWWRFL Division 4 |
| 2009 | Integration with Wrexham FC | Became Wrexham Ladies FC |
| 2020 | Ownership Change | Acquired by Reynolds & McElhenney |
| 2023 | Semi-Professional Status | First Adran Premier team to sign pro contracts |
| 2026 | League Champions | Won Adran Premier Title |
| 2026 | European Debut | Won first qualifying match in UWCL |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Wrexham AFC Women become semi-professional?
The club announced the signing of ten semi-professional players on June 27, 2023, making them the first team in the Adran Premier to do so.
Who are the current owners of the club?
The club is owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney through their company, RR McReynolds Company LLC, following their acquisition in November 2020.
What is the club's greatest achievement in the Adran Premier?
Their greatest achievement was winning the Adran Premier title on March 29, 2026, which allowed them to qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League.
Who was the first player signed via a transfer fee in the Adran Leagues?
Maria Francis-Jones became the first player in the history of the Adran Leagues to be signed for a transfer fee when she joined Wrexham from The New Saints on February 8, 2026.
How did the team perform in their first UEFA Women's Champions League appearance?
Wrexham won their first qualifying round match 4–2 against FC Pyunik of Armenia, but were later eliminated after a 4–1 loss to Riga FC of Latvia.