Wrexham have made headlines as they ‘Hollywood club’ in recent years and the success of the club has become worldwide news.
This was a club and a city in need of a boost, in need of something to really get behind and believe in.
Out of nowhere, up stepped Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds to launch an unexpected takeover, leading the club into a new era.
Wrexham have now secured back-to-back promotions, flying from the National League to League One at breakneck speed.
Non-Wrexham fans will point to the spending as being the key factor, but how many times have we seen teams throw money at signings and not get it right?
Wrexham have got it right on and off the field, finding the right players – and characters – to achieve those promotions whilst uniting everybody behind the club.
Wrexham’s rise has been documented for the world to see thanks to the hit documentary series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, with fans in America taking to the club thanks McElhenney and Reynolds.
READ MORE: Who is Rob McElhenney? Profile, movies, TV shows, wife and more
Campobasso – the Italian Wrexham?
There may have been some scepticism from some when two Hollywood stars wanted to come in and take over Wrexham.
American owners have been heavily criticised in the past, from the Glazers at Manchester United to George Gillett and Tom Hicks at Liverpool.
McElhenney and Reynolds have helped improve the reputation a little and it’s a similar story at Campobasso in Italy.
We would forgive you for having not heard of Campobasso, who currently sit in Serie D over in Italian football.
They have been dubbed as the ‘Italian Wrexham’ by ESPN though after they spoke to one of their celebrity owners.
The club is owned by the North Sixth Group and it features American TV stars Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, who starred in the soap ‘All My Children’ and now have a daytime talk show together.
That celebrity influence has contributed to the Wrexham comparisons and their lowly status right now is also reminiscent of what McElhenney and Reynolds walked into at Wrexham.
Consuelos told ESPN of how he has convinced the Campobasso fanbase of his seriousness in the project and of his commitment to the cause in the long term.
That sounds very familiar and there may yet be another layer to this Wrexham comparison to come.
READ MORE: Who is Ryan Reynolds? Profile, Films, TV Shows, Wife and Children
Campobasso could mirror Wrexham success
If you look at the Serie D, Group F table, you will see Campobasso sitting right at the top.
With just two league games to go, Campobasso are two points clear of second-placed L’Aquila and their fate is in their own hands.
Campobasso have lost just four games this season and they are now so close to mirroring Wrexham in terms of winning promotion this season.
Campobasso would move from the fourth tier to the third, just like Wrexham, and that would be a huge step forward for Ripa and Consuelos.
The comparison to Wrexham has actually been made before and Consuelos has previously told The Italian Football Podcast that he would love a friendly against Wrexham one day.
Maybe that will materialise in the future, with Campobasso writing their own story – it just so happens to look pretty similar to Wrexham’s right now!
READ MORE: Welcome to Wrexham Season 3: Release Date, How to Watch, Trailer, Episode Schedule and More
The post 'The Italian Wrexham' nearing promotion as Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds success could be mirrored appeared first on The Wrexham Insider.