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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Setback for Wrexham's plans to upgrade academy</li><li>Currently have fourth-tier status</li><li>Wrexham to travel to US for pre-season</li></ul>

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney hit with huge blow in bid to compete for best young players

League One

Wrexham

Exeter

The Red Dragons were planning to improve their youth infrastructure in a bid to compete to sign some of the best young players ahead of competing in the English third division for the first time in 20 years. However, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5623348/2024/07/08/wrexham-academy-grading-category-three/" target="_blank">The Athletic</a> reports that their appeal to get Category 3 status for their academy has been rejected.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The report further claims that the appeal, which remains under trial, will be turned down due to the club's facilities which have not met the required standards. With the fourth-tier setup at the moment, the club can only run teams from the U-17 category upwards. The news comes as a massive blow to the youth players who had registered themselves for the club's underage teams.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The first team has seen plenty of investment since the arrival of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as club owners in February 2021. The Welsh side has since then secured back-to-back promotions and will now compete in League One in the 2024/25 season. Along with the main squad, the owners also have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-more-investment-message-wrexham-big-plans-area-saving-money/blt6b8118d09c6c7bf8#cs3df208453500a3dc" target="_blank">grand plans to nurture the women's team as well as the youth </a>system.

DID YOU KNOW?

Phil Parkinson's men will jet you to the<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/wrexham-pre-season-2024-tour-fixtures-results-tickets-watch/blt377345a968e89594" target="_blank"> US for pre-season</a> where they are scheduled to face Premier League teams including Chelsea and Bournemouth in friendly clashes.

WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney hit with huge blow in bid to compete for best young players | Goal.com

Wrexham&apos;s plan to upgrade their youth system has hit roadblock as their appeal to achieve category 3 has been rejected.