A SENIOR councillor spoke of his delight at how the "Rob and Ryan effect" has put Wrexham on the world stage over recent years.

Much publicity and excitement ensued when Hollywood duo Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds took on Wrexham AFC in 2021.

And the forward momentum generated for the club and the county as a whole seems to have grown and grown ever since.

Nigel Williams, Wrexham Council's lead member for economy and regeneration, described the impact the club and its popular "Welcome to Wrexham" documentary series has had over the last year or so.

He explained: "It's been a fantastic year for Wrexham with the interest we've had from the (football) club, especially - I call it the 'Rob and Ryan effect.'

"The impact it's had, you just couldn't buy it.

"We're on the world stage. I've spoken to people who have been on holiday and they see the Welcome to Wrexham posters all over Europe, North America and Canada.

"It's fantastic exposure.

"When series one came out, the amount of interest took us by surprise.

"No one could have envisaged how big it'd be."

Cllr Williams said the county has become a hotspot, with people travelling from all over the world to see the Racecourse and experience Wrexham culture.

He said: "Some of the stories I've heard are unbelievable.

"People are saying they're flying into the UK to see the sights in London, on to Windsor Castle and then up to Wrexham!

"I heard about one tourist from America who got a taxi from London to the Racecourse to get a shirt, went and had a pint in the Turf and then took that same taxi back down to London - he just kept the meter running!

"And I spoke to a clothing shop in Wrexham who spoke to an American tourist.

"He said he'd booked a holiday to Thailand but flew into Manchester on the Friday, came to a Wrexham match on the Saturday and then went back to Manchester to carry on to Thailand after!

"I'm Wrexham born and bred and I know what a beautiful place our county is, but these stories just blow your mind - and they just keep coming.

"Series two of Welcome to Wrexham has just finished and it's really cemented Wrexham as a destination for people to come and see.

"The thing I like about the series too is that it's 'Welcome to Wrexham' - not just the club.

"It shows all aspects of our community and has even touched on our coal-mining heritage.

"Series three is meant to be out [in 2024] and it's just going to expand and grow even more.

"For the people of Wrexham, it's all about making the most of it."