It promises to be an emotional affair when Rob McElhenney takes his Wrexham side back to his beloved Philadelphia - but the comedian is not exactly expecting a warm reception.
The "It's Always Sunny" actor's team won hearts and minds across the globe following their successful promotion push last term, which saw them triumph over rivals Notts County to reach the EFL via automatic promotion. Now McElhenney and his co-owner Ryan Reynolds are taking the North Wales outfit across the pond for a tour of the USA.
Wrexham will head stateside for matches against Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea, with a clash against LA Galaxy's second string also in the diary. The exhibition game against Philadelphia Union II will be of particular intrigue, with McElhenney famously having been born and raised in the Pennsylvanian city.
In spite of the pride Philadelphians will undoubtedly feel towards the Hollywood star in light of his successes as both an actor and, more recently, as a football chairman, the 46-year-old is embracing the prospect of being on the receiving end of some jeers. Despite being one of the city's most beloved sons, McElhenney seems to be at peace with potentially being the pantomime villain on home turf this time around.
Taking to Twitter following the announcement of the final stop on Wrexham's upcoming US tour, the funnyman quipped: "I will most certainly be booed. That’s a badge of honor in Philly. I’m just glad it won’t be snowing."
As the historic club gears up for its first League Two campaign in a decade and a half, it is clear that Wrexham's players and staff are seeing the tour as a unique chance to prepare for the new season. With the Red Dragons having gained new fans in the US as a result of their triumphs last term and the "Welcome to Wrexham TV" series, the trip to the country will also present an opportunity to bring the team to a new audience.
Manager Phil Parkinson has embraced the prospect of leading his team out against top class opposition, while also getting to experience the extent of the support for the club stateside. He told Wrexham's club website: “We're looking forward to our tour to America in the summer.
“The Club has had a small taste of the support we have over there, and it will be great to take our first-team players over to see that support first-hand."
He added that he is excited to play in the hometown of his co-chairman, saying: “The matches scheduled will be a good warm-up for our first season back in the EFL, and we’re looking forward to visiting Philadelphia, the home of our co-chairman, Rob McElhenney, for what promises to be a competitive game and a terrific ending to our summer tour.”
