WREXHAM, Wales – Having an Emmy Award-winning documentary series telling the story of Wrexham doesn't always help the fast-growing football club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney on the pitch.
It is a big reason why Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen did not join the team in the off-season, Wrexham chief executive Michael Williamson said on Wednesday.
The former Tottenham, Ajax and Inter star became a free agent in July after leaving Manchester United and did not want to be filmed for a behind-the-scenes show like Welcome to Wrexham.
Eriksen famously collapsed and his heart stopped beating while playing for Denmark during a 2021 European Championship game in Copenhagen.
His return to health and performances at the top level – first with Brentford, then with Denmark and United – became a worldwide football story and earned him an offer from Wrexham to join him in his first season in the English League Second Division since 1982.
“I contacted an agent,” Williamson told the That Wrexham podcast“And what was really interesting about the first call was the reaction: 'We don't want his story in the documentary because we've had a lot of opportunities to make a documentary about his story.'
“He thought we called not because of his football ability, but because we wanted a documentary story,” the general manager said. “I was like, ‘Wait. “I didn’t even think about it.” Of course, I know about it, but that’s not why we called.”
Eriksen, 33, who plays with an implanted device that monitors his heart rate, moved to German top-tier club Wolfsburg in September after the transfer window closed.
Wrexham's transfer business eventually improved, Williamson suggested, because his agent disclosed a confidential interest in Eriksen.
“What he did was send a signal to the entire player market, if you will,” Williamson said. “That we are serious about being competitive.”
