- The site was broken into at some point over the recent Christmas period
- Among the machines stolen was a tractor, with the property also damaged
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Thieves have stolen expensive machinery and equipment from the construction site of Wrexham’s new academy training ground, according to reports in Wales.
Under the Hollywood ownership of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Welsh club has enjoyed an impressive rise from the lower rungs of the football pyramid.
Phil Parkinson’s side booked the first of back-to-back promotions in the spring of 2023, rising up to League Two, before elevation to League One ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
And with impressive results on the pitch have come wholesale changes away from it as Reynolds and McElhenney have sought to upgrade the club’s facilities.
One of the investments the owners are seeking to make is in the youth side, with work starting on a multi-million pound development in the Wrexham village of Rossett.
But just months after tentative work started on the site, it was targeted by burglars over the Christmas period.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham fell victim to a burglary over Christmas
The construction site of the club’s new multi-million training ground was targeted by thieves
The club’s plans for the project were briefly hindered as they sought to receive planning permission despite the opposition of some locals
As per Wales Online, local police confirmed that a John Deere tractor and a Bateson trailer were among the machinery taken during the suspectated break-in, which is thought to have happened between December 20 and January 3.
During the burglary, a padlocked gate was also broken on-site.
A spokesperson for the club confirmed that the club had filed a police report, and would look to recover the costs of the stolen items via Wrexham’s insurers.
The burglary is the latest impediment to the club’s plans to convert the site, which have been checkered by objections from neighbours and hinderances to planning permission.
Work is believed to have started on the project, which will aim to boost the club’s youth recruitment and development as they chase their dream of featuring in the Premier League, ahead of being granted planning permission.
Proposals for the project were later backed by Wrexham Council’s planning committee last month, however, with the go-ahead rubber-stamped for work to proceed.
On the pitch, Wrexham are targetting their third promotion in as many seasons, and currently sit third in League One, level on points with second-placed Wycomber Wanderers.
Most recently, the team bounced back from a 2-1 defeat to Barnsley on the road with a 1-0 home win against Peterborough on Saturday.
Parkinson’s players will now enjoy a prolonged break before their return to competitive action due to postponements, with their next fixture their meeting with Shrewsbury next Thursday.
