Joey Harrington, a former NFL quarterback, may seem an unlikely fan of fifth-tier English football club Wrexham AFC. However, the Oregon native explains that he and his family routinely wake up early to watch the live games taking place over 4,750 miles away in the UK, likening Wrexham’s rise to his own career progression. Harrington, the grandson and son of accomplished football players, led his college team, the University of Oregon, to national prominence before being drafted third overall in 2002. His professional career included stints at the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, and New Orleans Saints, but all the while, he had no idea he would retire to support a small UK soccer club.
Harrington’s interest in Wrexham began with the documentary “Welcome to Wrexham”, which chronicles Hollywood celebrities Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ takeover of the club. His two sons had become soccer enthusiasts, and during a family trip to Europe, they made a spontaneous visit to the Welsh club. During this surprise visit, they were warmly welcomed by club staff and players, including Wrexham’s goalkeeper and former England international, Ben Foster. The club’s friendly, family-oriented atmosphere struck a chord with Harrington, making him and his family dedicated fans.
The Harringtons then encountered Wrexham’s co-owners at a college football game at their old university, the University of Oregon. They ended up in a lively conversation on Wrexham and soccer in general, with Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney engaging and welcoming. This experience solidified Harrington’s affection for Wrexham, and he sees similarities between Wrexham’s transformation under Reynolds and McElhenney and his own with the Oregon football program.
Harrington and his family have not yet visited Wrexham for a game but hope to correct that in the coming year. They did attend a pre-season friendly against Manchester United in San Diego, California, last year and this July’s match between Wrexham women’s team and Portland Thorns. This match came shortly after Harrington was confirmed as an investor in the National Women’s Soccer League club Thorns.
Harrington admits that play-acting in men’s football initially turned him off soccer. He regained interest in the sport after watching Christine Sinclair, the sport’s all-time leading international goalscorer, play for the University of Portland. Her athleticism and resilience changed his perspective, leading him to become a fan of women’s soccer. This interest was further cultivated through the documentary “Welcome To Wrexham”.
Harrington points out parallels he observes between his football career and Wrexham’s path under the stewardship of McElhenney and Reynolds. Just as he achieved prominence with the University of Oregon from a place of irrelevance, Harrington sees Wrexham undertaking a similar journey. He reflects on the importance of teamwork, setting common goals and caring for each other in such critical transformations. In his view, Wrexham has what it takes to climb the ranks while maintaining a sense of community and respect – the same elements that defined his own successful sports career.
