A married couple from New Braunfels, Texas, are relocating permanently to Wrexham after discovering the city through the "Welcome to Wrexham" documentary series, saying the place gives them a sense of belonging they had never experienced anywhere in the United States. Jeff Ivey, 62, and Janice Ivey, 65, have visited Wales seven times over the past two and a half years and have now committed to making the move full-time. Jeff is currently house-hunting in Wrexham while Janice remains in the US finalising the sale of their home and awaiting her visa.
The Disney-produced series chronicles Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac's ownership of Wrexham AFC, and it was this show that first drew the couple's attention to the north Wales city. Jeff, who holds UK citizenship through his Scottish ancestry, said their fascination began somewhat by accident rather than through the football club itself.
How did a mix-up with a hoodie lead to a house move?
The couple's connection to Wrexham traces back to 2024, when they watched an episode of the series featuring local band the Declan Swans and decided to order some of the group's merchandise. When the package arrived, however, it contained only one hoodie instead of the two they had ordered.
Jeff emailed to sort out the error, and while a replacement sweatshirt was duly sent, the exchange of messages between him and the band's singer, Michael Hett, kept going. It was Hett who eventually suggested the couple pay Wrexham a visit in person.
"If the order had come just fine, I would have sent an email saying, 'hey, thanks, got it,' and that probably would have been it," said Jeff.
"Because we had to keep emailing after that, it really piqued our interest."
What drew them to the city itself?
Once Jeff and Janice made the transatlantic trip, they found themselves captivated by what they encountered, describing it as falling in love with the place. Jeff said the community spirit in Wrexham stood out immediately, and it was ultimately the people who won them over.
"We just felt so good about the community aspect of Wrexham," Jeff said, adding that it was the people who ultimately convinced them for being so "welcoming and friendly" with a "lack of elitism or snobbery."
Part of the appeal, Jeff explained, comes from a shared working-class heritage. Janice was raised in a mining community in Pennsylvania, while Jeff grew up in Pittsburgh, a city with deep roots in mining, steel and manufacturing much like Wrexham's own industrial past.
"[Wrexham] is a working-class town. It's got a rich legacy in history," he said. "The people and the history definitely reminds us of places that we grew up."
Why did they decide now was the time to move?
The timing coincided with Jeff's retirement from a career in finance, which prompted the couple to consider relocating from Texas altogether, eventually landing on the question of whether Wrexham could become their new home. Each subsequent visit lasted longer than the last, culminating in a month-long stay in April 2026 during which they weighed the decision carefully.
Jeff said the couple methodically listed the advantages and disadvantages of the move, and concluded that the benefits clearly outweighed any downsides. While some friends back home reportedly think the decision is unconventional, the couple's three adult children have been supportive of the move despite the distance involved, and are said to be looking forward to visiting once their parents settle into a new home.
How have they already begun settling in?
Even before finalising their relocation, the Iveys have started embedding themselves in the local community, volunteering with the Wrexham Miners Project and supporting the children's hospice Hope House. Jeff said he is also working to learn Welsh and hopes to contribute to Wrexham's bid to become the UK's City of Culture for 2029.
Wrexham's transformation since the Hollywood takeover has extended well beyond the football club itself. Business growth, promotion of the Welsh language, financial investment, stadium improvements and the rise of the women's team have all been cited as ways the city has benefited from the ownership of Reynolds and McElhenney, according to earlier coverage of the club's Hollywood-driven revival.
Jeff, for his part, said his loyalty to Wrexham AFC has nothing to do with results on the pitch, having already put down a deposit on a season ticket regardless of how the team fares.
"They can get promoted, relegated. It doesn't matter. That's our club," he said.
"We're not coming for the club, that's a plus, we're coming for the community."
What is happening with the club and ownership right now?
The couple's move comes amid a period of continued change and growth for the club. In December 2025, the ownership group led by Reynolds and McElhenney agreed to sell a stake in Wrexham to Apollo Sports Capital, though the two Hollywood figures retained majority control, according to a report on the investment deal.
Wrexham's women's team has also been expanding its horizons, recently beginning its first ever European campaign against Pyunik at the Racecourse Stadium, an occasion that owners Reynolds and Mac shared enthusiasm for, as detailed in coverage of the club's European debut. Meanwhile, manager Phil Parkinson has spoken of the privilege of returning to the United States for pre-season fixtures against Leeds United, Liverpool and Sunderland, as reported in an account of the club's US pre-season tour.
What happens next for the club?
Wrexham are next scheduled to play away against Cardiff City on Monday, 17 August 2026 at 7:00 PM, according to match scheduling data. The fixture will be one of the first tests for the side as it continues its push for further progress up the football pyramid, a journey that has been closely followed by the ongoing documentary series chronicling the club's rise since its Hollywood-backed takeover, as described by a feature on the club's global transformation.
Key Facts
- Jeff (62) and Janice (65) Ivey are relocating from New Braunfels, Texas, to Wrexham after discovering the city through the "Welcome to Wrexham" series.
- Their interest began after an online merchandise order mix-up with local band the Declan Swans led to an ongoing correspondence with singer Michael Hett.
- The couple have visited Wrexham seven times in two and a half years, including a month-long stay in April 2026.
- They are already volunteering with the Wrexham Miners Project and supporting the Hope House children's hospice.
- Wrexham's ownership group sold a stake to Apollo Sports Capital in December 2025, while Reynolds and McElhenney remain majority owners.
- Wrexham's next match is away to Cardiff City on 17 August 2026.
