So was it the Hollywood affect that precipitated the fan teams to take off? Or was it the documentary sequence?
“It’s the underdog story,” defined Pedersen. “You want the small teams to succeed. It’s a traditional club, and one of the oldest.”
But it wasn’t just the story that the Norwegian fans fell in love with.
“We can relate to the Welsh people. When we are there, it’s almost like meeting another Norwegian. That’s why we enjoy it so much when we visit, because we’re almost the same.
“Norway is a small nation with a number of hard-working folks – we see ourselves the identical.
“They are so welcoming – their hospitality and friendliness. That’s why I love the Welsh people.”
Paul Jones is the chairman of the Wrexham Supporters Federation (WSF), who maintain common conferences for the official fan teams and, in flip, feed again any ideas to the club.
The WSF was shaped in 2007, beginning with UK-based teams reminiscent of London Reds and Manchester Reds. “Nowadays we’re international,” Jones says proudly.
“It’s very surreal at times but I welcome it with open arms.
“It’s gathered tempo. Prior to Reynolds and McElhenney taking up the club the typical American did not even know what Wales was, by no means thoughts Wrexham – and that is completely modified.”
There are 25 supporters’ groups as part of the WSF – including the Bavarian Red Dragons, in Germany, and the Ukrainian Dragons. But, outside of the WSF, there are fan groups in Iceland, Thailand, Australia and more.
“The first time I visited Wrexham I fell in love with the folks, initially,” explained Matthias Matthiasson, founder of the Wrexham Icelandic Supporters Club.
“It’s a tremendous city with amazingly variety folks, and the folks make the club.
“I absolutely feel an emotional connection to the club and the people of Wrexham.
“Soccer is the most well-liked sport in Iceland and, just like in Wrexham, the groups are nothing with out the supporters.”
