Close Menu
SportyVibes.live –

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Could Jon Jones, Conor McGregor compete on UFC 2026 White House card?

    July 11, 2025

    PEP, Supportive Care, and More

    July 11, 2025

    Can 49ers rebound after disappointing 2024? How Christian McCaffrey’s return, remade defense impact outlook

    July 11, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Could Jon Jones, Conor McGregor compete on UFC 2026 White House card?
    • PEP, Supportive Care, and More
    • Can 49ers rebound after disappointing 2024? How Christian McCaffrey’s return, remade defense impact outlook
    • Plans to cut tax-free allowance on hold after backlash
    • NBA Summer League Day 1: Ryan Nembhard steals spotlight from Bronny James, Cooper Flagg
    • England v India, third Test: Mark Wood on Jofra Archer return
    • How to Be Less Controlling: 4 Helpful Tips From Therapists
    • 20 Best Prime Day Outdoor Deals of 2025 to Get Out There for Less
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest Vimeo
    SportyVibes.live –SportyVibes.live –
    • Home
    • News
    • Cricket
    • Combat
    • Fitness
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Gear
    • Highlights
    SportyVibes.live –
    Home»Highlights»Wrexham rise showcases English football pyramid in US, says Anton Ferdinand
    Highlights

    Wrexham rise showcases English football pyramid in US, says Anton Ferdinand

    Sports NewsBy Sports NewsJuly 11, 2025No Comments4 Mins Read
    Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram Email
    Download app from appStore
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Wrexham’s exploits since being bought by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have helped lift “the bonnet” on lower-league English football and boosted its popularity in the United States, former West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand told AFP.

    The 40-year-old, who is now an ambassador for the Hammers, said Wrexham’s climb up the English Football League (EFL) pyramid had “opened people’s eyes across the pond on such a great league”.

    Advertisement

    The Wales-based club have scarcely looked back since Reynolds and McElhenney’s surprise purchase of them for around £2 million ($2.7 million) in 2021.

    Wrexham are just one promotion away from the Premier League after becoming the first club from the top five divisions of English football to secure three consecutive promotions.

    Ferdinand has been a keen follower of football in the US since West Ham played in the 2008 MLS All-Star game against a team featuring David Beckham.

    He cites CBS Sports’ four-year contract to broadcast 250 EFL and League Cup matches a season until the end of the 2027-28 campaign as evidence of the impact Wrexham have had.

    Advertisement

    “I think what Wrexham have definitely done is open people’s eyes to outside the Premier League,” he told AFP in an interview.

    “So for people, especially Americans who only see really the Premier League, Wrexham has allowed people to look underneath the bonnet, which is the Football League.

    “It is the reason why the Premier League is so great.”

    But Ferdinand believes lifting trophies and reaching the pinnacle of the English game should not be the only barometer of success, and is a champion of grassroots football.

    Ferdinand, who played over 130 times for West Ham, said a recent visit to the US highlighted to him how broad a cross-section of American youth are interested in the sport.

    Advertisement

    Ferdinand ran an assembly and football clinic in May for over 150 students at Washington Elementary school in Kearny, New Jersey.

    “The Premier League is massive for them over there, you know, and I can certainly see the way it’s changed over the years,” he said.

    “You know, it’s not just one demographic of people that like soccer, it’s becoming more diverse.

    “A lot more different generations that want to tap into it.”

    – Similar backgrounds –

    Ferdinand, who played 17 times for England’s Under-21s, also visited a local club called Ironbound, who provide opportunities for players of all backgrounds to participate and forge a career in football.

    Advertisement

    One barrier to entry though is prohibitive costs, which in some cases can be as much as $5,000 just to register a child to play. That is before factoring in travel expenses for matches in other states.

    Ferdinand’s family may be football royalty — brother Rio and cousin Les both played for England and went to World Cups — but that has been achieved by hard graft.

    He saw similarities between his background and the youngsters he met at Ironbound, based in Newark.

    “It wasn’t a well-to-do area,” he said.

    “It was similar to where we grew up, and there’s a lot of challenges that come with growing up in places like Peckham (London).

    Advertisement

    “We have a lot of decisions that need to be made and the wrong decision, if we’re being quite frank, could end up being the wrong one for you in terms of life.”

    West Ham are a historic club and their community-based ethos, Ferdinand says, is the reason why there are over 40 official fan clubs spread over the US.

    “I’m indebted to West Ham United because they allowed me to be Anton Ferdinand, not Rio’s brother,” he said.

    “If I never had that, I probably would never have made it.”

    Ferdinand says he can also relate to the ‘American dream’.

    “You know there’s a lot of similarities for me with these kids,” he said.

    Advertisement

    “We talked about the American dream and I had my own West Ham dream, which was to play for the club I supported and loved as a kid.

    “I was able to fulfil it.

    “For them it’s going to be a rollercoaster of a ride, but it’s how you deal with adversity and stuff that comes your way, whether it’s good or bad.”

    pi/mw/jc

    Anton English Ferdinand football pyramid rise showcases Wrexham
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleFederal agents clash with protesters during ICE raid at Southern California farm
    Next Article IND vs ENG | Day Root-ed in tradition: Lord’s Test begins with a vintage feel as England grind it out on tricky surface | Cricket News
    Sports News
    • Website

    Related Posts

    Highlights

    Can 49ers rebound after disappointing 2024? How Christian McCaffrey’s return, remade defense impact outlook

    July 11, 2025
    Highlights

    Djokovic faces Sinner in Wimbledon blockbuster, Alcaraz takes on Fritz

    July 11, 2025
    Highlights

    Gareth Bale confirms consortium’s ‘brand new offer’ to buy Cardiff City

    July 11, 2025
    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Top Posts

    Lisa Nandy removes herself from final decision on leader of football regulator | Lisa Nandy

    June 2, 202551 Views

    Beat writer doubts that the Lakers can land Walker Kessler

    June 12, 202521 Views

    Mubi, A Streamer For Cinephiles, Is Now Officially Indispensable

    June 2, 202511 Views
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • TikTok
    • WhatsApp
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Latest Reviews
    Football

    Robertson returns as County stick with manager Cowie

    Sports NewsJune 2, 2025
    Highlights

    Spanish GP: Max Verstappen admits George Russell crash ‘shouldn’t have happened’

    Sports NewsJune 2, 2025
    Highlights

    Max Verstappen-George Russell collision: F1 world champion admits move ‘was not right’

    Sports NewsJune 2, 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest tech news from FooBar about tech, design and biz.

    Most Popular

    Warriors add sharpshooter in second round of new NBA mock from Yahoo

    June 2, 20250 Views

    Erin Blanchfield rips Maycee Barber after UFC Fight Night cancellation: ‘She needs to fix her life’

    June 2, 20250 Views

    Eagles have $55 million in dead money salary cap

    June 2, 20250 Views
    Our Picks

    Could Jon Jones, Conor McGregor compete on UFC 2026 White House card?

    July 11, 2025

    PEP, Supportive Care, and More

    July 11, 2025

    Can 49ers rebound after disappointing 2024? How Christian McCaffrey’s return, remade defense impact outlook

    July 11, 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    • About Us
    • Disclaimer
    • Get In Touch
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Condtition
    © 2025 sportyvibes. Designed by Pro.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.