The Welcome To Wrexham docuseries has been a massive hit in the States, and now Llay Welfare could be living the American dream after an Arizona businessman fell in love with the Ardal League club. RJ Carvis is one of thousands from across the pond to get hooked by the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney-inspired documentary that features Wrexham’s rise since the Hollywood movie stars bought the Reds.

He made a pilgrimage to Wrexham’s iconic Racecourse ground for the home game against Gillingham back in November as well as taking in other landmarks, like the Turf pub and the memorial at Gresford Colliery. And it was there that the Llay story started to unfold.

Llay Welfare chairman Keiron Fox said: “When he was at Gresford Colliery, RJ was told about Llay Miners Welfare. He turned up and loves our story; the history of the club, the Institute, of course the building. He was so taken by it, that he wanted us to become his adopted Welsh club in Arizona.”

Carvis, has worked for LA Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and New York Mets, and is now Director of Sales and Marketing at sports therapy specialists, Mito Red Light. From his Peoria base in Arizona, 34-year-old Carvis, now a committee member with Llay, has revamped the club’s website and spoke of his dreams of seeing ‘The Welly’ played Cymru Premier League football and in Europe.

‘Why Wrexham?’ has always been a question thrown at Messrs McElhenney and Reynolds and Carvis’ interest in a club founded back in 1931, also makes you ponder ‘Why Llay?’

“What Ryan and Rob have done at Wrexham has created a global interest in the club,” said Carvis, whose first link with Wrexham was via Reds goalkeeper Mark Howard. “He showed an interest in the science of what we do at Mito Red Light and, of course, I’d watched the documentary and Ryan and Rob have made it work from day one. The interest is unbelievable. Even in Phoenix there’s 60 fans who regularly rent venues to watch Wrexham games lives.

THREE WISE MEN: RJ Carvis, Keiron Fox, and Mike Gadies have big plans for Llay Welfare. And I think every State will now have a select group of Wrexham fans. “I went to watch Wrexham play Manchester United in San Diego and most of the fans there were supporting Wrexham. There is so much interest here and after talking to Keiron, I’d like to think there’d be interest in Llay Welfare too. The club has a tremendous history and we want fans to engage with the club and become involved.

“I obviously don’t have the money that Ryan and Rob have got but I want to invest my time into the club and why shouldn’t we be thinking of playing in the Cymru Premier League and European football in the future. I know the FAW announced big plans about the future of Welsh football, including Friday night games. We, at Llay, have been speaking about doing that for months as we believe there’d be an audience in America to stream Llay’s games.”

It’s not just interest overseas that is important to Llay and if Friday night does become their night for playing matches, both chairman Fox and manager Mike Gadie, hope that Wrexham fans would take in Llay games. “If Wrexham are playing on the Saturday, it would be great to see Wrexham fans taking in our games,” said Fox.

Carvis believes Wrexham’s pulling power, brought on by the Hollywood stars’ sexy ownership, has made the Reds a lot of football fans’ second team football matches take place at The Ring.- if not the first one they now follow. And he hopes the interest will spread to Llay, who could be just one league away from mixing it with Welsh football’s elite if they finish in the Ardal North West League’s top two next month. If Llay, whose management team has worked wonders to go toe-to-toe with former Welsh champions Rhyl and highly ambitious league leaders Flint Mountain, can win all their remaining games, they will lift the title.

And second spot would see them take on the runners-up in the North East League for the right to compete in Cymru North next season. Plans are afoot on and off the field to make that dream become a reality.

Chairman Fox, a bricklayer by trade, says plans to improve the facilities - including a 250-seater stand and a television gantry - are afoot. “We’re excited at what RJ has said to us,” said Fox, a former Llay player and one of many volunteers who make sure “Anyone who is involved in a club knows that they rely on volunteers to make things happen. We all have to do our bit. Mike, our manager, lines the pitch; I do my bit so to get the expertise and marketing knowledge that RJ is offering, is great for us.

“We know the appeal Wrexham has in America now and having RJ on board will hopefully boost the profile of our club.”

Llay Welfare is already a sporting hub with the bowls and cricket teams having enjoyed success over the years. And Gadie is keen to look after the future players, who may be pulling on their black and white shirt in years to come.

“The club is really excited to be setting up our very first junior section for next year if anyone has a child in Year 1 currently who is looking to get involved in some fun mini football please contact the club on first team.lwfc@gmail.com”