Rob McElhenney criticises rules over Wrexham women's football team pay
The Wrexham FC co-owner shared his complaints on Welcome to Wrexham
What did you miss?
Rob McElhenney has hit out at the limitations that have been put in place for women's football, namely the regulations over pay that stop him and Wrexham FC co-owner Ryan Reynolds from paying players more money.
The actor shared his concerns for the pay disparity in the third episode of Welcome to Wrexham's newest season, which examined the exploits of the women's football team. Disney+ viewers were first introduced to the team in season 2, and saw how the players were able to get promoted from the amateur league to the Adran Premier which is the top Welsh women's football league.
At the time the players explained how they were unpaid whilst part of the team, and in the new season it was revealed that they can now earn money after the team's promotion. But McElhenney was adamant that he and Reynolds find it frustrating that they can't do more.
What, how, and why?
In the episode, members of Wrexham's women's football team spoke about what it's been like since their team was promoted, saying that they're now able to earn money from playing but they still have to balance multiple jobs.
McElhenney expressed his concern over pay for the women's team, saying: "We asked last year when they were in the amateur stats could we pay them, the answer was no by rule, and in this league there are limits on what you're allowed to pay them.
"Just another one of the really fun UK regulations in football that hold you back from the things you want to do," he added, making his frustration with the rules known.
Gemma Owen, who is the head of women's football operations at Wrexham, said of the players: "They've got full time jobs outside of football, they've got school, they've got university, but the football side of it [has] now moved from recreational, it's gone into employment."
Several members of the women's football team shared insight into their lives, with several members explaining that they are continuing their day jobs even if they are now seen as semi-pro players. Rosie Hughes, who works as a prison guard, said: "We get paid, and don't get me wrong it's not much but it's more than I've ever been paid before, and with my work life balance I'm now part-time at the prison."
Defender Phoebe Davies explained: "I think I'd be lying if I said it was easy, I go from match day to marketing meetings to mum mode, sometimes multiple times a day."
What else happened on Welcome to Wrexham?
Elsewhere in the episode, Defender Mia "Robbo" Roberts spoke of how difficult it has been since she was dropped from the team after they were promoted.
When the women's team earned their promotion, Roberts said: "To be honest I feel like I've had one of the best years of my life, I feel like I've peaked at 19. I don't know how I'm going to top this." But it was soon revealed that she was not being called back to play on the team.
Executive Director Humphrey Ker explained: "One of the challenges of success is as you progress up the pyramid is you can't keep the same team together, one example is Mia Roberts who is a brilliant servant to the club and is a popular well-loved figure around the place, ultimately did not make the cut for this season."
Watch the trailer for Welcome to Wrexham season 3:
Roberts shared that she learned she'd been released from the team via social media, when she saw pictures of several teammates signing new contracts, and that she felt lost after the decision, but going to university gave her "another purpose".
"When you're released, the reason at the end of the day is that you're not good enough," Roberts said.
"I think to be told that about something you've done since you could practically walk, that's ridiculously difficult. I think at first you start thinking am I good enough to even play? Should I continue playing? Should I even bother?
"It was really difficult, I'm really lucky that I've got a great group of friends and family around me to support me through that."
New episodes of Welcome to Wrexham season 3 air every Friday on Disney+.
