Rival Executive Issues Urgent Warning to Wrexham Owner Ryan Reynolds After Thrilling 103rd-Minute Promotion

The co-owner of YORK CITY sent a message to EFL rival Ryan Reynolds after her team clinched automatic promotion with a last-minute goal.

Julie-Anne Uggla is eager to surpass fellow Canadian Reynolds, as the Minstermen celebrated ending a decade-long absence from the Football League with a thrilling 1-1 draw against promotion contenders Rochdale.

City achieved their promotion with nearly the last kick of the National League season, and Uggla quickly shifted her focus to competing in League Two next season.

Actor Reynolds played a vital role in elevating Wrexham from the National League to the Championship through three consecutive promotions, as the club aims for a Premier League playoff berth this season.

Uggla, who bought a 51 percent stake with her son Matthew in 2023 to save York from liquidation, remarked: “Our ambition is to move straight through League Two and achieve back-to-back promotions.

“I’m determined to give that other Canadian a run for his money! Currently, there are three Canadians in the EFL.

“We have David Hopkinson, the CEO from Newcastle, Ryan Reynolds from Wrexham, and now Julia-Anne Uggla.”

York striker Josh Stones netted a 103rd-minute equalizer shortly after Mani Dieseruwe became Dale’s hero, heading in a goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

With the need to avoid defeat, it was a nail-biting moment for York as they sought the point that would secure the National League title and coveted automatic promotion.

York had experienced a season similar to Rochdale’s last year, finishing second in the table with 96 points, only behind champions Barnet.

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They were eliminated from the playoffs by Oldham, just a year after narrowly avoiding relegation in 2023/2024.

York manager Stuart Maynard stated, “Double my budget next year.”

Uggla joked, “You know what? You’ll have to go and speak to Elon Musk about that.”

“Words barely capture the emotions we’re feeling right now. We’re incredibly fortunate.

“This has been the most emotional roller coaster I have ever been on, and with four kids and seven grandkids, that says a lot.

“When Rochdale scored and we didn’t, I was almost in tears. But when we scored, I cried for all the right reasons.”

Uggla is advocating for an immediate overhaul of the promotion and relegation system between the EFL and the National League.

In February 2025, 72 clubs in the National League began the ‘3UP campaign’ to secure three promotion spots to League Two for the 2025/26 season.

The businesswoman had addressed a letter to the National League last summer when York failed to secure promotion after losing in the playoff semi-finals to Oldham.

This occurred after York finished second in the league table with 96 points, trailing behind champions Barnet and a significant 28 points ahead of the final playoff position.

She expressed on Saturday: “Rochdale performed fantastically, and they truly deserve to move up from the bottom of my heart.

“It’s tragic that both of us cannot be promoted, and I will undoubtedly be cheering for them in the playoffs. I genuinely feel for them.”