SToK Racecourse: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney agree sponsorship deal to rename Wrexham’s ground
Wrexham’s historic racecourse site will be known as SToK Racecourse under a new sponsorship deal brokered by Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
This is the first time that the world’s oldest international football stadium – Wales played their first home game against Scotland there on 5 March 1877 – has had a sponsor; the contract comes into force on July 1st.
Welsh-speaking fans of Wrexham now know the stadium as SToK Cae Ras.
SToK Cold Brew Coffee is one of the largest and fastest growing cold brew coffee brands in the United States, according to the official Wrexham website, but is not sold in the UK.
Wrexham co-owners McElhenney and Reynolds announced the stadium’s name change in a light-hearted video, in which they decide to secretly replace the team’s traditional afternoon tea with SToK Cold Brew Coffee to see if they’d notice.
A joint statement from McElhenney and Reynolds said: “We wanted a stadium sponsor that would capture the vitality and energy of Wrexham while, like Welsh, offer a certain learning experience.” SToK Cold Brew Coffee fit the bill perfectly.
“We’re incredibly excited and a little over-caffeinated.”
Wrexham says the placement of a stadium sponsor name at Cae Ras/racecourse was supported by the club’s advisory board, which consists of supporters’ representatives.
Brittney Polka, vice president of ready-to-drink beverages at Danone North America, said: “Some might wonder why a US-based cold brew brand would sponsor a tea-drinking Welsh football team.
“The answer: SToK is all about bold steps.
“We have been fascinated by the history of Wrexham – the team, the fans and the community – and are honored to be welcomed into the Wrexham family.
“We’ll be cheering on the Red Dragons and brewing our cold drinks from afar.”
The racetrack course gets a new name
(PA)
Humphrey Ker, Managing Director of Wrexham said: “We are delighted to welcome SToK to the Wrexham family.
“Having secured the support of the Club Advisory Council and knowing that the majority of fans were happy with the stadium’s sponsorship, we were delighted to partner with one of the fastest growing cold brew coffee brands in the US, realizing their ambitions and further advances the future The trajectory matches our own.”
Last month, Wrexham returned to the English Football League after a 15-year absence after winning the Vanarama National League title with a record tally of 111 points.
SToK will now sponsor Wrexham’s summer tour of America, which will include friendlies against Chelsea and Manchester United.
