Wrexham's Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have significantly invested in the club during the January transfer window.

The duo shattered the Welsh club's transfer record last month by reportedly spending £2million on Reading's top scorer, Sam Smith. The signing of former Premier League striker Jay Rodriguez from Burnley also made headlines, with his weekly wage rumoured to be around £15,000.

Hull City winger Ryan Longman was another new addition, joining for a fee of approximately £500,000 as manager Phil Parkinson aimed to bolster Wrexham's League One promotion bid. Last summer saw a major overhaul of the Red Dragons' recruitment strategy in anticipation of busy transfer windows like this one.

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This restructure was initiated by new Wrexham chief executive Michael Williamson, who joined ahead of their first season in the third tier in two decades. His initial actions included forming a five-man committee to scrutinise new signings, akin to the model established by Liverpool in 2012.

So far, details about the main individuals involved in transfer deals behind the scenes have largely remained confidential. However, Williamson has now revealed the key figures who comprise the panel.

Here, WalesOnline examines each member, including a former Premier League managerial flop and an Edinburgh Comedy Award winner, and how the committee operates.

What does the transfer committee actually do?

The committee's key role is to scout and evaluate potential new players, deciding who the club should pursue and negotiate with. This structure was implemented in part to maintain accountability for the substantial investment in talent by owners Reynolds and McElhenney.

One of its initial priorities has been to lower the average age of Wrexham's team, which boasts seasoned professionals such as 37-year-old Steven Fletcher and James McClean, aged 35.

Discussing the committee's strategy with The Leader newspaper, Williamson said: "We talk a little bit about the strategy of who we're looking to bring in, the profiles and then ultimately the approach and the financial investment."

"What's been important is how we balance the squad to have players that are veterans, leaders and experienced that can show that dressing room what it means to win, with players that are talented with quality that can also come along for the long-term."

He added: "That's why you see players like Sam Smith, a fantastic, proven goalscorer at this level...still relatively young for a striker at 26. But then at the same time, looking at an opportunity to bring in somebody like Jay Rodriguez at 35 who has made over 200 appearances in the Premier League."

Who is on the committee?

Michael Williamson

Michael Williamson is a notable member of the committee, bringing a wealth of experience from his tenure in senior positions at prestigious clubs like Inter Milan, D. C. United, and Miami FC, before joining Wrexham.

Williamson has been integral to the transfer committee, sharing a strong bond with the manager. He highlighted the dynamics of their alliance at a gathering last month, where he said "Part of that is because I said to him that I will never force a player on you that you don't want, so don't think that will ever happen."

"However, I will put parameters on what we can do, whether it's budgetary, whether it’s looking at the age profile and making sure we know that when we invest in a player, there is a reason for it. That could be that we need to invest in a player to help us get promoted, or we need to invest in a player because once we get promoted, we need to make sure that we have a squad that's been built along the way."

Shaun Harvey

Former EFL chief Shaun Harvey has had a significant influence at Wrexham following the high-profile acquisition by Hollywood investors in February 2021. His role recently changed from an executive director to a non-executive position, yet he continues to be involved in the transfer process.

Harvey worked alongside Parkinson on player signings under Fleur Robinson, Williamson's predecessor, who was known for having a more detached recruitment stance. The 54-year-old brings a contentious history given his past as chief executive with Bradford and Leeds during their financial crises.

He began his role at Wrexham as a special advisor to Reynolds and McElhenney, eventually rising to the post of director. He features prominently in the 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary series, where he is showcased working closely with the famous duo.

Les Reed

Les Reed's tenure as a Premier League manager was infamously brief - lasting only 41 days at the helm of Charlton Athletic with only a single win between November 14 to December 24, 2006. But he later found greater acclaim in his executive role at Southampton.

As head of football development and vice-chairman at the club, he saw much success between 2010 and 2018. In June 2021, he joined the advisory team for Reynolds and McElhenney at Wrexham, contributing to the installment of Parkinson as the club's manager.

Reed's hand in recruitment stretches back even before Williamson's entry. Reflecting on the ingredients for Wrexham's success in May 2024, Reed told The Sun: "It's the combination of Wrexham's culture, history and tradition, its uniqueness as a Welsh club in an English league, with celebrities who understand all that and have got close to the community."

Phil Parkinson

Phil Parkinson, manager of Wrexham, used to wield considerable sway in transfer dealings before the formation of the transfer committee, albeit not without some guidance from the owners' confidants. His signings have produced significant achievements, with the former Sunderland and Bolton leader guiding the team to consecutive promotions from the National League and League Two.

As Wrexham's meteoric ascent through the divisions continued, Reynolds and McElhenney found themselves digging deeper into their pockets for player transfers. A more systematic approach to expenditure has therefore taken shape, increasing the manager's financial responsibilities.

Humphrey Ker

The most unexpected addition to the influential figures behind Wrexham's success is undoubtedly Humphrey Ker. The comedian and writer, a former Eton peer of Prince William's, might be the last person you'd assume to have a role in football management.

Yet, Ker's introduction of 'Always Sunny' creator McElhenney to the beautiful game during the Covid pandemic has been instrumental in the club's current triumphs. As the initial boots on the ground when the takeover news broke at the close of 2020, Ker served as an essential bridge between Wrexham and its prospective new bosses.

His efforts saw him become an executive director position before recently transitioning to a community director role. Despite his previous confessions of having a limited knowledge about the workings of a football club, Ker has indisputably made his mark.

Among those attesting to his influence on the team is defender Max Cleworth, who praised him on the Men in Blazers podcast. He said: "He certainly teaches us a lot and he's really been here from the start. He's had a big influence and still does. He's someone all the lads and staff love."