The former owners of Wrexham AFC have questioned a planned shortcut from the club that aims to achieve Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's dream of European football sooner than ever thought possible.

Wrexham are one of four Welsh EFL sides looking to boost their chances of qualifying for Europe by entering the Welsh League Cup, along with Cardiff City, Swansea City and Newport County. Talks between the teams and the FAW started last year as they can currently only qualify for European competitions via the FA Cup, EFL Cup or Premier League.

The new proposals would see them enter the Welsh League Cup– currently known as the Nathaniel MG Cup – for a chance of qualifying for the UEFA Conference League, which was founded in 2021. The plans have been presented to UEFA, the FA, Premier League and Cymru Premier under the banner of Prosiect Cymru (Project Wales).

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has thrown his weight behind the move which he said would be “amazing” for his side. Director Shaun Harvey also confirmed the backing of the Red Dragons' hierarchy, saying: “We are interested because we have got an obligation to give the club the best chance of success.”

However, the idea has reportedly been met with opposition from within the English game, where one club executive allegedly accused the teams of wanting to "have their Welsh cake and eat it". The Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST), which bought Wrexham in 2011 before selling to the two Hollywood actors in 2020, has now voiced caution amid fears it could threaten the club's status as a member of the EFL.

A WST spokesperson said in a statement: “The board’s position is that while we’d love to see Wrexham play in European competitions again, if that meant that our continued membership of the EFL was in any way threatened we are against it.” Wrexham have been asked for comment on the issue.

The four EFL clubs are understood to have sought assurances from the FA that the plans will not jeopardise their future in the English pyramid. The proposals would see them sacrifice their ability to qualify for Europe via the FA Cup, EFL Cup or Premier League.

It's been claimed the wider Welsh pyramid would benefit financially from additional revenue, with a potential improvement in coefficient ranking which could result in extra European places. A recent development means the proposals are required to go to the full FA board for approval, rather than a sub-committee, which could prove a major barrier to the scheme going ahead.

The reason cited for it being taken to a higher decision-making body is "due to the importance and significance of the topic". English clubs will have an opportunity to have their say as part of the process, although a timeline for a final decision has yet to emerge.

Wrexham have previously played in some memorable games in Europe, including against Anderlecht in the European Cup Winners Cup quarter-finals in the 1970s. They later beat Portuguese giants Porto in the same competition nearly a decade later.

Welsh clubs in the EFL have not participated in an FAW competition since the FAW Premier Cup – which did not offer European qualification – was abolished in 2008. Cardiff, Swansea and Newport have entered Under-21 sides in recent editions of the Nathaniel MG Cup, but the introduction of their first teams – and chance to qualify for Europe – would represent a major change.