India, April 28 -- In early 2020, as the 2019-20 English football season came to an end, Wrexham AFC ended its season at its absolute nadir. The club finished 19th in the National League, the fifth tier of English football. This was the club's lowest finish in its 150-year history. To put into perspective how bad it was, there were 94 clubs above them in the first four tiers, followed by 18 in their own league.

But right as COVID-19 arrived, the club's fortunes changed, and surprisingly for the better. Five years on, Wrexham have just earned a promotion into the EFL Championship - just one step away from the Premier League. This may be the fastest rise for any club in football history. And it has been made possible by two men from across...