The club's Hollywood owners have potentially found themselves in a tight spot this week

Embarrassing cock-ups, shock departures, and a Premier League dream that's already threatening to get away from them again.

All has not felt right at Wrexham for a while.

Since taking over, the club's Hollywood owners have overseen one of the most remarkable rises in English football, going from the National League to the Championship in the space of three seasons.

Breaking into the top flight, however, has proved the hardest challenge yet, and recent events behind the scenes have not helped Wrexham's efforts on the pitch.

Manager Phil Parkinson has helped steady what was an increasingly rocking ship by claiming impressive results against Middlesbrough and Wolves, both of who have been backed to feature in the promotion picture this season.

But the shock departure of CEO Michael Williamson will nevertheless serve as an indication that not everything is as it should be at the Cae Ras.

The fact Williamson's programme notes were published ahead of the game with Wolves just goes to show how much of a sudden shock his exit was to many on the ground.

It's the latest instalment in what's been a difficult period for the club, who were recently fined £75,000, of which £25,000 was suspended, for fielding two ineligible players against Birmingham City and Millwall respectively.

The mistake was addressed by Williamson ahead of the win over Boro in midweek.

"We co-operated with the EFL, carried out an internal review and have already taken steps to strengthen our processes and help prevent a recurrence," he wrote in his programme notes.

"As Wrexham AFC grows, our operations and infrastructure must keep pace with our ambitions on the pitch.

"Growth brings responsibility. We are proud of the progress being made, but we must be open and accountable when we fall short of our own standards. That is how we learn and build a stronger club for the long term."

'Says it all'

Such an embarrassing cock-up was bound to lead to repercussions, although there's no suggestion at this stage that the episode, which involved Callum O'Hare and Issa Kabore, was directly related to Williamson's departure. Nevertheless, it appears the club's famous owners have recognised there are issues and are acting to put things right.

A post on social media reporting Williamson's departure was liked by former players Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee, as well as former director Humphrey Ker.

"Says it all" said one fan in response to those likes. To which, former Newcastle United midfielder Rob Lee (and father of ex-Wrexham midfielder Elliot), responded: "Yes it does."

That exchange alone will do little to dampen fears of disharmony behind the scenes.

In a 139-word statement issued by Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds announcing Williamson's exit, the Hollywood pair wrote: "We remain focused on our most important task: to make the Wrexham community proud."

Mistakes and fan accusations

But despite overseeing such an incredible rise up the leagues, as well as getting plans for the new Kop Stand kicked into gear, some fans had begun to question whether the local community truly is at the heart of the club's thinking.

This is, after all, the latest of several concerning gaffes.

After feeling the heat over the summer for stocking England-branded caps during the World Cup, fans were again left unhappy at the inclusion of a white dragon on a new line of jackets.

The white dragon is, of course, a symbol of England, as opposed to the red dragon of Wales.

The decision to slap a £10 surcharge onto tickets for fans wanting to use the Fanzone behind the temporary Kop stand, an idea Williamson was believed to have been a key figure in devising, was similarly viewed as a tone-deaf move.

It was later scrapped.

Firefighting mission

As such, when Reynolds and McElhenney flew in on Saturday, it felt more like a firefighting mission in terms of atmosphere than the sprinkling of Hollywood stardust that has previously been the fuel for so much of this club's past success.

Whatever the motivations, it appeared to have a positive effect.

Indeed, Reynolds was keen to point out the sense of unity on display after what he freely admitted was a tough week.

Manager Phil Parkinson similarly said the attendance of the club's owners still brings a galvanising effect to everyone at the Racecourse.

"It's always very uplifting, I feel, for the people who work at the club, first of all, the players and the staff when Rob and Ryan come over," he said to the BBC.

"The crowd as well, they're uplifted by the owners being in town.

"Since day one we've been in it together. I always say that when we've done well and have got promoted, how everybody at this club has got this enormous togetherness and that starts from the very top."

Keeping that sense of togetherness will be crucial if Reynolds and co are to navigate their way through these choppy waters.