IAN RUSH sees no reason why Wrexham can’t become the best club in Wales again.

The Wales and Liverpool legend ended his distinguished playing days at The Racecourse and said it would mean so much to him to see The Reds competing alongside Cardiff City and Swansea City - just like they did in the Seventies and Eighties.

Rush was speaking for the first time about the planned takeover of the North Wales club by Hollywood actors, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

The two mega-rich movie stars will talk about their vision for the future to the club’s Trust members on Sunday. The supporters then have a week to vote about whether to accept their offer, which includes ploughing in £2m straightaway.

“Everyone around North Wales knows what massive potential Wrexham Football Club has,” said Rush. “When I first started my career, Wrexham were up there with the likes of Cardiff and Swansea and in the Eighties they were the best club in Wales with Joey Jones, Mickey Thomas and Dai Davies - all Welsh internationals - playing for them.

“They had a great reputation in cup competitions, FA Cup giant-killings and playing in Europe too.

“That’s all changed now. What John Toshack did at Swansea, taking them from the fourth division to the first was fantastic. Cardiff have stayed up but it’s all gone wrong at Wrexham.

“I’ve read about the two actors wanting to take over. It’s an amazing story and if it happens it will be great for Wrexham. It’s a big club with a lot of potential. And potential for lots of fans coming to watch them.”

Rush reckons Wrexham, if successful, would attract fans from Anglesey to Aberystwyth.

“If they do well, the ground will be full week in, week out,” added Rush. “Wrexham should be a Football League club but it will only work out for them if the right people run it.

“It’s not been good being in non-league football for so many years so it’s important the new owners get the right people around them - and they should start by getting Joey Jones back at the club.

“It wasn’t nice how he went but he’s the first person the new regime should be calling on for advice. And Mickey Thomas would be a close second.

“These two love the club. They know how special the club is and their knowledge will be invaluable.”

Rush, Liverpool’s all-time record goalscorer, who won 17 domestic trophies and lifted two European Cups in an amazing career, kicked off his coaching career at The Racecourse.

“When I was reserve team coach at Wrexham, the advice Joey gave me was incredible,” added Rush, who played 17 times for the Reds in the 1998/99 season. “I’ll never forget and in fact, he taught me everything. I can’t speak more highly of him.

“Everyone loves him and everyone has a special word for him. It’s because he took time to talk to players. My son always mentions Joey when he was taking his first steps in the game.

“He’d be there all the time too, first in at the training ground, even if he’d be scouting the night before.

“The advice, experience he can pass on will benefit anyone coming into the club. He’s got more experience of Wrexham Football Club than anyone I know.

“You think about what he’s achieved in the game. What he won at Liverpool. But his big love is Wrexham. It means so much to him.”

Rush hopes things take off at The Racecourse but warns throwing money into football clubs doesn’t always buy success.

“I know a lot of people who have ploughed money into football,” said Rush. “Look at Steve Morgan at Wolves. The things he did didn’t get appreciated.

“The new owners need a plan, one-year, two, three-year on where they want to be.

“They need to be run well off the pitch and also need a manager who knows the division inside out. The priority is getting back in the Football League.

“You’ve seen clubs do it over the years. They turn to a Neil Warnock and Sam Allardyce character. Someone who has experience and know exactly what’s needed.”