The first task for Wrexham was getting out of the National League — the level below England's four professional divisions and where the club had been residing since 2008. It didn't come easy.

Wrexham will play relegated Premier League team Southampton in its opening game next season. Wrexham will begin its first campaign in 43 years in English soccer’s second tier away at St Mary’s on Aug.

If Wrexham follows this same model that has proved so successful, it will need to attract players from the Premier League, where the top earners can command in excess of $400,000 per week.

Wrexham executive Humphrey Ker already acknowledged the club might have to quadruple its payroll — a reported 11 million pounds ($14.65 million) — to survive a grueling league.