DARREN Anderton says the stories of Wrexham and Bournemouth’s respective rises are capturing audiences in America.

Former Cherries and England star Anderton has spent most of his time living in California since hanging up his boots in 2008, scoring on his final appearance, a 1-0 win over Chester City at Dean Court.

The 52-year-old, who returned to England for some downtime over the summer, has worked as a pundit on Premier League matches in the USA and seen first hand the growth of the game.

Cherries face Wrexham in a pre-season friendly in Santa Barbara on Saturday. Wrexham have risen up from non-league into League One under the stewardship of Hollywood actor owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, which has been documented by an award-winning show on Disney+.

Cherries themselves have Hollywood interest via Creed actor and director Michael B Jordan, who was brought in by owner, American billionaire Bill Foley, who bought the Dorset club in December 2022.

Asked how well-known Cherries are in the USA, Anderton told the Daily Echo: “The Premier League is just so big and new people are getting involved in it and following a new team.

“The coverage they have over there is very good with Rebecca Lowe and the guys – Robbie Earle, Tim Howard, Robbie Mustoe and Danny Higginbotham.

“They even go on these roadshows and go to a different city now and again and they get thousands of people there, at silly o’clock in the morning to come and watch the game.

“They just really get into it.

“Most people over there, they are really getting into it, then you’ve got the Wrexham thing, then you’ve got Ted Lasso. It is very interesting.

“They’ve got their sports, no doubt about that, but I think the Premier League is very popular. Much more so than the MLS, to be honest.

“And of course with Bill Foley and Michael B Jordan being involved as well is a little bit of the celebrity added spice to it.

“It’s definitely a club that are very well thought of over there.”

Stars of Apple TV+ show Ted LassoStars of Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso (Image: Ian West/PA Wire)

Southampton-born Anderton, speaking on behalf of freebets.com, added: “Only now is it people in America are kind of understanding the promotion and relegation thing because of the Wrexham show.

“They’re saying ‘that’s so good’, because obviously they don’t have that in America- if you finish last, you just get the best player next year in the draft.

“So they really appreciate that.

“So I explain to them Bournemouth were at that level and are now Premier League and how it is possible.”

Anderton, a Tottenham Hotspur legend who featured at two major tournaments for England, spent two years at Cherries at the end of his career.

And he still has a close affinity with the club.

“Over the years I’ve been back a lot,” he said.

“I was there the night they got promoted the first time around.

“Of course I always keep a very keen eye on it and still within my close group of friends are Shaun Cooper, Alan Connell, Brett Pitman, Warren Cummings, Danny Hollands, some of them are still coaching there.

“Shaun is doing great with the new manager there and Alan Connell as well.

“I just love the story.”