The acquisition was the start of a love story for both club and celebrities. – I hate to say it, but I’m so obsessed that I actually hate this sport now. I wish it didn’t occupy every thought I have. I live for our games every Saturday now, says Ryan Reynolds to Sky Sports. The Canadian actor is best known from the “Deadpool” films, but has in a short time become very interested in football. – I set aside time so that I can be sure that I will not be disturbed and can focus exclusively on Wrexham. It’s really cool, he adds about his new hobby. In February 2021, together with fellow actor Rob McElhenney, he raised NOK 25 million to take over ownership of the English club. THE CO-OWNER ON THE PHONE: Reynolds has invested in Wrexham with Rob McElhenney. During the game against Sheffield United, Reynolds was on the phone with McElhenney. Photo: JASON CAIRNDUFF / Reuters The reason for the acquisition was to create a story about an “underdog” that the whole world can cheer for. This project is also being filmed in a documentary called “Welcome to Wrexham”, where viewers get to know what happens behind the scenes at the club. However, their entry has also given a giant boost to a local community that has had it tough over the years. – That these two have entered is huge for the local community, says Viaplay commentator Kasper Wikestad to news and continues: – It means everything. The whole city has been successful. Tourists flock from the United States. Americans spend a lot of money in bars and in business. It has exploded. They come in droves. It is exclusively positive, says Wikestad. POSITIVE: Kasper Wikestad is positive about the new owners’ entry into Wrexham, both as a club and as a city. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB – The best owners anyone could dream of Tom Barlow is a Wrexham supporter and started working for the club before the takeover. He has noticed both big and small changes that have taken place in the club. – The small things like freshly painted walls and electronic advertising signs around the stadium make a big difference, says Barlow to news. HAPPY: Tom Barlow is delighted with the development in Wrexham. Photo: Gemma Thomas / Wrexham AFC – We have recruited extremely talented players and staff from teams in the higher divisions, but at the same time retained the core and local workforce of the club. Rob and Ryan care about the club and understand what Wrexham is and what we stand for. They are the best owners anyone could dream of, he says. Lifts the city Hollywood stars have made their moves around the club, and Barlow believes it has a direct impact on the city. – The people are proud to say they are from Wrexham. People flock to take part in this. We are noticing great growth, says Barlow. He goes on to say that the attention the city is getting now reinforces the city’s personality. – Wrexham has always been a place that welcomes people. The owners have shone a light on the club and people from all over the world come to our city, he says. – There is a very inclusive feeling in the city to welcome people on the journey we experience. It’s always been like that in Wrexham, it’s just become more apparent now. Rob and Ryan have been infected by the love from Wrexham, he adds. DREAM: Wrexham players Thomas O’Connor and Elliot Lee show the unity that lives in Wrexham. Photo: Gemma Thomas / Wrexham AFC Barlow believes the biggest difference is how people talk about the town. And it’s not just because they have famous owners and a lot of attention. – The way people talk about Wrexham is definitely the biggest difference after the takeover. I have always been proud to say that I am from here, but there are people who are not, he says. OWNERS: Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have big plans for Wrexham AFC football club. Photo: OLI SCARFF / AFP – Now, however, people are shouting it from their rooftops, while also being very proud. It’s not because we have the eyes of the world on us, but we are happy with how we are in a positive change. There is so much hope attached to Wrexham now, he says. Former player in Wrexham Throughout the long club history of Wrexham, there has only been one Norwegian who has worn the club’s colours. Marius Røvde was goalkeeper in Wrexham in 2002 and got 12 games. GOALKEEPER: Marius Røvde was the goalkeeper for Wrexham in 2002. Here in a match against Queens Park Rangers. In recent times, the Trønder has had various roles in the Canadian club, Vancouver Whitecaps, which plays in the MLS (Major Soccer League). It happens to be Reynolds’ favorite club, and Røvde had good words for the actor. – I have met Ryan several times. He often visited my office, when I was in the Vancouver Whitecaps, Marius Røvde begins, to news. – He is a nice guy. He works very hard to achieve his goals. In the Wrexham documentary he does not play a character. He is himself. If he has promised the fans something, he keeps it, says the former goalkeeper. Rovde also praises the inhabitants of the city. – I have never experienced the likes of people before. They welcome everyone with open arms and are helpful. There is something very special there. Great people and a special club, he concludes. Does not clean up own reputation Wikestad believes that one of the best things about the new owners’ takeover is that they do not use sport to strengthen their own reputation or reputation. – They are not interested in washing their own reputation or anything like that. They probably have their thoughts behind this project, where they create fairy tales at the same time as they see the money from the documentary series. It’s not that bad, he says. In a world where sports washing has left its mark, the actors are at the complete opposite end. They care about the city, the people, the culture and the club, is the opinion of several around the club. Ryan Reynolds took his time to meet the fans before the FA Cup match against Sheffield United. Photo: JASON CAIRNDUFF / Reuters – Everyone else should, or is, envious of the Wrexham owners for the way they run the club, so far anyway, adds Wikestad. Highly dramatic end The acquisition has already paid off on the pitch. On Sunday, Wrexham hosted Sheffield United in the fourth round of the traditional FA Cup. The team from level five was very close to detonating a rare cup bomb. THE CUP: Wrexham is known for bringing down giants in the FA Cup. The spectators have no barriers to their big dreams. Photo: OLI SCARFF / AFP There were almost 10,000 spectators who turned up for the football party at the Racecourse Ground. The fight they witnessed could have been ripped right out of Hollywood. Just a minute into the game, Sheffield United striker Oliver McBurnie scored from a corner. But, after the break, people had to roll their eyes and pinch their arms. Because in ten eleven minutes, Wrexham had turned the match to 2–1. JULY: The Wrexham players jumped on Thomas O’Connor after the 2-1 score. Photo: OLI SCARFF / AFP Ryan Reynolds was often shown on the monitor throughout the match, with the full range of emotions. And the match fluctuated violently. The visitors equalized four minutes after jubilant scenes, before Wrexham hero Paul Mullin made it 3-2 just before the end. Now everyone thought it was settled. But as in all Hollywood movies, it’s not over until the credits come across the screen. Sheffield United defender John Egan broke the hearts of the red shirts five minutes into stoppage time with an equaliser. Thus, they have to go out in a rematch at Bramall Lane. Should they win there, they will face Tottenham at home in the fifth round. DISAPPOINTMENT: Elliot Lee was clearly disappointed after progress in the FA Cup went up in extra time. Photo: OLI SCARFF / AFP Chasing promotion They are also successful in the league. After 27 league rounds, two teams stand out at the top of the National League (fifth level in England). Notts County and Wrexham are fighting side by side for the one promotion place. Wrexham have been in the fifth tier since 2008. Although there is cheering in Wrexham, the opposition are not as enthusiastic. – There are several teams down in the system who underestimate Wrexham, since they do not compete on an equal level, says Wikestad and points out that the small club has received a lot of money after the acquisition. If there were to be a promotion for the English football club at the end of the season, Wikestad believes that they can find a way to move up once more. – We have seen that the best in the National League are better than the worst in League Two. It is a terrible league to get out of, as there is only one team that moves up, he says. – I think there is a greater chance that they will move up another level, if they move up this year, than that they will have to fight to keep the place. In League Two there are several promotion places plus a playoff, he concludes.
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