How Hollywood Changed a Town

By Theo Chapman

Since buying Wrexham in 2020, the impact of Ryan Reynold’s and Rob McElhenney’s ownership extends far beyond the pitch. Their journey, told by Theo Chapman, explores the boundless possibilities that lie ahead for the town.

It’s springtime in North Wales. The leaves are beginning to blossom, the foliage is returning to its usual shade of luscious green, and the temperature has risen ever so slightly. Hopefulness has begun to permeate the town, as it has done at this time of year for the past few years. The sun is beginning to break through the blanket of clouds, the final few games are right around the corner, and Wrexham AFC fans are ready to have their hearts broken again. 

‘Expectantly optimistic’ would be the easiest categorisation of the mood around the Racecourse ground going into the final stretch of the season, a huge title race lying in wait. Historically, the club had been a consistent football league team, before dropping into the national league where they lay, dormant, for 15 years. 

Enter Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny. 

Reynolds, known for his iconic portrayal of Deadpool, and McElhenney, celebrated for his hit sitcom set in Philadelphia, acquired Wrexham FC officially in November 2021. Since then, their ownership has catalysed the club’s long-awaited return to the English Football League, following their triumph in the National League title race, last season. As the new season unfolds, the duo’s ambitious investment promises another thrilling title pursuit, with fierce competition anticipated against Stockport County and Mansfield Town, ensuring an exciting battle going into the final stretch of league games. 

No matter how dark things have become for this particular set of fans, they’ve always remained unwaveringly loyal to their beloved club, persevering through challenging times both on and off the pitch.  

But now it feels different. 

Rob and Ryan haven’t just given hope to a football club, they’ve become symbols of inspiration for an entire town. Highly respected in North Wales, they are celebrated as an example of outstanding football ownership, with locals expressing tremendous gratitude for the transatlantic duo. 

It’s admittedly a little a little unsexy to describe what enabled the once irrelevant Wrexham AFC to go from laughingstock to a legit football league team as ‘two people buying one club’, but that’s essentially what it’s owed to. 

In all fairness, it’s been done in an admirable way. Unlike many American owners, Reynolds and McElhenney didn’t simply arrive and disregard Wrexham’s heritage. Their dedication to elevating Wrexham from a sleeping giant to a renowned household name was evident from the start – and they’d clearly done their research, recognising the challenge of earning the fans trust. 

Prior to the ‘Hollywood takeover,’ the Wrexham Supporters Trust who had assumed control after a battle with an owner seemingly bent on destroying the club, organised a fan vote to determine whether Reynolds and McElhenney should be granted ownership. An overwhelming 98.6% of the trust voted in favour, after which Ryan and Rob swiftly set out to demonstrate the commitment to the town. 

Acknowledging their limited football expertise, they opted to enlist seasoned football professionals, Sean Harvey and Fleur Robinson, to guide decision-making on their behalf. Instead of becoming the type of omnipotent owners that insist on having control over everything, they prioritised collaboration over control. Demonstrating their commitment to on-field success, they appointed former Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson and made significant investments in player transfers, notably securing the services of star striker Paul Mullin. 

Under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham have undergone remarkable transformations on the pitch. In their inaugural season, the team secured second place in the league and reached the FA Trophy final at Wembley. The subsequent season marked a historic achievement, with striker Paul Mullin emerging as the FA Cup top scorer and Wrexham clinching the league title with a record-breaking 111 points, the highest in the top five leagues. Now, with their sights set on consecutive promotions, Wrexham have been sat in the automatic promotion spots for the majority of the season. 

Beyond their influence in the football aspect, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have significantly uplifted Wrexham’s town and community. Their generosity extends far away from the pitch, leaving a positive imprint on the broader footballing picture, too. 

Just recently for example, a small charity from promotion rivals Mansfield began 

a 140 mile walk from Field Mill to the Racecourse ground, Wrexham, 

to raise money for suicide awareness – in which Reynolds and McElhenny donated 

£15,000 under the alias ‘Wade Wilson and Mac’ - their on-screen names. 

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  

Who facilitated a vital appointment with a top doctor for full-back Anthony Forde’s wife upon her brain tumour diagnosis? Ryan did. Who generously donated £6,000 to a fan with Cerebral Palsy for home renovations, improving his daily life? Rob did. Who collaborated on an Emmy-winning documentary, enhancing the town’s profile and attracting international tourists? Both Rob and Ryan did. 

The attention generated by the pair is nothing short of remarkable. In Wrexham’s crucial title-deciding encounter with Notts County last season, the match sparked over 61,000 Twitter interactions, surpassing even the interaction levels of Liverpool’s showdown against Premier League leaders Arsenal on the same day. Moreover, Wrexham’s full-time announcement that afternoon amassed nearly 11 million views, nearly doubling the combined views of both Liverpool and Arsenal’s full-time announcements. 

Since the release of the documentary, the heightened interest has translated into significant benefits for local businesses, attracting a surge of visitors from around the globe - even outside of match days. Andrew Hunt, an American tourist who attended Wrexham’s 4-1 victory against Barrow earlier in the season, attested to the club’s newfound popularity, citing the documentary as a major influence. 

"It’s crazy popular over in the States – loads of my friends have watched the documentary and we’re all obsessed. Me and my son were planning a trip to Europe and a Wrexham game was our priority.” 

A club that was once completely unknown to most people in the UK, let alone abroad, is now a destination ahead of other European attractions for some tourists. Wild. 

For some business owners, the impact has been life changing. Wayne Jones, the owner of The Turf, a pub adjacent to the stadium, which was featured in the documentary, said in an interview with The Athletic: “Everything that happens around the owners seems 

to get crazier and crazier. A good crazy, if that 

makes sense. It’s brilliant for Wrexham, another 

positive way to put the town on the map.” 

Just as the changing seasons herald new beginnings, the takeover 

by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has ushered in a transformative era for Wrexham, where dreams once whispered have blossomed into reality. As the final games approach, amidst the luscious greenery and budding promise of the season, Wrexham’s journey continues, a testament to the enduring power of belief and the magic of possibility.