Wrexham owner shows his class after rival's 'never heard of them' jibe to Ryan Reynolds and co
Wrexham owner shows his class after rival's 'never heard of them' jibe to Ryan Reynolds and co
Oldham owner Frank Rothwell has taken a few digs at Wrexham's co-owners, but Rob McElhenney showed his true colours by congratulating him on his team's promotion to the EFL
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney (left) has congratulated Oldham on their promotion
(Image: PA Wire/PA Images )
Rob McElhenney has shown his class by congratulating a football club chairman who once claimed he'd never heard of Wrexham's co-owners.
Oldham Athletic owner Frank Rothwell aimed a dig at It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator McElhenney and Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds ahead of an FA Cup game between the Latics and Wrexham in 2022. Rothwell spoke dismissively of the two actors during an interview with ITV, saying he was unaware of them and hadn't seen their films or TV shows.
He also cast doubt over how long they would stay interested in running the Red Dragons. "I don't know who the hell they are," said Rothwell. "I know they're film stars and all the girls go 'woo' but I've never seen anything they've been in.
"These lads have bought a football club for as cheap as they possibly could do so they could tell their friends in Hollywood that they own a club. When they decide they've had enough of this and sell to another investor, it (Wrexham AFC) will disappear. That won't happen to Oldham."
Wrexham had the last laugh after beating Oldham 3-0 in the cup clash and securing promotion from the National League later that season. However, McElhenney and Reynolds appeared to take Rothwell's insults in good humour, later responding with a video charting his life.
They said: "Born in England in 1950, he grew up to be a 72-year man with a hat and glasses. He founded Manchester Cabins in 1979, he's also the oldest man to row across the Atlantic Ocean. He's got a nice smile. Very nice. Gentle. And he likes to shake hands, looks firm."
Oldham Athletic owner Frank Rothwell, pictured celebrating promotion to the EFL, previously took a dig at Wrexham's co-chairmen
(Image: PA )
Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+
from £4.99
Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description
Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront.
They later donated £1,600 as Rothwell raised funds for Alzheimer's Research UK by rowing solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 2024. Speaking shortly after completing the challenge, the Oldham owner said: "This is what I'd like to say to Ryan and Rob. Thank you so much for donating. You have given what I've done credibility."
McElhenney jokingly referenced the original exchange again on Sunday after Oldham sealed promotion from non-league's top tier. The Latics beat Southend 3-2 in the National League play-off final after coming back from 2-1 down to win in extra time.
Sending his well wishes to Rothwell and Oldham on social media after the final whistle, McElhenney said: "Congrats @OfficialOAFC and especially to you Frank. So well deserved!!!!! Love, some guy you've never heard of ;)"
Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage
Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'.
But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in...
Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
Sign up for Wrexham is the Game here
The tongue in cheek nod to Rothwell's comments was well received by Latics fans on X. John Benson said: "Amazing. Love how from that first interaction it was all in jest, no arrogance and from then was nothing but love and comedy and that @VancityReynolds and yourself clearly 'get' what supporting/following football is about."
Article continues below
Chris Wall posted: "Class act Rob, great that everyone sees Frank's part in all this." Another said: "Thanks Rob, that's a nice touch, we are over the moon." Someone else added: "Absolute class and bants in equal measures."
Oldham will now play in League Two next season, while Wrexham are preparing for life in the Championship after finish second in League One this term. It will be the first time the Red Dragons have featured in the second tier since 1982.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Reynolds and McElhenney 'ready to sell their stake' as Wrexham's value soars
Wrexham are gearing up for a season in the Championship and co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are looking to bring extra investment into the Welsh club Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are said to be willing to sell a stake in Wrexham following their promotion to the Championship. Wrexham have enjoyed a remarkable rise since they were bought by Reynolds and McElhenney back in 2021 for around £2million. The club has been promoted three times in four full seasons under the two Hollywood stars, rising from the National League to the Championship; now they are looking to raise additional funds in a bid to help Wrexham go one step further and reach the Premier League. According to a report from Bloomberg, Reynolds and McElhenney are considering selling a stake in the club for a valuation of up to £350m. Earlier this year, the Allyn family became minority investors, with Wrexham valued at around £100m. However, the club's profile has risen further following their recent promotion and the report states that Wrexham are now working investment bank advisers to gauge potential interest. A £350m valuation would make Wrexham the most expensive team in Championship, with Sheffield United recently bought for around £111m by an American consortium. Speaking after Wrexham secured promotion from League One, Reynolds reiterated their ambition as he told Sky Sports: "Four years ago, this man [McElhenney] said our goal is to make it to the Premier League. And there was understandably a lot of titters, laughter and giggles - but it's starting to feel like a tangible thing that could actually come to fruition." Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson, meanwhile, is confident the club are ready to make the "huge" step up from League One to the Championship. "I think everybody knows the jump is huge," Parkinson said. "But I'm confident we will be well prepared for that. I think that a lot of tough decisions will be made this summer, in terms of who we bring in and how we add to this fantastic squad of lads we've got, but let's see if we can build a squad to compete at that level. "I think it's interesting because the jump in salaries is incredible, mind-blowing. Even coming up to this level [League One], the jump to get players of Championship quality is expensive but obviously with the next level, I don't think people outside football quite realise. "They think players in League One must be multi-millionaires, but the drop-off from what people read about Premier League players when they come down is huge. "That is a challenge, but what we've always tried to do is make sure the culture in the club is right and I think that's key - no superstars, no egos in the dressing room and we've got to try and get that balance right again. "You always need extra quality when you go up a level to make sure the right people come into the building." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Wales Online
40 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Wrexham's transfer chief discusses Kevin De Bruyne move and Ryan Reynolds' budget plan
Wrexham's transfer chief discusses Kevin De Bruyne move and Ryan Reynolds' budget plan Wrexham were linked with a move for Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne following their promotion to the Championship, and a senior club official has now had his say Wrexham advisor Les Reed has spoken out on rumours linking the club with Kevin De Bruyne (Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside via Getty Images ) A senior Wrexham official has set the record straight on the chances of Kevin De Bruyne making a shock transfer to the Welsh club. Rumours have been swirling about who the Red Dragons might pursue in the summer following their promotion from League One in April. The name of Manchester City star De Bruyne cropped up unexpectedly soon after they notched their third promotion on the trot. Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson is expected to have significant financial backing from celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney during the transfer window. The two Hollywood actors harbour dreams of steering the North Wales outfit to the lofty heights of the Premier League, and signing reinforcements could be key to mounting a challenge in the Championship. Speculation increased when it emerged that De Bruyne was eyeing a new club following City's disclosure that he wouldn't receive a fresh contract offer. However, the idea of the Belgian midfielder gracing the Racecourse Ground have now been quashed by Wrexham board advisor Les Reed. The ex-FA technical director acknowledged that despite ambitions, De Bruyne's wages would be beyond the club's means. He also said that teams overseas in the Saudi Pro League and MLS could be more realistic destinations for his services. Speaking to the i Paper, Reed said: "I think we were linked with Kevin De Bruyne at one stage [but] there is a certain level of Premier League player who, if they are on £100k to 150k-a-week, are still going to get close to that if they move to the MLS or Saudi Arabia than if they go to Wrexham." Article continues below Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are expected to spend big this summer (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA, Getty Images ) Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. Reed emphasised the club's ambition under the ownership of Reynolds and McElhenney, noting that while the transfer budget is "decent", it isn't bottomless. He also dispelled myths of the club being a final stop for ageing professionals, insisting that future acquisitions will contribute to lowering the squad's average age. He said: "In the Championship, they [new signings] will need to be athletic. It's not swansong land for players who are having one more go before they retire. Our ambition will be to drive the average age down, but at the same time remain competitive." Though acknowledging Wrexham can't compete financially with top-tier giants for players like De Bruyne, Reed is clear they won't settle for mediocrity. "We are definitely aiming high and we mustn't lose that aspiration and momentum," he said. "We're not by any means predicting that we're going to go [straight] to the Premier League, but we don't just want to go, 'Okay, the journey is over, we're in the Championship, let's stabilise and consolidate.' Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year. Sign up for Wrexham is the Game here "We need to get through this window with some good recruitment and establish ourselves, not as a survivor, but as a challenger, i.e. in a good season, could we get into the play-offs? We would love to break that record [of four straight promotions] and, given the circumstances, we'll give it our best shot." Meanwhile, ex-Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has advised Tottenham's Ben Davies against a move to Wrexham, suggesting he should remain at the top level for as long as possible. Article continues below Speaking to BoyleSports, Pulis said: "To Ben Davies I'd say that you should stay as high as you could for as long as you can. He's played quite regularly at Spurs this year and he's still in the national team and doing exceptionally well for them. "I think Craig Bellamy relies on him quite a bit as well with his experience. So I wouldn't be in too much of a rush to jump out of the Premier League at the moment."
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Palace hold talks with Mateta over new deal
Crystal Palace are in talks with striker Jean-Philippe Mateta over signing a new contract.A full agreement is still to be reached but it is understood a deal is now 27-year-old was a standout performer in Oliver Glasner's side last season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions as Palace won the FA Cup - their first major Frenchman, who joined from Mainz initially on loan in 2021, has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park, with Aston Villa, Manchester United and Marseille among the clubs credited with an current deal runs out in 2027 after the Eagles triggered a 12-month extension on his Palace are reluctant to allow Mateta to enter the final year of his deal and want to secure his long-term Sport reported earlier that Glasner's side could have to wait until the end of the month to find out if they are able to play in the 2025-26 Europa League, which may play a factor in Mateta's rules forbid individuals from having control of more than one club in the same competition to avoid conflicts of Football - the multi-club group owned by John Textor which includes a minority shareholding in Palace - owns a majority stake in Ligue 1 side Lyon, who have also qualified for next season's competition.
