Star Wrexham let go who wanted to stay makes statement that Ryan Reynolds will love
Veteran striker Steven Fletcher was forced to leave Wrexham despite wanting to prolong his career in Wales – but he has still spoken glowingly about his time at the club. The former Premier League goalscorer was let go at the end of last season after playing a key role in two of the Welsh side's three successive promotions.
The 38-year-old scored eight goals in 40 League One appearances last term, many of them from the bench, as the Red Dragons secured automatic promotion.
However, the former Scotland international was deemed surplus to requirements by manager Phil Parkinson as Wrexham began their preparations for life in the Championship.
Fletcher, who played in the Premier League with Burnley, Wolves and Sunderland earlier in his career, said in a post on Instagram in May that he was departing "with a heavy heart" and "not by choice".
But despite his disappointment, he has spoken warmly about his two-year spell at Wrexham and the positive environment at the club in words which will be music to the ears of Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Speaking on the Golf Life YouTube channel, Fletcher said: "There's something about it, the town, the club, the fans and the staff. There's just a massive togetherness. I've been in football for 20-odd years and it's the most I've enjoyed my football.
"I've played in the Premier League, I've played at the highest levels, and no disrespect to the clubs I've been at, but in that moment I really enjoyed my football."
Fletcher is now mulling over his next move and admitted he is "95 per cent sure" that his football career is over. He said his plans to retire come despite some of his old teammates encouraging him to keep going.
He added: "I'm 95 per cent sure that I'm done. When you say it out loud, you get a weird feeling. There's a bit inside of me that wants to finish on a high and I don't want to go chasing something that I'm not going to find."
Fletcher's efforts for Wrexham were clearly appreciated by the club's owners. Reacting to him being released on social media, Reynolds said he would miss his "leadership and wit".
Addressing Fletcher directly, Reynolds said: "Words aren't agile enough to capture what you've brought to Wrexham, the sport, and the lives of myself and this whole town. You aren't a PART of greatness. You ARE greatness.
"I don't really know what a co-chairmen is supposed to do or say in these moments and I don't much care. I'm gonna miss you. I'll miss your your leadership and wit and the way you remind everyone - including me - that this is also FUN. Like the first day we met, I'm here for you any time and any place. Always."
McElhenney later opened up about how difficult he found saying goodbye to Fletcher while appearing on the Rob.Ryan.Red podcast. It came after the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor revealed enjoyed a round with golf with Fletcher in the US shortly before he was released.
"Even just bringing up his [Steven Fletcher's] name is difficult because the brutal reality of football it just reminds me of how quickly you can go from spending all day with him here in Los Angeles promoting the show and playing golf," he said.
"[Then] putting him on a plane, sending him home and within 24 hours, Phil released him from the club, and that was difficult."
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Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
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