Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's kind act to Wrexham star who broke down crying in warm-up
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's kind act to Wrexham star who broke down crying in warm-up
Ex-Wrexham captain Ben Tozer has opened up about breaking down during a pre-match warm-up after his father's sudden death in 2023, crediting the club's support for helping him cope
Ex-Wrexham captain Ben Tozer has discussed how club owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney helped him after his father died
(Image: Matt Lewis - The FA via Getty Images )
An ex-Wrexham star has opened up on how he broke down in tears during a pre-match warm-up following the death of his father.
Former club captain Ben Tozer had not long celebrated leading the Red Dragons to promotion from the National League in 2023 when he suffered a devastating loss. His dad Keith had been there to watch from the stands as the defender lifted the title trophy at the Racecourse Ground in April of that year following a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood.
However, he died suddenly of leukaemia in July just days after being diagnosed with the illness. Tozer was left devastated by his dad's passing, but returned to work only a day later, shortly before heading off on a pre-season tour of the United States with Wrexham.
The emotional impact soon took its toll on him as he burst into tears during the warm-up ahead of friendly against Chelsea in North Carolina. He has now revealed how it was only an intervention from club physio Kevin Mulholland, as well as kindness from Wrexham's owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and manager Phil Parkinson, which helped him start to come to terms with his loss.
Speaking on an episode of the Fearless in Devotion podcast being released early next week, Tozer said: "My dad had just died, but I came back the next day after it happened, and just tried to be normal. I didn't want any sympathy whatsoever.
Defender Tozer broke down before a pre-season friendly against Chelsea in the US
(Image:)
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"I probably should have gone down to the gaffer and said, 'Can you take me out of the firing line,' but I suppose a bit of pride kicks in. After it happened, I went straight to America, and we played against Chelsea.
"I was crying when I was doing the warm-up. I'm thinking, 'Wow, this is raw.' We then played in Philadelphia on the last day before we came home, and I couldn't sleep the night before.
"I was up all night, because we were away in America, and it was almost like I'd run away from it. I went down to breakfast, sat at the table and I was a bit quiet. I walked off as if I was going to the toilet.
Wrexham's players, including Tozer, celebrate winning the National League
(Image: Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images )
"But I went outside and I just completely broke down. Kev, the physio, saw me and had a little chat with me. The gaffer was great. He gave me four days off to go back to Plymouth so that I could see my grandma and uncle."
He added: "It's not just the gaffer, it's Humphrey [Ker], Ryan and Rob, they're all brilliant. They're all there if you need them. It's more the fact that they're open to me ringing them or texting them and saying how I feel."
Tozer went on to win a second promotion with Wrexham from League Two during the 2023/24 season. But he said the death of his father made it difficult to enjoy playing football, despite the support he received from the club.
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"I wasn't right throughout the whole season," he said. "I was trying to fight it but it catches up with you. I was so honest with the gaffer and it's hard because it's true, but my flame for playing died when my dad died.
"With the way that I play a game, I need to be fully focused, pumped up and completely at it. I was going out for games, and I was looking in the stand, looking for my dad and he wasn't there.
"A bit of me died and it's quite sad, because my dad was there for my first ever game. He was the one who I played for more than I played for myself."
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Tozer was released by Wrexham after his contract expired in May 2024 and spent last season at Forest Green Rovers back in the National League. He announced his retirement from football last month, but still keeps a close eye on how the Welsh side are getting on.
He said: "I felt like it wouldn't have been right, even if Wrexham offered me a contract then, for me to stay. I wanted to be the best version of myself.
"I spoke to the gaffer afterwards and we had a good chat. It was right for both parties to separate and it's worked out for the best. I wish nothing but the best for the club."
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