Latest news with #Ex-Wrexham
Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
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:) Article continues below "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. 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. "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." 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 Article continues below 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."
Leader Live
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Sam Smith excited to be in the Championship with Wrexham
The 27-year-old enjoyed successful stints with Cambridge United and Reading in the third tier before joining the Reds for a club record fee in the winter transfer window. It was a move that paid off with Smith scoring seven goals to help Phil Parkinson's men finish runners-up to Birmingham City and secure an historic third successive promotion. Wrexham will be back in the Championship for the first time in 23 years when the 2025-26 campaign gets underway in August and Smith can't wait to pits his wits against the likes of Leicester City and Southampton. "I'm excited," said the frontman. "I last played in the Championship when I was 19 so I've gone away, I've learned my trade and become a better player, stronger player, quicker player. "I've been desperate for the opportunity and can't wait to get going. "I've been in this league for four years now and sacrificed a lot, and worked hard day in, day out. "When it ultimately comes down to moments like this and winning promotion, it puts things in perspective the journey I've been on and one I'll just be proud of." DID YOU MISS OUR 48-PAGE PROMOTION SPECIAL? ORDER YOUR COPY HERE - Outsiders believe Wrexham will struggle to make the step-up in the second tier but Smith is confident the Reds will survive. "I'd like to think so. I'm not sure what will go on above me but hopefully we can," he said. "It's a tough league but I don't think anyone expected us to get promoted out of this league so we'll take it as it comes." Can Wrexham do the unthinkable and reach the Premier League by making it four promotions in a row? Smith refuses to get ahead of himself but he said: "It's a club like no other so anything can happen. "I'd like to hope we could do it and I can be a part of it. "It's an exciting journey and one I'm looking forward to being a part of." For now, Smith and his team-mates can bask in the glory of becoming the first professional club to clinch back-to-back-to-back promotions. "It's history and that's something that none of us will ever forget," added Smith, who struck 11 times for Reading before joining Wrexham and finished the campaign fourth top scorer in the division with 18 goals, three behind Leyton Orient's leading marksman Charlie Kelman. "I don't think it'll ever be done again so it's an incredible achievement and it just shows how good the football club is and everyone behind the scenes. "It's a club that you can't really describe what it's like when you're inside. "There's so much going on. I'm just delighted to be here and I'm enjoying every day. "Just keep working hard trying to get better and help the team, and carry on the journey." Jay Stansfield - Birmingham City's £10m summer signing - repaid the club with a 19-goal haul while League One player of the year, Richard Kone, completed the top three with 18 goals. Ex-Wrexham winger Davis Keillor-Dunn also netted 18 for Barnsley and was joined by Charlton Athletic's Matt Godden.
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ryan Reynolds sent clear transfer message as verdict given on Man Utd star
Ex-Wrexham player Mickey Thomas (left) has told Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to sign Man Utd star Jonny Evans (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) Wrexham have been urged to push the boat out to sign Manchester United defender Jonny Evans. The Welsh side, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, earned promotion to the Championship last weekend. The actors have doubled down on their ambition of taking Wrexham all the way to the Premier League in the wake of their 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic. Manager Phil Parkinson is expected to be busy in the summer transfer window as he looks to make additions to help his squad compete at the next level. Evans is one of several high-profile names to be linked with joining the Red Dragons, along with Jamie Vardy and Kevin De Bruyne. The 37-year-old made a surprise return to Old Trafford in 2023, having left the club in 2014, and was initially only signed for pre-season. But he has gone on to make 42 appearances in all competitions over the last two campaigns. With his contract due to expire in June and no sign of an extension on the table, former Wrexham and United winger Mickey Thomas thinks he would make a great addition to Parkinson's side, saying, "He would be fantastic." "I saw a rumour about Jonny Evans and he's been magnificent when he's played for Manchester United in the last couple of seasons," said Thomas. "He would be fantastic, there's no question about that. "He's very experienced and you're going to need that as well. When you look who the manager has brought in, he's brought in Steven Fletcher and experience like that with Jay Rodriguez. He will be on the lookout for some type of player like Jonny Evans, which would be a good addition to the team." Manchester United's Jonny Evans has been linked with a move to Wrexham (Image:) Thomas watched the second half of Saturday's game against Charlton from Reynolds and McElhenney's private box and was also invited onto the pitch by the owners to enjoy the post-match celebrations. He made 349 appearances over two spells at Wrexham during his career, most famously scoring a stunning free-kick in a shock FA Cup victory over Arsenal. The ex-Wales international believes a number of new signings will need to be made to make the club competitive in the Championship next season. However, Thomas insists Wrexham have nothing to be afraid of after registering their third successive promotion, despite the presence of several former Premier League sides. He said: "I would say you're looking at four or five players who will come through the door. Every football club, every season adds quality. Without doubt, that's going to happen. 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 "You have to have a belief that they can do really well. At this moment in time, we're like a runaway train, no-one can stop us. This is a big test, though, and you have to see what's ahead of you. "There's some big hitters in there with Leicester coming down, along with Southampton and Ipswich and possibly Sunderland in there. But I think they'll be well prepared and Phil Parkinson will already have his players in mind that he wants to bring into the club." Parkinson has stressed he will be implementing a strict "no egos" policy when making new signings. Speaking immediately after promotion was sealed, he said he was more interested in making sure he had the right "culture" at the Racecourse Ground. He said: "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. "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 MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. 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. Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
