Latest news with #HumphreyKer
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
'Shut up' – Ryan Reynolds' spending becomes clear as Wrexham chief hits back
'Shut up' – Ryan Reynolds' spending becomes clear as Wrexham chief hits back Wrexham director of football Humphrey Ker has hit out at the club's critics who have accused Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney of "ruining football" with their spending A Wrexham director has hit back at critics of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images ) Wrexham director Humphrey Ker has hit back at critics of the club's financial approach, urging them to "shut up". Since Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over the reins of the Welsh team in February 2021, heavy investment has been made in the playing squad and infrastructure. The approach has reaped rewards, with Wrexham securing a remarkable third consecutive promotion last month. There's an expectation of increased expenditure as the team gears up for life in the Championship. Some figures have levelled criticism at the club for "ruining football", citing their hefty spending on salaries and new signings. The most significant spend was the £2million splashed to bring striker Sam Smith from Reading in the January transfer window. However, Ker has stressed that Wrexham's finances are well-managed, buoyed by major sponsorship deals. Speaking on the Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, he responded to queries about how their success has been received among opposing fans. He said: "Everyone's been incredibly nice, but you do see lots of people online like, 'Oh, they're ruining football, and it's disgraceful. This is everything that's wrong with modern football'. Article continues below Wrexham director Humphrey Ker addressed criticism of the club's spending on Radio X (Image: Radio X ) "You do end up thinking, well, hang on, there's a lot of football clubs that are going out of business because their owners are grinding money out of the fans. Also, just because you've got loads of money behind you, there's no guarantee that you are going to get back-to-back-to-back promotions. "It's never been done before and the other bonkers thing about us is that we've actually lived within our means. In the National League, we spent way more than anyone else. In League Two, we spent a fair bit more than everyone else. "In League One, we were basically spending about the same or less than a number of other clubs. Birmingham spent way more than we did and I think Huddersfield spent about the same, but all our money comes from sponsorship." 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. He added: "We get crazy sponsorship deals because of the documentary and because of Rob and Ryan. Everyone's like, 'They're going to run into PSR problems, financial fair play is going to catch up, and they're going to get bored.' Actually, we have only been spending what we've been earning so far, so shut up people." Wrexham's latest accounts reveal the club's annual turnover has rocketed to an astonishing £26.7m, largely due to the global interest ignited by Reynolds and McElhenney and the Welcome to Wrexham documentary. The figures for the financial year ending June 2024, when Phil Parkinson's side were still in League Two, marked a 155 per cent increase compared to the previous year. The team's popularity has also led to profitable commercial partnerships with companies such as United Airlines and HP, resulting in a significant increase in sponsorship revenue from £1.9m to £13.2m. Despite the impressive figures, Wrexham posted an overall loss of £2.7m during the 12-month period. In a significant financial boost for Wrexham, loans totalling £15m from owners Reynolds and McElhenney were repaid following the investment from the New York-based Allyn family and several large share issues in October. 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 Football finance guru Kieran Maguire has praised Wrexham's economic strength, indicating they are poised to be competitive in the Championship next season. Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: "Wrexham made three times as much as any other club in League Two, more than any other club in League One and they would be in the top half of the Championship,". "Therefore they're not that far behind the Championship's big hitters – the likes of Stoke and Norwich. It's an incredible achievement in terms of bringing in money. It's also their ability to become an international brand which has really driven this. Article continues below "I was teaching in Charlotte, North Carolina last year and the only shirts I saw were those of Wrexham, which is an amazing achievement and that's on the back of the documentary." Maguire also projected that Wrexham stand to gain an additional £8m in TV revenue from promotion to the second tier. "That would put them fairly close to all of the clubs except for those who will be in receipt of parachute payments in the Championship," he added.
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Wrexham critics told to 'shut up' as truth on Ryan Reynolds' spending emerges
Wrexham have been slammed in some quarters for spending large sums on wages and transfer fees, but a club director has hit back, insisting they are keeping within their means Wrexham director Humphrey Ker has blasted people who criticise the club's spending, telling them to "shut up". Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have invested millions since buying the Welsh side in February 2021. The actors' cash injection has paid off after the Red Dragons registered their third successive promotion last month. Further spending is anticipated as Wrexham prepare to compete in the Championship next season. However, the pair have been accused in some quarters of "ruining football" by forking out large sums on wages and transfer fees. The club's biggest outlay was the £2million paid out to lure striker Sam Smith from Reading in January. But Ker insists Wrexham are keeping within their means after attracting some major sponsorship deals in recent years. The comedian was speaking during an appearance on the Chris Moyles Show on Radio X after being asked how the club's success had been received by fans of rival teams. He said: "Everyone's been incredibly nice, but you do see lots of people online like, 'Oh, they're ruining football, and it's disgraceful. This is everything that's wrong with modern football'. "You do end up thinking, well, hang on, there's a lot of football clubs that are going out of business because their owners are grinding money out of the fans. Also, just because you've got loads of money behind you, there's no guarantee that you are going to get back-to-back-to-back promotions. "It's never been done before and the other bonkers thing about us is that we've actually lived within our means. In the National League, we spent way more than anyone else. In League Two, we spent a fair bit more than everyone else. "In League One, we were basically spending about the same or less than a number of other clubs. Birmingham spent way more than we did and I think Huddersfield spent about the same, but all our money comes from sponsorship." He added: "We get crazy sponsorship deals because of the documentary and because of Rob and Ryan. Everyone's like, 'They're going to run into PSR problems, financial fair play is going to catch up, and they're going to get bored.' Actually, we have only been spending what we've been earning so far, so shut up people." Wrexham's latest accounts show the club's annual turnover has soared to a staggering £26.7m, largely due to the global interest sparked by Reynolds and McElhenney and the Welcome to Wrexham documentary. The figures for the financial year ending June 2024, when Phil Parkinson's side were still in League Two, marked a 155 per cent increase compared to the previous year.. The team's popularity has also resulted in lucrative commercial partnerships with companies such as United Airlines and HP, resulting in a sharp rise in sponsorship revenue from £1.9m to £13.2m. Despite the impressive figures, Wrexham posted an overall loss of £2.7m during the 12-month period. In another significant development, it was recently confirmed that loans worth £15m provided by Reynolds and McElhenney have been repaid. The clearance of the large sum followed the arrival of the New York-based Allyn family as new minority investors in October and several large share issues. According to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, Wrexham are financially stable enough to challenge in the Championship next season. "Wrexham made three times as much as any other club in League Two, more than any other club in League One and they would be in the top half of the Championship,' Maguire told talkSPORT. "Therefore they're not that far behind the Championship's big hitters – the likes of Stoke and Norwich. It's an incredible achievement in terms of bringing in money. It's also their ability to become an international brand which has really driven this. "I was teaching in Charlotte, North Carolina last year and the only shirts I saw were those of Wrexham, which is an amazing achievement and that's on the back of the documentary." Maguire said the club would also receive an extra £8m in TV following promotion to the second tier. "That would put them fairly close to all of the clubs except for those who will be in receipt of parachute payments in the Championship," he added. 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. 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.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Welcome to Wrexham Season 4 OTT Release Date: When and where to watch Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds' series
Welcome to Wrexham Season 4 OTT Release Date: There's a big buzz in Wrexham again! Not only has the club secured promotion for a third straight season, but the hit documentary series Welcome to Wrexham is also back with Season 4, and it promises to be more exciting than ever. In the US, Welcome to Wrexham Season 4 will premiere on 15th May 2024, on FX, and will be available to stream on Hulu right after. Everywhere else in the world, it drops a day later on Thursday, 16th May 2024, on Disney+ (JioHotstar in India). The first two episodes will drop on day one, followed by weekly releases for the remaining six episodes. For the unversed, all previous seasons (1 to 3) are currently available on both platforms - a perfect time for a binge if you're new to the story! What's Welcome to Wrexham Season 4 all about? The stakes are even higher this season. With the men's team now charging ahead towards League One, the docuseries continues to follow their journey on and off the pitch. But this time, there's more! Season 4 also focuses on the Wrexham AFC Women's Team, who are giving their all in the Welsh Adran Premier League, facing off against some of the top sides. And if that's not enough, executive director Humphrey Ker is taking on a new challenge - training for a marathon. So expect a mix of football, emotions, and personal stories that fans have come to love. Why does this show still matter? When Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney first bought Wrexham AFC, it raised eyebrows. Now, it's raising trophies. Their bold dream of turning a small-town football club into a global story is happening in real-time, and this series captures every up and down along the way. By the way, Welcome to Wrexham has already won five Emmy Awards for its storytelling, editing, and production.
Wales Online
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wrexham unsung hero's huge net worth, relationship with Prince William, famous wife
Wrexham unsung hero's huge net worth, relationship with Prince William, famous wife Wrexham director Humphrey Ker has been credited with playing a huge role in the club's success, but there are many who know little about his fascinating life as an actor and writer Humphrey Ker (centre) has played a key role in Wrexham's success under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney (Image: PA ) Humphrey Ker has been hailed as one of the unsung heroes of Wrexham's success story under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Red Dragons have clinched an unprecedented third promotion in a row and will play in the Championship next season. Ker was involved in the celebrations at the Racecourse Ground as Phil Parkinson's side toasted their rise out of League One last weekend. The actor, writer and comedian has been with Wrexham since the early days of Reynolds and McElhenney's time as owners and sits on the board of directors. Despite having no previous experience in the football industry, he has been described as a key part of the club's achievements. Ker was even singled out for praise by former Wrexham and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster in the wake of their latest promotion. Speaking on the 'Fozcast' podcast, he said: "He's the man and it's completely fresh eyes because he didn't have a clue about football." Foster was backed up by ex-Wrexham captain Ben Tozer, who said: "I love everything about him, his eccentricity. The way he speaks is just so eloquent." Here's the story of Ker's intriguing life, covering everything from his connection with Prince William to his famous wife and net worth. From attending Eton to becoming football director Born in October 1982, the 42-year-old is the son of David Ker, a fine art dealer, and Alexandra, the daughter of a Royal Navy officer. Ker attended Ludgrove School and Eton College as a youngster and went on to study history at the University of Edinburgh. Article continues below It was during this time that he met fellow students David Reed and Thom Tuck and formed a sketch group called The Penny Dreadfuls, who penned comedies for Radio 4. In 2011, Ker won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer for his show Dymock Watson: Nazi Smasher! Wrexham director Humphrey Ker has a fascinating life story (Image: Lyndsay Radnedge/) After moving to Los Angeles in 2013, he began taking on more writing roles, eventually securing a job on the Apple TV series Mythic Quest. The workplace comedy series is set in a gaming firm and was created by Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney, who also stars in the show. During the filming of Mythic Quest's first season, Ker inadvertently set off a chain of events that led to Reynolds and McElhenney purchasing Wrexham. In the early days of the Covid lockdown, Ker would often watch his favourite team, Liverpool FC, during breaks in filming. Ker's affection for the Premier League team caught the attention of sports enthusiast McElhenney, who initially couldn't grasp the appeal. However, after Ker recommended the Netflix documentary Sunderland 'Til I Die, McElhenney became enthralled. The suggestion clearly worked, as McElhenney suddenly proposed the idea of buying a football club to Ker. Ker then created a set of criteria, scoring teams based on factors like facilities, fanbase, history, and finance. Wrexham scored the highest, partly due to its rich history. McElhenney managed to persuade Deadpool star Reynolds to join the venture, and their takeover of Wrexham was finalised in February 2021. Ker was the first representative on the ground in North Wales, acting as a crucial liaison for the new owners during a period when international travel was challenging. He was soon appointed as a director, and has remained at the club ever since. Net worth It's not known exactly how much Ker is worth but it has been estimated he has a net worth of around £3.75m. As well as being a writer on Mythic Quest, Ker has also acted in two season of the NBC sitcom American Auto. More recently, Ker has penned a comedy play titled Sherlock Holmes and The Twelve Days of Christmas, collaborating with former Penny Dreadfuls member David Reed. The mystery play, set to debut in Birmingham in November, boasts original songs by the legendary musical duo Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, known for their contributions to some of the most iconic musicals in history. Growing up with Prince William Ker first encountered Prince William when they both attended Ludgrove School and Eton College as youngsters. He even shared a bedroom with the Prince of Wales before they eventually drifted apart. Their paths crossed again years later when William made an unexpected visit to Wrexham. Ker was reunited with his old school friend on March 1, 2024 at an event held at the Racecourse Ground to mark St David's Day. Wrexham director Humphrey Ker catches up with Prince William at the Turf pub (Image: (Photo by) ) During his visit, William met with Ker and McElhenney at The Turf pub. The heartfelt reunion was caught on camera during filming for the third series of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary. The Prince nostalgically remarked "it's been a while" as they warmly greeted each other. Ker divulged details about their childhood bond in later scenes: "I went to school with Prince William. I have known him since I was seven, or something like that," he said. "We literally shared a bedroom from (the age of) seven until 10." The encounter not only provided captivating content for Disney+ but also highlighted a poignant full-circle moment for Ker. Ker's famous wife Humphrey Ker and Megan Ganz at the finish line during the 2025 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon (Image: Bryan Bedder/New York Road Runners via Getty Images ) Ker is married to Megan Ganz, a comedy writer and producer who is part of the team behind McElhenney's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. She was born on June 1, 1984 in Ann Arbor, Michigan and has also been involved in shows such as Modern Family, Community and Mythic Quest. Article continues below The couple have been married since May 30, 2015 after meeting in LA two years earlier whilst Ker was filming a pilot called Holding Pattern. The show was not picked up but it meant he found his future wife after they were introduced through a mutual friend who worked on the sitcom. While many associated with Wrexham were nursing hangovers last Sunday, the pair ran the Manchester Marathon together to raise money for the Wrexham Miners Project. They also ran the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon in March.
Leader Live
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Wrexham AFC's Humphrey Ker completes Manchester Marathon
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney may be the face of the club, but Humphrey Ker has also become a popular figure via the Welcome to Wrexham documentary. On Sunday (April 27), he participated in the Manchester Marathon on behalf of the Wrexham Miners Project, for which he is a patron. His superb effort saw him raising more than £125,000 to support the restoration of the historic Wrexham Miners Rescue Station. In his own words, Humphrey, who had never run a marathon before, joked: 'I'm not a marathon runner—having never done one before—as I'm tall and built to take things off a top shelf.' After the marathon, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm that he was still alive... Not dead. A day after Wrexham earned promotion to the EFL Championship, Humphrey crossed the finish line with courage, humour, and a heart full of determination to support a cause close to his heart. Originally setting a target of £100,000, Humphrey's incredible effort, combined with overwhelming generosity from fans, supporters, and the wider community, saw the total surge well beyond expectations. All funds raised will contribute toward the restoration of the Superintendent's House, part of the Grade II listed Miners Rescue Station. Once completed, the building will provide supported living accommodation for four individuals with Special Support Needs, helping them lead fulfilling, connected lives within the Wrexham community. John Gallanders, Chair of Trustees at the Wrexham Miners Project, said: "Humphrey's achievement is nothing short of inspiring. His personal commitment and the extraordinary support from donors will help us transform the Rescue Station into a vibrant home and community hub, honouring the memory of Wrexham's miners while creating new opportunities for the future." TOP STORIES TODAY The restoration project is part of Wrexham AFC's broader pledge to donate over £250,000 to the Wrexham Miners Project, supporting its mission of "saving history, building community." The total cost of restoring the Superintendent's House is estimated at £400,000, with construction expected to begin in May and the first residents moving in by January 2026. Humphrey Ker at the Manchester Marathon finish line. (Image: Wrexham Miners Project) Adding to the celebrations, earlier in April, Humphrey, alongside WMP trustees, volunteers, and staff, was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Wrexham University—marking the first time the University has honoured a group in recognition of "services to heritage, culture, and the wider community." The Wrexham Miners Project warmly invites donors, supporters, and the general public to visit the Rescue Station, open Monday to Saturday, to see first-hand how their contributions are making history and changing lives.
