Latest news with #McElhenney
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Tom Brady gives snappy reaction to Wrexham mention alongside David Beckham
CBS Sports presenter Kate Scott dropped a clanger when she incorrectly introduced NFL legend Tom Brady as the part-owner of Birmingham City's rivals Wrexham NFL legend Tom Brady looked visibly annoyed after being described as an investor in the wrong team. The seven-time Super Bowl champion was interviewed by CBS Sports on Saturday as part of the American network's coverage of the Champions League final. Brady appeared alongside guests David Beckham, Tom Cruise and Thierry Henry to discuss the clash between PSG and Inter Milan, which ended in an emphatic 5-0 win for the French side. During the chat, attention was turned to football club ownership, with Brady holding a minority stake in Birmingham City. However, presenter Kate Scott dropped a clanger when she incorrectly introduced the 47-year-old as part-owner of the Blues' rivals Wrexham. In awkward footage shared on social media, she said: "Can we talk about football ownership for a second? We've got Thierry, who's in Serie A with Como. David, obviously Inter Miami, but you've also got Salford as well." Turning to Brady, Scott said: "And you're obviously with Wrexham. We should say congratulations by the way." Brady then interjects, pointing out her error, before adding: "We kicked Wrexham's a** this year, multiple times." Scott is seen in the clip looking mortified, before grabbing his arm. Wrexham, owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, developed a rivalry with Birmingham as they battled for promotion from League One this season. The Blues ultimately came out on top after clinching the title, but will be joined by the Red Dragons in the Championship next term after they finished second. Both sets of owners have been only too happy to stoke the flames in what's been dubbed the "Hollywood derby". Beckham was among those in attendance as Birmingham emerged 3-1 winners during the first tie between the two teams at St. Andrews back in September. Wrexham clinched a 1-1 draw in the return game at the Racecourse Ground in January to regain some pride. The rivalry is touched upon in the new series of the Welcome to Wrexham docuseries, which follows Reynolds and McElhenney's journey as owners of the Welsh club. During one episode, Brady and McElhenney are shown side by side on the pitch ahead of the early-season clash at St. Andrews. McElhenney can't hide his embarrassment after Brady is shown a clip from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, where his character Mac promises to damage the former quarterback's arm. Brady quips: "What's wrong with you? Why would you write that? Get him out, I want him out of here," while McElhenney desperately attempts to justify the scene. The two clubs will renew hostilities again in the Championship next season. Birmingham have been tipped by some pundits as the more likely team to challenge for promotion again next term. Speaking recently, former Aston Villa and Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood said: "It'll be harder for Wrexham to go back-to-back than Birmingham. "Obviously, the fanbase is a little bit bigger there, so they can spend more money. There is a lot of surgery they (Wrexham) would need to be able to do to survive in the Championship, to their players and the playing squad." However, Wrexham assistant manager Steve Parkin has responded bullishly when asked about their chances of competing. "I heard some rubbish a couple of weeks ago that if Wrexham got in the Championship, we'd struggle," he told The Leader. "[I thought] hang on a minute, can we just enjoy this - a remarkable achievement - and see what happens. Plenty of people would have accepted mid-table mediocrity in League One, so to finish in second spot behind a remarkable Birmingham team is absolutely phenomenal." 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.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Wrexham owner shows he hasn't forgotten chairman's 'never heard of them' quip
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has sent a classy message to Oldham Athletic chairman Frank Rothwell after the Latics secured promotion from the National League Rob McElhenney has extended congratulations to a football club chairman who previously expressed ignorance about Wrexham 's Hollywood co-owners. Oldham Athletic owner Frank Rothwell aimed a jibe at McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds prior to an FA Cup match between his team and Wrexham in 2022. During an ITV interview, Rothwell made light of the two actors' achievements, claiming he had never heard of them and hadn't watched their movies or TV series. "I don't know who the hell they are," Rothwell said. "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] will disappear. That won't happen to Oldham." However, Wrexham emerged victorious, defeating Oldham 3-0 in the cup clash and later secured promotion from the National League that season. Despite Rothwell's slight, McElhenney and Reynolds showed their light-hearted side, responding with a humorous video documenting his life. They said: "Born in England in 1950, he grew up to be a 72-year-old 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." They also generously contributed £1,600 to Rothwell's fundraising efforts for Alzheimer's Research UK, as he tackled a solo Atlantic crossing in 2024. The Oldham chief expressed his gratitude, saying: "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." Oldham emerged as winners in the National League play-off final on Sunday, beating Southend 3-2 after extra time. McElhenney wittily harked back to Rothwell's memorable quote as he extended his congratulations after the final whistle. 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." Chris Wall posted: "Class act Rob, great that everyone sees Frank's part in all this." Another wrote: "Thanks Rob, that's a nice touch, we are over the moon." Someone else added: "Absolute class and bants in equal measures." Oldham are set to compete in League Two next season, whilst Wrexham are gearing up for a stint in the Championship, having clinched second place in League One this term. It marks the first time the Red Dragons will grace the second tier since 1982. 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.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Reynolds must get wallet out - Wrexham's Prem dream won't happen sitting back
If someone had told me in 2020 that Wrexham would be playing in the Championship in five years' time, I'd have laughed them out of the room. In April of that year, the Red Dragons registered their lowest-ever position, finishing 20th in the National League after clubs voted to end the 2019/20 season early following the Covid outbreak. Wrexham were precariously positioned just three points above the drop zone, only a sliver away from slipping into regional, mostly part-time football. The club was also in a perilous situation off the field as directors warned the pandemic was having a "serious effect" on its financial health. Enter Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at a time when Wrexham were in urgent need of a lifeline. Fast forward to the present day and, in what feels like a fever dream, Phil Parkinson's side are now just one step away from the Premier League after securing three successive promotions. As a supporter of around 25 years, the list of teams Wrexham will be playing in the Championship next season really whets the appetite. In fact, I must have run through it at least a dozen times already. When Reynolds and McElhenney attended their first game, it was against Maidenhead United in the fifth tier. The prospect of facing the likes of Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton, who were all plying their trade in the Premier League last term, is undoubtedly an exciting one. But with the top tier now in sight, the club stands at a critical crossroads. Where do they go from here - do they go all-out for a potential fourth fairytale promotion? Or would aiming for consolidation and creating a sustainable base be a better idea before mounting a challenge? The views of the owners already seem pretty clear. Not long after Wrexham's latest promotion from League One was confirmed, McElhenney wrote on X: "If I'm being honest I don't even know what the word 'consolidation' means," before tagging the club into his post. McElhenney's enthusiasm is infectious, but after once shaking buckets around the town centre to raise funds to keep the club alive, I find it hard not to feel slightly nervous in the back of my head. The Championship is a different beast from any challenge the owners have faced before. To put it plainly, it's an unpredictable dogfight and a financially volatile league at the best of times. Welsh comedian and football devotee Elis James, who, as a Swansea fan, knows just as well as anyone what life in the second tier is like. "From what I know, the Championship is financial suicide for everyone because of the big contracts, and you're earning less," he said. That's not a joke either - just look at clubs like Reading and Derby, and it's not hard to see how it can all go wrong. But James also acknowledges that Wrexham, buoyed by their booming commercial revenue and Hollywood backing, are in a unique position, with "less to worry about" in that regard. When I talked to football finance expert Dan Plumley, he also backed that up, pointing to the astonishing £26.7million revenue Wrexham pulled in whilst playing in League Two. That figure dwarfs some current Championship clubs and should ease any concerns about the club's position as far as profitability and sustainability (PSR) rules are concerned. Reynolds and McElhenney have also shored up Wrexham's financial position by welcoming new minority investors in the form of the Allyn family from New York, who aren't short of a dollar or two. Next season will be the first time in 43 years that the club has played in the Championship, but they're not going into battle light-handed. So, what does that mean as far as going for promotion next season is concerned? No one is saying it'll be easy, but this is the time to be bold and go for it. Wrexham's revenue, commercial reach, and star-powered ownership offer a safety net which most clubs can only dream of. While most newcomers are fighting for survival, this shouldn't be Wrexham's reality. As Plumley, speaking on behalf of Gambling Industry News, put it to me: "You could see them having a roll of the dice on trying to get to the Premier League for the next three years. With the owners, they're likely to give it a go." Reynolds and McElhenney should not abandon all sense of caution. Championship success still depends on smart recruitment, strong squad depth, and tactical flexibility. Some will point to the club's lack of infrastructure as a reason to hold back. With no permanent training ground and a capacity of only 10,000 next season while a new stand is being built, it's a fair argument. But when the Hollywood owners first came to town, they outlined a pretty clear goal: to reach the Premier League. It sounded fanciful at the time, but now it is within touching reach. Momentum is important in football, and few are riding the wave like Wrexham right now. No one could whinge and whine if Wrexham fail to achieve that dream at the first time of asking. It would be quite the story. They have already invested significantly in the club, but a large cash injection is needed again, and the mentality must be to aim high - which, under Parkinson, I'm sure it will be. James, who was recently appointed as a judge for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, added: "If you're a proper football person who's worked in the game for years and years, you're going to say, 'let's consolidate'. I don't know if that's good telly, though, and I'm not sure that's how Hollywood superstars think." There's a rare "lightning in a bottle" energy around Wrexham right now, and the owners need to strike while the iron is hot. If they harness it correctly, they might just achieve their dream of top-flight football sooner rather than later. 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. Fans are already excited about next season, with Wrexham recently linked with signing Premier League stars like Jamie Vardy and Tom Cairney in the summer transfer window. With PSR limits looming further down the line, a well-planned but ambitious push over the next few years would be both financially viable and strategically shrewd. Because playing it too safe could cause them to lose their edge. What if the fairytale dulls, the brand stagnates, and new fans start moving on? Yes, the Championship is an unforgiving monster, and yes, the climb is steep. But Wrexham now have the peak of the mountain within their reach, with financial backing and a global spotlight which few others can match. Sometimes in football, you get a window. And when it opens, you don't consolidate - you climb through it. 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. 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.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Rob McElhenney's furious reply to Wrexham haters as Hollywood star tells them 'f*** off'
Rob McElhenney's furious reply to Wrexham haters as Hollywood star tells them 'f*** off' Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has hit out at the club's critics in a foul-mouthed rant, as the Hollywood star and Ryan Reynolds continue to be mocked by rival fans Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have fired back at their critics (Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images ) Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has hit back at the club's detractors by labelling them "jaded p***ks". Since acquiring the North Wales team in February 2021 with fellow actor Ryan Reynolds, McElhenney has been instrumental in propelling them to new heights. The Red Dragons have seen a surge in international support following the popularity of the 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary series on Disney+. The club has impressively achieved three consecutive promotions, rising from the National League to the Championship. Despite their remarkable ascent, not everyone has celebrated Wrexham's achievements, with some rival fans criticising the club and its high-profile owners. A term coined to deride the team is "Disney FC", which also happens to be the title of the latest instalment of the documentary. The episode delves into the scornful attitudes of other supporters, with Reynolds and McElhenney confronting the jibes head-on. In an early scene, McElhenney, known for his role in 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia', delivers a comical expletive-laden tirade. Addressing the critics, McElhenney says: "The rest of you jaded p***ks can go f*** your f****ng selves. " He later continues with a half-hearted apology, saying: "Two things. One, to all the opposing clubs that are upset we didn't choose them and went with Wrexham instead, I am sorry. And two, what was two again?" Article continues below Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have shone a huge spotlight on Wrexham (Image: Leon Bennett/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images ) Reynolds responds: "One was sorry we thought Wrexham was more special than the other clubs, and two was..." The scene then humorously depicts the duo giving a middle-finger salute to the cameras, coupled with the cheeky flick of the V-sign. Towards the episode's conclusion, McElhenney delves into the "Disney FC" label more sincerely, saying: "We get the Disney FC thing. Trust us, we understand. Obviously, we're having some fun with that. "But in all seriousness, Wrexham is just magic. I don't know why and I don't know how, but it just keeps happening, for the four years we've been there and the 150 years before that." 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. The remarkable rise of Wrexham appears to be unrelenting, with Reynolds and McElhenney aiming to reach the Premier League. Following their promotion from League One, the club has been linked with top-level players like Leicester's Jamie Vardy and Fulham skipper Tom Cairney. Since the Hollywood takeover, Wrexham have faced brickbats over the substantial amount of money spent on player salaries and transfers. However, club director Humphrey Ker reaffirmed this week that he believes their expenditure is sustainable, anchored by large sponsorship agreements. During an appearance on the Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, 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'. 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 "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. We get crazy sponsorship deals because of the documentary and because of Rob and Ryan." He added: "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."
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'You jaded p***ks' – Rob McElhenney blows his top as Wrexham owner finally bites
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have faced their fair share of criticism from rival fans since taking over Wrexham and guiding them from the National League to the Championship Rob McElhenney has let rip at Wrexham 's haters after branding them "jaded p***ks". McElhenney bought the Welsh side in February 2021, alongside Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, and has helped lift them to new heights. The Red Dragons have garnered a new global fanbase thanks to the success of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, which airs on Disney+. The club has achieved three promotions in a row, jumping from the National League into the Championship. However, Wrexham's meteoric rise hasn't gone down well everywhere, with supporters of rival teams taking aim at the club and its owners. One popular label used to mock them is "Disney FC", which is also the title of the latest episode of the Wrexham docuseries. The main plotline focuses on the negative views of other fans, with the Hollywood actors directly addressing their critics. Reynolds and McElhenney are seen discussing the nickname in an early scene, with the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia launching into a hilarious X-rated rant. In a clear message to opposition supporters, McElhenney says: ""The rest of you jaded p***ks can go f*** your f****ng selves." He later adds: "Two things. One, to all the opposing clubs that are upset we didn't choose them and went with Wrexham instead, I am sorry. And two, what was two again?" Reynolds replies: "One was sorry we thought Wrexham was more special than the other clubs, and two was…" The pair are then shown jokingly giving a middle-finger gesture to the cameras, along with flicking the V sign. McElhenney is featured towards the end of the episode, tackling the "Disney FC" moniker in a more earnest manner. He says: "We get the Disney FC thing. Trust us, we understand. Obviously, we're having some fun with that. "But in all seriousness, Wrexham is just magic. I don't know why and I don't know how, but it just keeps happening, for the four years we've been there and the 150 years before that." Wrexham's rapid progress is showing no signs of slowing, with Reynolds and McElhenney setting their sights firmly on reaching the Premier League. The club has already been linked with a series of top tier talents following their latest promotion from League One, including the likes of Leicester striker Jamie Vardy and Fulham captain Tom Cairney. One of the main criticisms levelled at Wrexham since the takeover has been the millions of pounds spent on wages and transfer fees by the two actors. But club director Humphrey Ker has insisted this week that they are keeping within their means after securing some impressive sponsorship deals in recent years. Speaking during an appearance on the Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, 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. We get crazy sponsorship deals because of the documentary and because of Rob and Ryan." He added: "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." 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.
