Latest news with #Rothwell
Daily Mirror
a day 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.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wrexham owner shows his class after rival's 'never heard of them' jibe to Ryan Reynolds and co
Wrexham owner shows his class after rival's 'never heard of them' jibe to Ryan Reynolds and co Oldham owner Frank Rothwell has taken a few digs at Wrexham's co-owners, but Rob McElhenney showed his true colours by congratulating him on his team's promotion to the EFL Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney (left) has congratulated Oldham on their promotion (Image: PA Wire/PA Images ) Rob McElhenney has shown his class by congratulating a football club chairman who once claimed he'd never heard of Wrexham's co-owners. Oldham Athletic owner Frank Rothwell aimed a dig at It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator McElhenney and Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds ahead of an FA Cup game between the Latics and Wrexham in 2022. Rothwell spoke dismissively of the two actors during an interview with ITV, saying he was unaware of them and hadn't seen their films or TV shows. He also cast doubt over how long they would stay interested in running the Red Dragons. "I don't know who the hell they are," said Rothwell. "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 AFC) will disappear. That won't happen to Oldham." Wrexham had the last laugh after beating Oldham 3-0 in the cup clash and securing promotion from the National League later that season. However, McElhenney and Reynolds appeared to take Rothwell's insults in good humour, later responding with a video charting his life. They said: "Born in England in 1950, he grew up to be a 72-year 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." Oldham Athletic owner Frank Rothwell, pictured celebrating promotion to the EFL, previously took a dig at Wrexham's co-chairmen (Image: PA ) Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ 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. They later donated £1,600 as Rothwell raised funds for Alzheimer's Research UK by rowing solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 2024. Speaking shortly after completing the challenge, the Oldham owner said: "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." McElhenney jokingly referenced the original exchange again on Sunday after Oldham sealed promotion from non-league's top tier. The Latics beat Southend 3-2 in the National League play-off final after coming back from 2-1 down to win in extra time. Sending his well wishes to Rothwell and Oldham on social media after the final whistle, McElhenney said: "Congrats @OfficialOAFC and especially to you Frank. So well deserved!!!!! Love, some guy you've never heard of ;)" 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 The tongue in cheek nod to Rothwell's comments was well received by Latics fans on X. 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." Article continues below Chris Wall posted: "Class act Rob, great that everyone sees Frank's part in all this." Another said: "Thanks Rob, that's a nice touch, we are over the moon." Someone else added: "Absolute class and bants in equal measures." Oldham will now play in League Two next season, while Wrexham are preparing for life in the Championship after finish second in League One this term. It will be the first time the Red Dragons have featured in the second tier since 1982.
The 42
4 days ago
- Business
- The 42
Former Premier League club and century-old institution fight for life in EFL
SOMETIMES YOU JUST have to accept that you won't find a better intro paragraph to a topic that football fans in this country might only be vaguely familiar with. So here is Matt Slater of The Athletic from July 2022, after another club in England was pulled back from the financial abyss by the short strings. 'Frank Rothwell left school at 14 to repair tractors but then built a multi-million-pound business. He is also the oldest man to row across the Atlantic, raising another million for charity in the process, is one of only 10 sailors to circumnavigate both North and South America, has survived cancer and has built the world's only coal-powered Land Rover. But he is not promising any miracles at Oldham Athletic, the 127-year-old football club Rothwell has just rescued from four years of rancorous decline and almost certain bankruptcy.' Just shy of three years on and both Rothwell and Oldham are just a little bit older now. But this is no longer a tired, old club. It is rejuvenated and, today/tomorrow (Sunday), 90 minutes (or more) away from returning to the English Football League when they face Southend United in the National League play-off final at Wembley. Barnet, managed by Dubliner Dean Brennan, just secured automatic promotion out of the fifth tier of English football with 101 points. A division where players are often on a merry-go-round between clubs, with a somewhat insular transfer market and varied ownership models. It sounds a lot like home, although the seven-year broadcast deal agreed with DAZN is twice the length of the one agreed between Virgin and the League of Ireland and is estimated to be worth between circa £100,000-130,000 per club. Southend's story is one of equal distress in recent years, their fall and fragile rise the epitome of a dysfunctional ecosystem that led to their relegation in 2021 after 101 years in the Football League. Kevin Maher is the former Ireland underage international attempting to inspire a return as manager. Advertisement For Oldham, their tale of woe can also be quickly told, one they feared might become an epitaph: First founding members of the Premier League relegated from the Football League. That ignominy came in the months before Rothwell came to the rescue. Their last home win in the Premier League was a 4-1 triumph over Queens Park Rangers on 2 April, 1994. There were 10,440 in attendance at Boundary Park. Thirty one years later they remain in that venue just north of Manchester, some 13 kilometres from Old Trafford, but there were more fans through the gates (10,865) for their most recent home in the play-off series than when they last tasted victory in the top flight. That is an indication of their resilience, something that was tested severely under the previous stewardship of Abdallah Lemsagam, who took control of Oldham in 2018 and, despite insisting that he invested close to €7 million, oversaw their collapse. Rothwell, the local businessman, was ushered in and the respective ownership models of these two clubs vying for promotion are also indicative of contrasting models that have emerged throughout Europe – including the League of Ireland. None have quite matched the glamour of Hollywood pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhinney at Wrexham. They took over in 2022, the same year Oldham were relegated, went up as champions the following seasons. Successive promotions have followed and they're now in the Championship. Australian businessman Justin Rees has a much lower profile and heads up the Custodians of Southend United (COSU) consortium, with further investment announced in November from USA-based technology entrepreneur Shivaas Gulati. Given the club announced a pre-tax loss on 1 May of £2.65 million for the 12 months up until the end of July '24, it's understandable further resources were required. Relegated clubs from League Two also receive parachute payments for up two seasons in the National League, worth 100% of the estimated £1.5 million that comes for the EFL's 'basic award amount' as well as solidarity payments from the Premier League. If they remain for a second term it drops to 55%. It means, like the League of Ireland, this is a division where budgets and player wages can fluctuate wildly, where players taking part in this game at Wembley will be earning upwards of £5,000 per week and opponents elsewhere will be scratching around on a few hundred. The combined budgets for these two sides in the play-off final are estimated by sources with knowledge of the league to be in the region of £4m-£5m. Additional revenues will of course come from promotion to the EFL, such as an estimated £300,000 per year for League Two clubs as part of the new television deal that was signed with Sky Sports ahead of last season. There are additional expenditures, of course, and only this April the English FA published the total amount paid to agents in the professional pyramid – of which 23 of the 24 clubs in the National League are full-time, with only Tamworth, who finished 10th, understood to still be part-time. One of the four who did suffer relegation are also believed to have an annual budget touching £2m, with only a small reduction expected to bounce back up given there are players in the Northern and Southern National Leagues that can earn up to £2,000 per week. Back on the agent-fee front, the English FA tallied the amount in the men's game to be £483,615,068 between February 2024 and 2025. Of that, £952,638 came from the National League system with Oldham (£94,707) and Southend (£103,227) still trailing Forest Green Rovers (£133,184) and York City (£109,596). Top National League clubs may, of course, be in a position to offer more money to some of the best League of Ireland players but not by much at the top end and ours is not really a market too many will dabble in. For Oldham and Southend, Wembley provides a glorious day out after their darkest hour. But as both of these clubs know the shot at glory always comes at a cost.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Oldham chief saved club after rowing Atlantic solo as Latics bid for EFL return
In the battle of clubs who beat the Grim Reaper, fearless eccentric Frank Rothwell reveals rowing 3,000 miles across the Big Pond and scaling Africa's tallest peak were simple exercises compared with his rescue mission at Oldham Athletic People's champion Frank Rothwell is an intrepid eccentric who has rowed solo across the Atlantic twice in his seventies and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. But saving Oldham Athletic from oblivion has been his toughest gig - and now he is 90 minutes away from his rescue act's crowning glory. If they climb back into the Football League at Sunday's National League play-off final against Southend, in a battle of clubs who beat the Grim Reaper, it will be Oldham's first promotion for 34 years since the giddy days of Joe Royle's management. When the Latics chairman bought Oldham and adjoining land around Boundary Park for £12 million three years ago, he led a brass band down Sheepfoot Lane to the ground in a triumphal march - and he's been calling the tune ever since. Footage of Rothwell, in his flat cap, thanking all 399 travelling supporters for making a long-haul excursion to Braintree just before Christmas with a handshake almost broke the internet. A glorious snapshot of a chairman and his flock on the same page. It's a far cry from the dark days of unlamented previous owner Abdallah Lemsagam's chaotic reign, culminating in coffins being carried to mark the death of the club, pitch invasions, boycotts and games being halted by cascades of tennis balls. And the 22,000 Latics fans making the pilgrimage to Wembley - where their hearts were broken by Mark Hughes' last-gasp equaliser for Manchester United in an FA Cup semi-final on their last visit in 1994 - will contain a special contingent. 'Most men of my age have a bucket list of things to do before the sun sets, but I haven't got one - I've been lucky in business, lucky in love and lucky in life,' said Rothwell. 'The only thing I want to do with the rest of my days is help to make Oldham a better place for everybody, and that doesn't just mean taking our football club back into the League. 'We have a 30 per cent population of Asian heritage, and in the past either they have not embraced Oldham Athletic or, for one reason or another, the faces in our crowds have not been an accurate reflection of the town's community. But at Wembley, we will have two coachloads of supporters from a group called the Banglatics - new supporters from Bangladeshi origins - how cool is that? Just imagine if they spread the word and bring their friends next time. 'We are breaking down barriers in our town. Oldham Athletic is going to be a force for unity. The mayor is coming to Wembley, and our former manager John Sheridan is going to be sitting behind the goal with the punters, it's going to be magic.' Rothwell has the common touch, like buying £20 worth of raffle tickets at a pre-season friendly with Barrow and handing them to a young girl attending the game with her grandmother. When the draw was made, she won £287. But it hasn't all been handshakes and a magic touch with raffles. Climbing Africa's highest peak and rowing 3,000 miles across the Big Pond were a piece of cake compared with the shell of a club he inherited. 'Getting Oldham Athletic back on its feet has been the hardest one by far,' he said. 'The place was feeling a bit sorry for itself and its very existence was on the line. We were so close to extinction the coroner was on standby. When you climb up Kilimanjaro, how fast can you walk? Only as fast as the slowest member of your group. 'When you are rowing across the Atlantic, is it difficult? Yes, but I've done it twice, so it can't be that difficult. Is it dangerous? Yes, it's a bit dangerous if the boat rolls over and you get thrown into the sea. That happened to me, and I lost my heat and glasses, but if you prepare for these things, it's not a big deal. You think of everything that could go wrong and you have it covered. 'If you're awake, you don't rest. You are either rowing, eating or sleeping. You mix your Pot Noodles with cold water - leave it for 20 minutes and the consistency is no different - and that's all there is to it. Lifting a football club out of hard times is much more difficult because you are not in control of everything. 'There had been no maintenance on the ground for goodness knows how long, so one of the first things we did was to bring in 200 kerbs and make it easier to come down the steps in the main stand. And the very first thing we did was to install a prayer room in the ground. If we want to attract more people of Asian heritage, we have to make sure they are catered for.' Micky Mellon's side have breezed through the play-offs so far, wiping out Halifax 4-0 and winning 3-0 at York, whose 96 points in the regular league season counted for nothing in the end. Fortunately, the wet wipes who tried to cap both Oldham and Southend's ticket allocations at 17,500 each because Wembley Park Tube station will be closed have seen sense and raised the capacity to 50,000 fans. Extra trains will be running to Wembley Stadium and Wembley Central stations, but the ill-timed engineering works on the Underground will bring convoys of extra coaches descending on Wembley. How does that square with the Mayor of London's net zero agenda? And what did they make of the kerfuffle across town at Twickenham, where they regularly host 80,000 crowds at rugby internationals at a venue served by only one station? Rothwell radiates positivity and is convinced a happy ending to a fraught week is imminent. 'I know nothing about football,' he claimed. 'I'm not an expert, but I employ experts. That's how you get on.'
Dublin Live
27-05-2025
- Dublin Live
Body recovered from Wexford Harbour identified as missing Wicklow grandfather
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An elderly man whose body was tragically recovered by RNLI volunteers in Wexford Harbour earlier this month has been named locally. The deceased male was recovered by the Coast Guard and RNLI in the Irish Sea, east of Raven Point near Curracloe, and brought to shore on Saturday, May 10. The alarm was raised by a local fisherman who noticed something floating off the bar buoy. The man has since been identified as grandfather-of-four Victor (Winston) Rothwell, from Tinahely in Co Wicklow, who had been reported missing since his car was discovered abandoned close to Ballymoney Beach on April 13. It is understood that Mr Rothwell had been in the water for some time and specialised efforts were required to identify him. Mr Rothwell's family issued a statement through Brian Brennan, TD for the Wicklow/Wexford Constituency, thanking the members of the emergency services who helped with the search and recovery of his body. "The family of the person missing since April 13th from Tinahely on Ballymoney Beach have been contacted by an Garda Síochána to confirm that the body found on Curracloe beach is that of their father, Mr Rothwell," Mr Brennan wrote in a message shared on his Facebook page. "They wish to thank everyone who helped with the search and recovery of his body in particular the Coastal Authorities, RNLI and the Gardai. Furthermore they will be forever grateful to the communities of Tinahely, Ballymoney and Castletown who turned out in huge numbers for the search. "Our thoughts and prayers are now with the Rothwell Family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam." Mr Rothwell is survived by his son Nigel, daughter Gillian, daughter-in-law Sarah, son-in-law Mark, and his grandchildren Dylan, Zoe, Harry and Ellie, his sisters Valerie and Hazel, brother Ivan, extended family and friends. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Valerie and sister Emily. Those who knew Mr Rothwell, who was aged in his 80s, have described him as "a pleasant and gentle person" who "was warm, affable and was always ready to lend a hand when called upon". Emotional tributes have been paid to the former mechanic, with one mourner saying: "We are so sorry for your loss Nigel, Gillian and all the family. Victor was certainly a gentleman. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. May Victor rest in eternal peace." Another added: "Deepest sympathy to Nigel and Gillian on your Dad's passing. We also extend our condolences to his siblings Ivan, Valerie, Hazel and the extended family. Victor was warm, affable and was always ready to lend a hand when called upon. May he rest in eternal peace. A third said: "Sending sincere condolences to all of Victor's family and friends, at this very sad time of his passing. Always such a pleasant and gentle person. May he rest in peace. A neighbour of Mr Rothwell's said: "Victor was one of nature's gentlemen. He helped my husband and I on so many occasions. He will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace." Mr Rothwell was well-known in the local community for his work at Rothwell's Garage, with a former customer saying: "So very sorry to learn of Victor's passing and condolences to the family. Victor fixed many a bicycle puncture for me and later serviced my first car. Always with such care and professionalism. A gentleman to his fingertips. Rest well and peacefully now Victor." Another added: "So sorry for your loss, I remember him from his time back in the garage, a real in peace." Mr Rothwell's funeral will be held at 12pm on Tuesday at Kilcommon Church in Tinahely, with burial afterwards in the adjoining churchyard. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live 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. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
