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ITV News
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Ryan Reynolds: We weren't kidding about making history at Wrexham
Ryan Reynolds says Wrexham have made 'history' despite doubters believing him and fellow co-owner Rob McElhenney were either joking or crazy to think their dreams of being in the Premier League could be possible. On Saturday, the North Wales club earned a place in the Championship with their third promotion in a row, bringing them one step away from the Premier League. Hollywood stars McElhenney and Reynolds watched from the stands as Wrexham finished with a 3-0 home win over Charlton at the Sky Bet League One match at SToK Racecourse. In an Instagram post on Sunday, 48-year-old actor Reynolds said: 'We've been with Wrexham for what seems like the blink of an eye, but so much has happened. 'I remember the first press conference, we were asked what our goals were… and I think Rob jumped in with, 'The Premiere League.' 'People laughed. They had every right to. It seemed insane… But we weren't kidding.' Footage from when Wrexham were last promoted to the then Second Division (now known as the Championship) of English football in 1978 The Deadpool actor added he feels at 'home' in Wrexham, which he sees as a 'place that values community, decency and history'. He cited their 'respect' for the 1934 mining fire, the Gresford Colliery disaster, and 'feeling of hope and miracles created' by ex-Wrexham and Manchester United footballer Mickey Thomas, who was also at the match on Saturday. Reynolds said Wrexham 'made history' with their third promotion, and added 'that doesn't happen without the wisdom of (manager) Phil Parkinson and his coaching staff, or the talent' of the team. He said he 'watched Sam Smith create a frightening blend between football and martial arts, scoring our second goal yesterday', following midfielder Oliver Rathbone taking an early lead with the first. 'The stadium feels like a church,' Reynolds added. 'I know so many of you now. Since February, 2021, I've watched babies become regulars. 'And some regulars depart us for good. We've had the honour to scatter ashes of loved ones across that field. I've even watched every available hand shovel snow off the pitch to keep a match from cancellation. 'Somebody said the Welsh have the 'heart of a poet and the fist of a fighter.' That's what I love about this place. I wish the whole world could visit Wrexham. Diolch (thank-you).' Alongside the post, he shared images of himself hugging McElhenney, with his wife Blake Lively, and celebrating with the team. Since McElhenney and Reynolds's takeover in February 2021, Wrexham earned its second promotion to League One last year, after winning a place in League Two in 2023. They have also contributed to worldwide attention for the team through their FX documentary show Welcome To Wrexham – which has run for three series and earned eight Emmys. A fourth season is set to air next month. The football club has seen recent royal visits from the Prince of Wales and the King and Queen, and actors including Wolverine star Hugh Jackman. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia co-creator McElhenney and Reynolds were honoured in 2022 by the Welsh Government, the Football Association of Wales and S4C for promoting the country and its language with the Dragon Award.
CNN
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Ryan Reynolds celebrates Wrexham football club's historic promotion
Ryan Reynolds and his Wrexham A.F.C. family are celebrating the accomplishment of a major GOOOAAALLL. When Reynolds and 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' star Rob McElhenney took ownership of then-flailing football club Wrexham A.F.C. in 2021, the goal was always to bring the UK football club to the highest ranking league. On Saturday, they got one step closer to that goal when Wrexham beat Charlton Athletic, securing a promotion from League One to the Championship League next season, meaning the Welsh team needs just one more promotion to play in the elite Premier League. 'I remember the first press conference, we were asked what our goals were… and I think Rob jumped in with, 'The Premiere League,'' Reynolds, who attended the game with his wife Blake Lively, wrote on his Instagram page. 'People laughed. They had every right to. It seemed insane… But we weren't kidding.' This is the third time in a row the team has been promoted into a higher league. 'I feel at home here. It's a place that values community, decency and history,' he added. 'It isn't just a place with a history of ups and downs, it's also a FEELING. And a feeling is sometimes as good or better than a memory.' The 'Deadpool' star posted a series of photos and video, including a photo hugging McElhenney and another one embracing Lively. Lively also celebrated the team's win on her Instagram story on Saturday, acknowledging Wrexham's 'Back to Back to Back' wins and writing she will never forget 'the love and elation in that town today.' 'And to these two men, @robmcelhenney & @vancityreynolds the love and respect that pours out of you each and together exponentially grows and creates more joy, more possibilities, more magic, more history,' she added. McElhenney and Reynolds' docuseries 'Welcome to Wrexham' will debut its fourth season on May 15. The show follows the two actors on their quest to get their team promoted from the lower-level football leagues into more competitive and elite leagues, The series has won eight Emmys since it debuted in 2022.
The Herald Scotland
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Ryan Reynolds: We weren't kidding about making history at Wrexham
Hollywood stars McElhenney and Reynolds watched from the stands as Wrexham finished with a 3-0 home win over Charlton at the Sky Bet League One match at SToK Racecourse. In an Instagram post on Sunday, 48-year-old actor Reynolds said: 'We've been with Wrexham for what seems like the blink of an eye, but so much has happened. 'I remember the first press conference, we were asked what our goals were… and I think Rob jumped in with, 'The Premiere League.' 'People laughed. They had every right to. It seemed insane… But we weren't kidding.' The Deadpool actor added he feels at 'home' in Wrexham, which he sees as a 'place that values community, decency and history'. He cited their 'respect' for the 1934 mining fire, the Gresford Colliery disaster, and 'feeling of hope and miracles created' by ex-Wrexham and Manchester United footballer Mickey Thomas, who was also at the match on Saturday. Reynolds said Wrexham 'made history' with their third promotion, and added 'that doesn't happen without the wisdom of (manager) Phil Parkinson and his coaching staff, or the talent' of the team. Ryan Reynolds, left, and Mickey Thomas celebrate (Martin Rickett/PA) He said he 'watched Sam Smith create a frightening blend between football and martial arts, scoring our second goal yesterday', following midfielder Oliver Rathbone taking an early lead with the first. 'The stadium feels like a church,' Reynolds added. 'I know so many of you now. Since February, 2021, I've watched babies become regulars. 'And some regulars depart us for good. We've had the honour to scatter ashes of loved ones across that field. I've even watched every available hand shovel snow off the pitch to keep a match from cancellation. 'Somebody said the Welsh have the 'heart of a poet and the fist of a fighter.' That's what I love about this place. I wish the whole world could visit Wrexham. Diolch (thank-you).' Ryan Reynolds celebrated with a kiss with his wife Blake Lively after Wrexham scored their first goal (Martin Rickett/PA) Alongside the post, he shared images of himself hugging McElhenney, with his wife Blake Lively, and celebrating with the team. Since McElhenney and Reynolds's takeover in February 2021, Wrexham earned its second promotion to League One last year, after winning a place in League Two in 2023. They have also contributed to worldwide attention for the team through their FX documentary show Welcome To Wrexham – which has run for three series and earned eight Emmys. A fourth season is set to air next month. The football club has seen recent royal visits from the Prince of Wales and the King and Queen, and actors including Wolverine star Hugh Jackman. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia co-creator McElhenney and Reynolds were honoured in 2022 by the Welsh Government, the Football Association of Wales and S4C for promoting the country and its language with the Dragon Award.
Wales Online
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Ryan Reynolds sums up the Welsh perfectly as dramatic footage emerges from inside Wrexham box
Ryan Reynolds sums up the Welsh perfectly as dramatic footage emerges from inside Wrexham box Wrexham secured their third-straight promotion on Saturday with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McELhenney in attendance Ryan Reynolds and Rob McELhenney embrace at the full-time whistle (Image: Ryan Reynolds/Instagram ) Ryan Reynolds has paid tribute to the whole of Wrexham Football Club following their history-making back-to-back-to-back promotions to the Championship. The Dragons roared past Charlton 3-0 on Saturday to secure second place in the League One table and automatic promotion to the second tier. It completes a remarkable three years for Reynolds, co-owner Rob McELhenney, manager Phil Parkinson and all associated with the Racecourse club, with Wrexham progressing from the National League to the Championship in record time. Article continues below Reynolds and McELhenney were in attendance yesterday as The Addicks were seen off with relative ease despite there being an air of nervousness about the place before kick-off. Wycombe's defeat earlier in the day meant victory for Wrexham over Nathan Jones' side would seal their promotion fate and they suitably delivered. Reynolds was typically animated in the stands during the match and appeared to kick every ball, and emotional footage has now emerged of the moment promotion was sealed. The two Hollywood stars embraced at the full-time whistle with a pitch invasion taking place in the background. On Sunday morning Reynolds penned an emotional note to Wrexham fans, charting their journey as owners so far, while also summing up what it means to be Welsh quite perfectly. Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below "We've been with Wrexham for what seems like the blink of an eye, but so much has happened," he began. "I remember the first press conference, we were asked what our goals were… and I think Rob jumped in with, 'The Premiere League'. "People laughed. They had every right to. It seemed insane… But we weren't kidding. "I feel at home here. It's a place that values community, decency and history. From the respect it pays to the Gresford Disaster, to the feeling of hope and miracles created by Mickey Thomas. These are big reasons Wrexham is growing into what it always was. It isn't just a place with a history of ups and downs, it's also a FEELING. And a feeling is sometimes as good or better than a memory. "We made history. We've been promoted for a record third time in a row. "That doesn't happen without the wisdom of Phil Parkinson and his coaching staff, or the talent of Paul Mullin. It doesn't happen without Max Cleworth and Arthur Okonkwo. "Or Mark Howard who may have one of the hardest jobs there is. I watched Sam Smith create a frightening blend between football and martial arts, scoring our second goal yesterday. "The Stadium feels like a church. I know so many of you now. Since February, 2021, I've watched babies become regulars. And some regulars depart us for good. We've had the honour to scatter ashes of loved ones across that field. I've even watched every available hand shovel snow off the pitch to keep a match from cancellation. "Somebody said the Welsh have the 'heart of a poet and the fist of a fighter'. That's what I love about this place. I wish the whole world could visit Wrexham. Diolch."
