Latest news with #ex-Wrexham
Wales Online
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wrexham's ex-Arsenal goalkeeper gets warning from David Raya - 'It's so much different'
Wrexham's ex-Arsenal goalkeeper gets warning from David Raya - 'It's so much different' Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has outlined the difficulty of life in the Championship as Wrexham prepare to play in the second tier for the first time in 43 years Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has spoken about the brutality of playing in the Championship ahead of Wrexham's next campaign (Image: Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images ) David Raya has issued a warning which former Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo would do well to heed ahead of Wrexham's Championship campaign next season. Okonkwo made his name after rising up through the Gunners' academy during his youth career. He made his first senior appearances on loan at Crewe Alexandra in League Two during the 2022/23 season and also spent time in Austria with Sturm Graz. The talented shot-stopper then joined Wrexham on loan from Arsenal in September 2023 and impressed as Phil Parkinson's side secured automatic promotion from the fourth tier. Okonkwo then signed permanently for the North Wales outfit, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney last summer. The 23-year-old was a key part of the team that achieved a third successive promotion from League One in April, recording 19 clean sheets during the 2024/25 campaign. However, current Arsenal No. 1 Raya has now cautioned over the difficulty of playing in the Championship after describing it as being tougher for keepers than even the Premier League. The Spanish international knows those challenges only too well after starring in the second tier with Blackburn Rovers and Brentford. Raya discussed the mental and physical tests while appearing on the Fozcast podcast, hosted by ex-Wrexham and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster. "It's so much different [playing in the Championship] and you get kicked everywhere," he said. "Every throw-in is going into the six-yard box, with eight or nine monsters just going straight into you. Obviously in the Premier League there are more quality players but when it gets to physicality, there's a lot more games [in the Championship] as well. Article continues below Former Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has played a big role in Wrexham's recent success (Image: Ben) "That mental and physical side of playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday for the whole season is so, so tough and it's one of the hardest leagues in the world." Foster, who played for Wrexham over two spells and helped them win the National League title in 2023, backed Raya's frank assessment of playing in the Championship. The former England international said: "I totally agree. I think, as a goalkeeper, playing in the Championship is harder than playing in the Premier League. You need to have more about you. You've got to be physically stronger and physicality comes into it a lot more in the Championship. 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. "If you go further down the leagues into the National League, League Two, even League One, I think there's Premier League goalkeepers right now that would not be able to play in those leagues. Even in the Championship, I think you've got to be more rounded to survive." Okonkwo's experience with Wrexham in the lower divisions of the EFL should stand him in good stead for the next level. He has quickly become a fan favourite at the club and features regularly in the Welcome to Wrexham docuseries. While his surroundings are now very familiar after helping his team win two promotions, Okonwko recently admitted that it wasn't always that way when he first joined Wrexham. 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 Speaking on the Amanpour and Company TV series on PBS, he said: "When my agents told me about the opportunity, I did have to search 'where is Wrexham' and that's me being honest. I knew they were in the EFL and I knew a bit about the club, but I didn't know how well they were doing. "The owners are so well known and when they're calling you, it still feels surreal. It's all been an interesting, and slightly weird, journey. "I always knew that Wrexham was the right move for me [last summer]. The fans wanted me back, the players wanted me back and they couldn't tell me any more."
Leader Live
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Our team of the week is just teeming with trophies!
STEVE EVANS (Llay Welfare Veterans): The ex-Wrexham and Wales defender was on target in 10-2 defeat. THOMAS WILLIAMS (Coedpoeth United U19s): Took his tally to 30 for the season for the North East Wales League champions. LUKE PLANT (Coedpoeth United Celts U15s): Another to score a double. MATTHEW HOLMES (Penyffordd Lions Reserves): Hit a hat-trick in final game of the North East Wales League season. SHAUN HUGHES (Mold Alex Veterans): Scored three in a 10-1 win for the Championship champions. RYAN DUNN (White Bear Veterans): Scored twice and set up a goal in 3-2 win. JACK PARRY (Mold Alex U15s): Scored both goals to win the NEWFA U15s Cup. ALAN DAWSON (Hawarden Rangers Veterans): Scored six for the Premier Division champions. MOLI THOMAS (Corwen Girls U12s): Hit a double in final game of the season. SAM DALBY (Dundee United): The on-loan Wrexham striker hit the winner to seal a fourth place Scottish Premiership finish. THOMAS GAULTON (Borras Park Albion Yellows U15s): Scored the final goal of the season for the Division Three champions. JACK ELLIS (The New Saints U15s): Saved three penalties in 3-1 FAW Academy shoot-out triumph. TOMMY McARDLE (Chirk AAA U17s): The captain set up two goals in a 6-1 victory. KARL BACON (Rhydymwyn Veterans): Scored a double in 3-2 win. ANDY VALE (Brickfield Rangers): The top scorer fired a consolation goal in 4-1 Ardal North Cup defeat. TOP BOSS: OLIVER GLASNER (Crystal Palace): Masterminded his side's 1-0 win at Wembley. CHUMP OF THE WEEK: ERLING HAALAND (Manchester City): Top players don't hand away the chance to score in an FA Cup final.
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.
Wales Online
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wrexham legend picks sides after star's dad called out Ryan Reynolds and Phil Parkinson
Wrexham legend picks sides after star's dad called out Ryan Reynolds and Phil Parkinson Phil Parkinson has been criticised after freezing out some fan favourites at Wrexham, but club legend Mickey Thomas says he has been proven right after achieving another promotion Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson had some tough calls to make this season (Image: AMA/Getty Images ) Wrexham legend Mickey Thomas believes Phil Parkinson has been vindicated by his decision to freshen up his squad during the January transfer window. The Red Dragons boss was criticised by some fans after the arrival of strikers Sam Smith from Reading and Jay Rodriguez from Burnley led to old favourites Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer being frozen out. In early March, Palmer's dad took a swipe at the significant financial outlay on the pair by Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with Smith alone reported to have cost £2million. In a later-deleted post on X, Andy Palmer wrote sarcastically: "They were a good buy," after the new forwards initially struggled to click, calling on Parkinson to "swallow his pride" and play his son. However, ex-Wrexham and Manchester United midfielder Thomas has praised Parkinson for making the difficult call to change his starting XI. It follows the North Wales outfit's promotion to the Championship from League One being confirmed after beating Charlton Athletic 3-0 at the Racececourse last weekend, with Smith grabbing two crucial goals. Thomas said: "Phil Parkinson has had to make some really tough decisions and it wasn't really going down well with the supporters, but that shows how brave he was because it was a tough call. Obviously, it proved right. "He has to choose what is best for the team and you have to go along with that. I've had my differences with managers throughout my career, but there's only one winner and that's the manager." Mullin's fall from grace has been the most stark after firing in more than 100 goals for Wrexham since joining the club in July 2021. The 30-year-old played a key role in Wrexham's promotions from the National League and League Two in the last two seasons, but has only made nine starts in the third tier this term, scoring on just three occasions. Article continues below Wrexham striker Paul Mullin has been frozen out this season (Image: Ben) The Liverpudlian has been left out of the matchday squad completely since the end of January, sparking rumours of a rift with Parkinson. However, Mullin dismissed the suggestion as "nonsense" after taking to social media to address the claims. And Thomas, who earned 51 caps for the Wales national team during his career, has backed him to stay and fight for his place in the team next season. It comes after he had a conversation with Mullin on the pitch during Saturday's promotion celebrations. He said: " I spoke to Paul Mullin and he's not playing at this moment in time, but he's been a big player for Wrexham over the years and his goal return has been exceptional. Wrexham legend Mickey Thomas, pictured with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, spoke to Paul Mullin during the promotion celebrations (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images ) 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 "He was celebrating afterwards with all the players and he understands that sometimes you're not going to be in favour, but I'm sure he'll work this summer to try and get back into that starting XI next season. Only time will tell whether that will happen." Heaping further praise on Parkinson, Thomas added: " He has been magnificent. With all the profile of the club and all the cameras around the ground, he's kept them at a level and that is so important. "Some performances, people said it wasn't good enough, but we were getting results. It's all about winning football games and getting over the line. The most important thing is that we are heading for a very special place now in the Championship."
The Independent
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Ryan Reynolds on ‘history' at Wrexham as Welsh club seals third promotion in a row
Wrexham AFC, co-owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have secured a historic promotion to the Championship, moving them one step closer to their ambitious Premier League dream. The club won promotion from League One with a decisive 3-0 victory over Charlton Athletic at the SToK Racecourse on Saturday, a match witnessed by the celebrity owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds. He shared: "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 PremierLeague.' 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. 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.
