Latest news with #WelcometoWrexham
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wrexham sent dressing room warning as Ryan Reynolds eyes double deal for Wales stars
Wrexham sent dressing room warning as Ryan Reynolds eyes double deal for Wales stars Wrexham have been busy in the transfer market this summer and manager Phil Parkinson is keen to add more new signings, but the club have been warned it could cause problems Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has been warned over his club's summer spending (Image: Adam Fradgley/West Brom/Getty) Wrexham have been cautioned that recruiting a large number of new players could prove problematic by creating conflict within the squad. The Red Dragons have secured nine new additions so far this summer following their promotion to the Championship in April. Manchester City defender Callum Doyle appears poised to become their tenth signing after a deal potentially worth £8million was struck for the promising youngster. Boss Phil Parkinson remains eager for additional reinforcements after a challenging introduction to the second tier and has substantial funds courtesy of club co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac. Wrexham suffered defeat in their opening match at Southampton, losing 2-1 after a late capitulation, and were also overcome 3-2 at home by West Brom last weekend. Parkinson expressed his appetite for further arrivals after the latest setback and is now reportedly targeting a double transfer move for two Wales internationals. Liverpool forward Lewis Koumas and Rennes midfielder Jordan James have both been touted for potential switches to Wrexham in recent days. However, the former Sunderland and Bolton manager has been advised that bringing in so many fresh faces offers no guarantee of success and could spark unrest amongst the team. The caution came from ex-Wales and Burnley frontman Sam Vokes. Speaking on the BBC's Feast of Football podcast, he said: "Does he want more players, or more headaches? I saw that comment and I don't know where he can fit them into the squad. Article continues below Liverpool and Wales forward Lewis Koumas (right) is one of Wrexham's latest targets (Image:) "They've lost the opening two and I understand there's a bit of frustration there, but there is a real fine balance of having too many and having an unhappy camp." It's been claimed that a substantial fee may be needed to land Koumas' signature. Liverpool are believed to regard him as more advanced in his progression than Bobby Clark, who departed for RB Salzburg in a £10m deal last summer. Meanwhile, L'Équipe reports that Wrexham have made enquiries regarding former Birmingham midfielder James, with a transfer valued at approximately £4.3m on the table. Wrexham's most expensive acquisition during the current transfer window is Ipswich forward Nathan Broadhead. 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 transfer is believed to be worth £7.5m initially, though it could climb to £10m with various clauses. When pressed about Broadhead's fee last week, Parkinson attempted to play down the sum, quipping that Wrexham would need to win both the Premier League and Champions League to reach the £10m figure. Article continues below However, Vokes considers it a hefty price for someone who had entered the final 12 months of his Portman Road contract. "I'm not surprised they've got that much money," he said. "You've only got to see the rise that they've been on. I'm surprised they're willing to spend it, but I hope he proves to be what we hope he is for Wrexham. There's a huge weight on his shoulders with that price tag, he's not had as much football in the last year or so." Iwan Roberts, another ex-Welsh striker, concurred with Vokes, adding: "I think they've paid over the odds for him at £10m. I'm not saying that [it's his fault] at all. Hopefully he can produce the goods and start getting the goals. But I think £10m is a great deal for Ipswich."
New York Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Soccer's Wrexham chooses Long Island for first US youth camp
The kids are getting a kick out of this. Wrexham AFC, the Welsh soccer team made famous by celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, is running its first-ever youth camp in the US — and picked the Long Island soccer hot spot of Massapequa to hold it. 'You can clearly see that they've already had some coaching — and it's great seeing their ability,' said Josh Evans, Wrexham's longtime program officer, of the local talent at Burns Park in Nassau County. 7 Josh Evans, program officer at Wrexham AFC Foundation, giving instructions to young soccer players at a clinic hosted by Wrexham AFC soccer club in Massapequa on Aug. 18, 2025. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post 7 Wrexham chose Massapequa to host the team's first-ever youth camp in Long Island. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post The Massapequa Soccer Club and Long Island Junior Soccer League helped score the world-class team for the special camp, which includes some of Wrexham's top trainers, such as former star Ben Tozer. 'It also shows these players that, 'Hey, that could be me,' said John Fitzgerald, the sporting director for the Long Island Junior Soccer League. Grace Robson, 10, who loves the team's docuseries 'Welcome to Wrexham,' said her dreams have gotten bigger after seeing and learning from her heroes up close in person. 'I was so excited, I couldn't sleep the night before,' she said of the camp. 'And I get to hear their accents and stuff like that — I thought that was kind of funny.' 7 Grace Robson (center) is a fan of the series 'Welcome to Wrexham.' Heather Khalifa for the NY Post 7 John Fitzgerald (left) , the sporting director for the Long Island Junior Soccer League, and Paul Bigilin, Director of Coaching at Massapequa Soccer Club, at the Massapequa soccer clinic. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post Evans is playing along by teaching the kids some Welsh colloquialisms, such as how 'bore da' translates to good morning. 'Oh, they're loving it,' he said, adding that the staff has been recognized by fans all over since their flight touched down in Queens. Pitching in Getting Wrexham stateside was the work of a bit of magic from Paul Bigilin, Massapequa Soccer Club's director, along with Fitzgerald and town soccer icon Jim Kilmeade, the brother of Fox News host Brian. They connected with Terry Barton, CEO of the UK-based soccer development program the Coaching Manual, who had relations with the fellas at Wrexham. 'They know we have a long history of soccer and the local and national stage in Massapequa,' said Bigilin, whose son Nick is a coach with the men's team at Long Island University. Aside from fun and games for the kids, each day brings a different theme of soccer fundamentals. 7 Wrexham AFC is co-owned by American actors Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds. AP 7 Wrexham's Lewis O'Brien celebrating a goal during a game against West Bromwich Albion in Wrexham, Wales on Aug. 16, 2025. Cody Froggatt/PA via AP Fitzgerald, who is the head coach of the Long Island-based American Soccer Club, a k a the Fighting Tomcats, added that he may be assessing his future roster these next few days. 'The majority of our team is local,' he noted of the National Premier Soccer League group. Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Fitzgerald said events such as this, plus excellent coaching, can be pivotal in seeing through a child star's development for future careers on the island — or perhaps on a bigger stage across The Pond some day. 'That's why and how players stay in the game,' he said. 7 The kids were able to get pointers from the Welsh club's top trainers. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post Kilmeade — who played as a kid in Massapequa and later for nearby Hofstra University and is now American SC's general manager Wrexham — said the camp continues to put the area on the soccer map. 'This initiative reflects one of our Fighting Tomcats' core values — making Long Island and the metro New York area a true epicenter for American soccer development and excellence,' he said.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Ryan Reynolds' next £8m signing resists 'dream' transfer as Wrexham see off huge club
Ryan Reynolds' next £8m signing resists 'dream' transfer as Wrexham see off huge club Callum Doyle looks set to join Wrexham in an £8m deal, opting against a 'dream' switch to Rangers despite expressing his lifelong desire to play in Old Firm clashes Manchester City youngster Callum Doyle (left) is widely expected to join Wrexham this summer (Image:.) Wrexham's summer spending shows no sign of stopping as they look set to complete a deal reportedly worth up to £8million. Manchester City youngster Callum Doyle is expected to become the North Wales outfit's tenth summer signing. The 21-year-old defender emerged through City's academy but has made only two senior appearances for the club. Doyle has shone out on loan, though, helping Sunderland to promotion from League One in 2022 and reaching the Championship play-off final with Coventry during the next season. The England Under-21 international later joined Leicester, where he again assisted his team in gaining automatic promotion, this time to the Premier League, and spent last term with Norwich. Doyle revealed earlier this summer that he was ready to move on from City permanently. As per The Athletic, Wrexham now appear close to winning the race to secure his services after fighting off interest from Scottish giants Rangers and Championship rivals Sheffield United. That Doyle should choose the Red Dragons over the Gers is perhaps surprising after he previously revealed his childhood dream of playing against Celtic. Speaking last year, as City prepared to face Brendan Rodgers' side in a pre-season friendly, he said: "[I'm] probably [most looking forward to] Celtic. I've always dreamed since I was a little kid to play against Celtic. Since I was watching the derbies between Celtic and Rangers, I feel like it'll be a good game, a good test and a good battle." Article continues below Wrexham target Callum Doyle previously spent time on loan in the Championship with Leicester City in 2023/24 Doyle starred in the second half of the match in the US, helping him to fulfil a lifelong ambition. And given his fondness for the Old Firm derby, Rangers would have seemed like the perfect fit. However, it's been reported that location is a key factor for the youngster, who lives in Manchester. Wrexham have already broken their transfer record three times so far this summer after securing promotion to the Championship in April. The club has achieved three consecutive promotions under the ownership of Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac. Nathan Broadhead is currently Wrexham's most expensive player after they forked out a fee which could rise up to £10m for the Wales and Ipswich winger last week. 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 signing of left-back Liberato Cacace from Empoli was initially their biggest deal after joining for a sum reported to be almost £2.2m. Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien then surpassed that after being recruited for a figure reported to be anywhere between £3m and £5m. Wrexham have also paid £2m each for defender Conor Coady and Wales striker Kieffer Moore from Leicester and Sheffield United respectively. Bolton midfielder George Thomason was also brought in for £1.2m and Plymouth striker Ryan Hardie made the switch for £700,000, while Josh Windass and Danny Ward came in as free transfers. The addition of Doyle would therefore see their total spending during the current transfer window reach around £30m. Manager Phil Parkinson has made it clear he still wants to introduce a few more new faces to the Racecourse Ground before next month's deadline. 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 "We're looking across the board," he said. "We probably do need a couple more players, we're looking at that. It's ongoing, it's obviously busy for all managers and clubs at the moment when you're preparing for games and looking to improve the squad." Wrexham have lost their first two games in the second tier after being beaten 2-1 away at Southampton in their opening fixture and suffering a 3-2 defeat at home to West Brom at the weekend. Parkinson's side are next due to face troubled Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday as they continue their hunt for their first points of the campaign.
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Ryan Reynolds says he and Rob McElhenney don't make Wrexham ‘football decisions'
Wrexham have had a meteoric rise under their Hollywood owners, becoming the first team in the history of English football's top five divisions to secure three successive promotions. Reynolds and McElhenney were at the SToK Cae Ras on Saturday to watch Wrexham play their first home game in the second tier of English football since May 1982. But there was no Hollywood ending as West Brom won 3-2 to leave the Red Dragons without a Championship point after two games. 'We have a very hands-off management style,' Deadpool star Reynolds told Sky Sports. 'Our job is to listen, learn, and tell the story. And that's I think a great position for any ownership group to be in, to really just be there to support and tell the story. 'We don't make football decisions. And it's actually the great gift of that is that we're able to have relationships with the players at Wrexham, whereas most people in our position can't. 'So we have a relationship with every single one of our players.' The Welsh club's commercial success – fuelled by Reynolds and McElhenney's celebrity status and the award-winning 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary series – has allowed them to invest heavily in Phil Parkinson's squad with nine summer signings. Wrexham have broken their transfer record three times this summer and Wales striker Nathan Broadhead, signed from Ipswich in a deal worth up to £10million, made his debut against West Brom. McElhenney said: 'It's interesting to get accolades when you hear people say, 'Oh, you guys have done a pretty good job with the club. 'The truth is we don't really have anything to do with what happens out on the pitch. 'We've got our very specific job, which is to be clowns and to tell the story as best we can. 'But also to be as respectful as we possibly can to what Phil does on the pitch and what the executive team, Michael (Williamson) and Shaun (Harvey) and Humphrey (Ker) and everybody does off the pitch. 'We just have an incredible team and we just get to sit back and be fans and document the process.'
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Eva Longoria follows ‘Welcome to Wrexham' script as she tries to boost Liga MX's Necaxa
Her name was etched in the memory of millions thanks to her role as Gabrielle Solís in 'Desperate Housewives,' a series that established Eva Longoria as one of the most influential Latina actresses in Hollywood. She went on to become a producer, director, entrepreneur, activist and, in recent years, an investor in the world of sports, where she has earned the nickname 'La Patrona' — or 'The Boss' in English — which easily could be the title of a Mexican soap opera. After more than two decades of credits and awards earned in the entertainment industry, Longoria has shifted her focus. Today, her role as 'La Patrona' of Liga MX team Club Necaxa draws on her family's roots, her passion for storytelling and her commitment to giving Mexico visibility in the world. Her involvement was not limited to serving on Necaxa's board of directors as a celebrity investor. From the beginning, she knew she wanted to tell a story. Inspired by Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds' 'Welcome to Wrexham' docuseries, she decided to produce the the docuseries 'Necaxa,' which premiered on Aug. 7 on FX. Cameras take viewers behind the scenes, follow along on road trips and offer an intimate look at the soccer team. Few could have imagined a Mexican American actress would become the leading front office voice for a historic Mexican soccer club, whose home stadium — Estadio Victoria — is located in the city of Aguascalientes in north-central Mexico. In 2021, Longoria joined a group of investors who acquired 50% ownership of the team. McElhenney, the actor best known for the TV show 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,' and Reynolds, who turned the mercenary Deadpool into one of the most beloved antiheroes in the Marvel universe, later joined the ownership group. While restoring Necaxa to prominence in Liga MX was only a business and creative venture, it also had a deep personal component. Longoria grew up in Texas watching sports with her father, Enrique Longoria Jr. 'My dad can't believe it. He doesn't believe I'm 'La Patrona,'' Longoria told L.A. Times en Español. 'I'll always be his little girl. ... But I love sports because of my dad. My dad always watched the Dallas Cowboys, the Spurs, the Texas Rangers. ... Every sport, I watched with him. I love sports because of the drama, the excitement, the ups and downs.' In 2020, McElhenney and Reynolds acquired Wrexham AFC, a Welsh team that had been stuck in the National League — the fifth division of English soccer — since 2008. The team has steadily climbed the ranks to reach the Championship, just one step away from the top division, the Premier League. Although promotion and relegation is no longer used in Liga MX, Longoria aspires to see Necaxa's 'Rayos' return to prominence in the Mexican soccer playoffs and is therefore seeking to mirror what her colleagues achieved with Wrexham AFC while flying the flag for her Mexican roots. 'This opportunity came from a group of investors who called me and asked if I wanted to be part of this project in the Mexican league. When they explained to me that the league has a huge audience, because there is so much beauty and talent coming out of Mexico, I decided to go for it,' said Longoria, who grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, but now primarily splits her time between homes in Mexico and Spain. 'I invested in the Necaxa team because I saw a great opportunity, not only as a business venture, but also as a great way to showcase Mexico and the most passionate sport in this beautiful country, to put Mexico on the map. 'When I have the opportunity to put Mexico or Mexicans on the map, I will always do so. Whether I'm producing or directing, that's my philosophy in storytelling. That's why I wanted to do this with the docuseries because I knew there was a story there that we had to tell.' Despite her ambition and determination, her first visit to Aguascalientes was fraught with uncertainty. 'I was very anxious and afraid because I am a woman, I am Mexican American,' she said. 'I didn't know if they would welcome me with open arms, but the truth is that they have welcomed me with open arms and I have been impressed by the local support.' Although filming the docuseries is as important as any of her other projects, her work also involves finding the formula to return Necaxa to the prominence it had in the 1990s when it won its only three championships in the first division. Her power as an international star has allowed her enter the locker room, which is considered a sacred space in the world of soccer. After watching her confidently enter spaces around the club, the players dubbed her 'La Patrona.' 'It's a lot to manage a soccer club, behind the scenes, behind the docuseries,' Longoria said. 'We're so lucky to have access to the locker rooms, to go home with them. For me, it's very important to have everything in one series, because I want the world to see it all. It's not just about points and games; you're talking about real lives.' Longoria has also become a bridge between cultures and markets. As co-owner and original investor in Angel City FC in the National Women's Soccer League, she recognizes the differences between soccer in the United States and Mexico. That experience, coupled with her connection to McElhenney and Reynolds, has shaped a broader vision. 'Here in Necaxa, there's a saying: 'If there's no suffering, it's not Necaxa.' I'm explaining this saying to them, because the fans have embraced the idea that you have to suffer to win,' she said. 'Rob and Ryan know a little bit about this, and we wanted to explore that idea in the series.' Diego González, Necaxa's head of media relations, said Longoria's arrival marked a turning point for the club. 'It's something unexpected, something surprising to have something like this with Necaxa and Aguascalientes,' he said of the docuseries. 'It's seeing inside Club Necaxa. Getting to know not only the player, but the people, the city ... lots of emotions, lots of feelings that represent what soccer is and how it's lived in Necaxa.' Opening the doors to the cameras was not easy, according to González, but Longoria's presence made it possible. 'It's something that is highly respected, that intimacy of the locker rooms, the training camps, the trips. The players had to get used to it, but the professionalism of the club and the production team helped. You'll notice it in the series: it feels so natural because that's how it was,' said González, whom the players call 'Sheldon' because of his resemblance to the character Sheldon Cooper from the sitcom 'The Big Bang Theory.' He describes Longoria's relationship with the team as close and genuine. 'When she arrived in Aguascalientes, she showed herself as she is, even nervous, but without wanting to impose anything,' González said. 'That naturalness helped the players feel comfortable. You don't know how to treat a superstar, but she gives you the confidence to approach her and talk about anything.' The influence of Longoria, McElhenney and Reynolds has gone beyond the locker room. They have put Necaxa on the international map. 'The most visible thing is the international showcase they can give you,' González said. 'Necaxa was already known for its soccer merits, but now you have fans of Rob, Ryan, Eva, even Wrexham. A whole range of important possibilities has opened up for us, and that's thanks to them.' This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español.
