RYAN REYNOLDS and Rob McElhenney might just be the most popular football club owners in Britain.
Since buying Wrexham in 2020, the Hollywood duo have transformed their fortunes from top to bottom.
The Welsh side came 19th in the National League during the Covid-shortened 2019-20 season – a desperately disappointing position for a club with such a rich history.
Following Reynolds’ and McElhenney’s arrivals, however, things are looking up.
They have expensively assembled a brilliant playing squad that are battling with Notts County in arguably the most thrilling, high-profile National League title race EVER.
But it’s not just on the pitch that they’ve revolutionised things, with their off-pitch deeds probably more impressive than what’s happened on it.
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Here, SunSport takes a look at some of the good work done by Reynolds and McElhenney at Wrexham.
DISABLED FAN DONATION
Reynolds and McElhenney haven’t been shy in supporting the needs of their fans.
Wrexham supporter Aiden Stott, who has cerebral palsy, set up a campaign to try and raise £6,000 towards buying a new bath and mechanical hoist.
Fresh from having just bought the club, McElhenney immediately signalled the sort of ownership Wrexham were going to have moving forward by donating the amount in full.
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After receiving the life-changing donation, Aiden said: “I am absolutely amazed, I just can’t believe it.
“I thought that friends would share it and support me, but I never thought that someone famous would donate. It’s brilliant and I’m just in shock.”
SUPPORTING THEIR PLAYERS
Rob and Ryan have been there for their players through thick and thin.
In December 2021, midfielder Jordan Davies went through the most difficult of tragedies, when he and his partner Kelsey lost baby boy Arthur to a stillbirth.
After receiving support following their tragic loss, Jordan and Kelsey sought to raise money for stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands UK by setting up a funding page.
Rob and Ryan, together with partners Kaitlin Olson and Blake Lively, donated £10,000 towards the cause.
They also offered their sincerest condolences as well as any support the family may need, with Rob tweeting: “Kelsey and Jordan, @KaitlinOlson and I are so sorry for your loss. If you need absolutely anything please let us know.”
HELPING LOCAL YOUTH TEAM
When mother Kayleigh Burton set up a GoFundMe page to help kit out her son’s futsal team, she couldn’t have imagined that two A-listers would get involved.
But that’s exactly what happened when Rob and Ryan saw her page.
Kayleigh and her boy Keegen had been through a difficult year, after the death of his father Adam.
Seeing the story, Reynolds donated £1,600 to kit out FC United of Wrexham.
Upon receiving the donation, Kayleigh said: “I’m lost for words, and over the moon. Thank you Ryan for putting a smile on the team’s face, if thank you is even enough.
“Keegen is Wrexham’s number one fan. His dad would be made up for him and bursting with pride.”
BUYING DRINKS
To celebrate one year as owners, Rob and Ryan found a novel way to mark each and every one of their 365 days at the helm.
The duo paid for 365 G&Ts at The Turf Hotel, situated near Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground stadium.
Explaining their gesture, they wrote: “Just a quick note to thank each and every one of you on our 1-year anniversary with the club.
“The love and adoration for Wrexham FC – it’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen. That’s why we’ve put up 365 Aviation Gin and Tonics behind the bar. Have one on us.”
Rob and Ryan have even been known to join fans for a pint at Wrexham pubs during their visits to Wales.
INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE
Keen to invest in infrastructure as well as the playing squad, Rob and Ryan announced plans to develop the Racecourse Ground’s Kop stand.
When finished, the state of the art new stand will house 5,500 fans, while also boasting impressive hospitality and office facilities.
In a joint statement, the co-chairmen wrote at the time: “Back in February 2021, when we first became custodians of the Club, it was identified that reverting the Racecourse Ground to a four-sided stadium was a priority for us.
“The desire to achieve this objective has only been multiplied by the fact that the sold-out signs were a regular feature at the Racecourse Ground, and we want the Club to be accessible to everyone, so the increased capacity is key to achieving this.”
WOMEN’S TEAM INVESTMENT
Rob and Ryan aren’t just focused on Wrexham’s men’s team.
The duo are also intent on making their women’s team the best in Wales.
They pledged to make the team fully semi-professional, should they win promotion this season.
And they have done just that, by winning the Genero Adran North title with a win last weekend.
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McElhenney tweeted: “ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. CONGRATULATIONS @WrexhamAFCWomen!!!!!!”
Rob and Ryan had previously pledged: “The commitment of the club’s owners in their mission statement was clear, in that their ambition was to grow all areas of Wrexham AFC, not just the first team and this is an important step towards achieving this.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
