Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney revealed as potential new Wrexham investors
Written by News on 24/09/2020
From the silver screen to the National League? Ryan Reynolds could be about to take on the role of a lifetime…
The Hollywood actor has been revealed as a potential new investor in Wrexham AFC, who currently play in English football’s fifth-tier.
Wrexham are set to hold further talks with Reynolds, star of Deadpool, as well as American actor Rob McElhenney – best known for playing Mac in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – about their plans for the club.
The shock revelation came after a Special General Meeting on Tuesday, with the Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST) – who have run the club since 2011 – confirming both names after 97.5 per cent of the 1,254 members voted in favour of pursuing the talks.
Reynolds and McElhenney are seeking to purchase the club for a “nominal sum”, with the WST also confirming last week – while the actors remained anonymous – that the duo were looking to immediately invest £2m.
A WST statement from September 14 added: “The profile of the Investors is such that there is likely to be a significantly increased profile for the football club and very substantial commercial opportunities going forward.”
‘Rob and Ryan an attractive prospect’
Reynolds also owns stakes in gin and mobile phone businesses so this would not be his first investment.
Wrexham had previously said that, if the proposed takeover was successful, it would likely see a “significantly increased profile” for the club.
Wrexham director Spencer Harris told PA news agency: “It’s still at the stage where we have to finalise the deal and bring it back to the members at a second AGM.
“But I would like to think that Rob and Ryan think Wrexham is an attractive prospect with fantastic potential. People with the professionalism of Rob and Ryan do not come around very often and news of their interest is quite exciting for the supporters I’m sure.
“They are very driven individuals and very successful people in their industry. But from our discussions I can say they are both down to earth and want what is best for the club.”
Harris added that he spoke to the pair on Zoom on Wednesday night after the club’s meeting.
“I’m sure people will consider it a remarkable story,” Harris said. “But I would ask for people to give us time to complete the story.
“Hopefully we can bring another amazing chapter to the history of what is the third oldest professional club in the world and the oldest professional club in Wales.”
Reynolds the football fan?
Canadian Reynolds was the second-highest-paid actor of 2010, behind Jumanji star The Rock, according to Forbes magazine, but his passions clearly extend far beyond the realms of the silver screen.
He is evidently a fan of the sport having attended various football games while promoting Deadpool 2 back in 2018.
The 43-year-old was pictured at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium alongside co-star Josh Brolin.
“At the temple of Real Madrid,” he said on his Facebook page. “The two newest mascots nervously await a beating. (For the record, my heart belongs to the Vancouver Whitecaps).”
Reynolds also attended RB Leipzig’s 6-2 win at Hertha Berlin
What happens next?
Shortly after the news broke of his latest potential investment, Reynolds posted a tongue-in-cheek message on his Twitter account.
From the bright lights of American showbiz to the raining hilltops of North Wales, Reynolds and McElhenney are ready to “put forward their vision” at a Special General Meeting.
The discussions could lead to a deal from either of the potential investors, and this would then be voted on by members of the trust.
If the deal is approved, the trust would relinquish control of running the club.
The fan trust has run Wrexham since 2011, and the club’s website currently states: “We own our football club. This is not a slogan, but an actual fact.”
(c) Sky Sports 2020: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney revealed as potential new Wrexham investors
