Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has reaffirmed his long-term commitment to Wrexham AFC, saying he’s looking forward to “many more” years with the Welsh football club after their stunning promotion to the Championship.
The Canadian actor, best known for his role as Deadpool, and his American business partner and fellow actor Rob McElhenney, purchased Wrexham AFC for £2 million back in February 2021. In just over three years, the duo have helped transform the club from a National League side into a rising powerhouse in the English Football League, now bound for the Championship—the second tier of English football.
The club’s remarkable journey has been captured in the award-winning FX documentary series Welcome to Wrexham, which has already racked up eight Emmys and is set to return for a fourth season next month.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Reynolds wrote: “This club is the sum of its supporters. Before we showed up, they’d saved it multiple times. It’s a temple as much as a football pitch. @Wrexham_AFC has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.”
Wrexham’s historic 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic at the weekend secured their latest promotion, making them the first team in English professional football to achieve three successive promotions—an extraordinary feat by any measure.
Accompanying his post was a heartwarming video of Reynolds at a recent Ed Sheeran concert. In the clip, Sheeran—who is a minority owner and sponsor of Ipswich Town—predicts that Wrexham will go up and jokes that they’ll meet in the Championship next season. Reynolds, smiling and with fingers crossed, seemed to relish the moment.
While Ipswich themselves were relegated from the Premier League at the weekend, Sheeran’s words struck a hopeful chord. The video also featured a nostalgic soundtrack: Green Day’s Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) played over clips highlighting Wrexham’s meteoric rise.
Reynolds added, “It’s hard to avoid immediately starting work on next season – but important to take the moment in. Looking back and looking forward feels really good right now.”
He continued, “I think I speak for @RMcElhenney when I say, thank you for the greatest four years and here’s to many more.”
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The pair’s stewardship has not only transformed the club’s footballing fortunes but has also brought global attention to Wrexham and Wales at large. Their efforts were formally recognised in 2022 when they received the prestigious Dragon Award, presented by the Welsh Government, the Football Association of Wales and S4C, in honour of their contribution to promoting Wales and the Welsh language.
Wrexham has also seen a fair share of glamour beyond the pitch. The club has welcomed visits from royalty, including the Prince of Wales and Their Majesties The King and Queen. Hollywood figures have not been far behind either—with Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman, a known Norwich City fan, making a stop at the Racecourse Ground.
McElhenney and Reynolds’ genuine enthusiasm and consistent presence at matches and in the community have won over locals and lifelong fans alike. Far from being absentee owners, their passion has helped reignite the club’s fortunes while also breathing new life into the town’s identity.
With the Championship now on the horizon, Wrexham AFC’s story remains one of the most captivating tales in modern football—and according to Reynolds, this is only the beginning.
