When Hollywood’s wisecracking Deadpool trades his katana for a co-owner’s seat, you know the story is going to be anything but ordinary. Ryan Reynolds, the Canadian actor behind blockbuster hits and a seemingly endless supply of quick-witted one-liners, owns Wrexham Association Football Club (AFC) alongside his friend and fellow actor Rob McElhenney. Since their headline-grabbing takeover in February 2021, the duo has transformed a sleepy Welsh town’s beloved football club into a global phenomenon. But this isn’t just a celebrity vanity project — it’s a real-life underdog saga that has captured hearts worldwide and even earned its own Emmy-winning documentary series, Welcome to Wrexham.
Why would a movie star best known for R-rated superhero comedies buy a fifth-tier Welsh football club? The answer is as refreshing as it is unexpected. Reynolds and McElhenney didn’t just purchase Wrexham for publicity — they genuinely fell in love with the club’s 158-year history, its fiercely loyal local fanbase, and the challenge of writing one of sport’s greatest comeback stories. Founded in 1864, Wrexham is the world’s third-oldest professional football club, and the oldest in Wales. The team plays at the Racecourse Ground, a stadium dripping in history. Yet when Reynolds arrived on the scene, the club was languishing in the National League, English football’s fifth tier, dreaming of a return to the English Football League (EFL). With deep pockets and even deeper passion, the actors set out to make that dream a reality, investing millions in player acquisitions, stadium improvements, and community initiatives. It was a bold gamble that quickly turned into the feel-good sports narrative of the decade.
The results have been nothing short of spectacular. In April 2023, Wrexham clinched the National League title on a dramatic final day, securing automatic promotion to League Two — their first EFL appearance in 15 years. The scenes of joy from players and supporters were pure cinematic gold, but Reynolds was quick to remind everyone that the true victory belonged to the community. The club has since pushed higher, earning back-to-back promotions and establishing itself in League One, each step up accompanied by sold-out crowds and a passionate international following. Suddenly, jerseys with the red Welsh dragon are selling out in New York, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. Tourists flock to the North Wales town to see where the magic happens, and the local economy has seen a massive boost from what fans cheekily call the "Hollywood effect."
However, Reynolds isn't content with simply hoisting trophies. From day one, he and McElhenney bought into Wrexham's soul. They have funded a dedicated women's team, invested in disability sport programs, renovated the stadium's iconic kop end, and championed mental health initiatives. When the club faced financial hardships off the pitch, the actors opened their checkbooks without hesitation. They gave supporters a stake in ownership through a supporters' trust and even flew players to the United States for
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