Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds arrive at Maidenhead’s York Road ground
Wrexham’s Hollywood co-owner Ryan Reynolds described football as a “soul-deadening”, “evil” and “gorgeous” game after watching his club in action for the first time at Maidenhead.
Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney completed their takeover of the club in February.
The pair made their much-awaited first appearance at a Wrexham game at Maidenhead United’s York Road.
They watched on as 10-man Wrexham lost 3-2 after fighting back from 2-0.
The actors were accompanied by a crew filming an access-all-areas documentary, Welcome to Wrexham.
Despite the result Deadpool star Reynolds seemed to enjoy his first taste of British football as he shared pictures from the National league game on his Instagram.
He wrote: “Football is a staggering, heartbreaking, gorgeous, tommy-gun of soul-deadening, evil and beauty and I’m never sleeping again ever, ever.”
Up until now Reynolds and McElhenney, both based in the US, had been restricted to watching Wrexham matches on streams due to filming commitments and the pandemic.
But the actors attended a first game that had plenty of drama, with Wrexham falling behind to two goals after 22 minutes before having a player sent off.
Wrexham fought back to level at 2-2 before Maidenhead’s Josh Kelly scored a goal that ensured there would be no fairytale ending on this occasion, with the home side winning 3-2.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson had been told beforehand that the club’s co-owners would be present but neither he nor the players met with the pair ahead of the game.
“They flew in and they were trying to keep a low profile but I imagine it’s fairly difficult to be low profile and they let us get on with it,” Parkinson said.
“We look forward to meeting them later in the week.
“I’m really disappointed for them that we haven’t been able to come away with at least a draw. But that’s football. It can be a brutal industry.”
Wrexham fan Andy Gilpin said he was “gobsmacked” to see the Hollywood owners in the stands and that their appearance had given the fans “a boost”.
“There’s media hype and then there’s showing up at Maidenhead away which isn’t the sort of Hollywood entrance really, it’s a very low-key ground, and to see two Hollywood stars there in the middle of the home stand, we were just gobsmacked, you know,” he said.
“It’s quite a statement to come here to Maidenhead away and fair play to them for doing that.”
Free Guy star Reynolds and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator McElhenney revealed their interest in buying the north Wales club, the third oldest professional club in the world, in September 2020.
Wrexham Supporters’ Trust members voted overwhelmingly to back the takeover two months later after the pair made an online presentation to fans.
The club had been under fan ownership since 2011 following a difficult decade which saw them enter administration and lose their place in the Football League in 2008.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has said Reynolds and McElhenney recognise the “huge potential” of the club.
Reynolds and McElhenney invested an immediate £2m in Wrexham after completing their takeover, with their ambition reflected by a number of notable signings – plus the appointment of Parkinson – over the last few months.
Reynolds stated in November 2020 that the aim was to turn Wrexham into a “global force”.
However, Wrexham have had a mixed start to the 2021-22 season and are 11th in the National League following the defeat at Maidenhead.
Wrexham face Torquay United at the Racecourse Stadium on Saturday, 30 October.
Source by www.bbc.co.uk
