Ryan Reynolds and Ron McElhenney complete Wrexham AFC takeover, fans say it's 'the best thing to happen'
Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will be pleased with the way things have panned out after their interest in taking over non-league football team Wrexham AFC. In what comes as a massive win for the two actors, the fans unanimously voted in favor of the sale after they made the pitch to more than 2,000 voters from the Wrexham Supporters' Trust, according to a Daily Mail report. The Welsh team that plays in the fifth tier of the English football league system garnered eyeballs when news broke that Reynolds and McElhenney were in talks to invest in the football club.
The report also added that following the meeting on a Zoom call last week and declared they are now owners of the club. Needing 75% of the vote, the Supporter's Trust said they earned a whopping 98.4% giving them the keys to finalize the takeover. According to Yahoo, Reynolds and McElhenney termed Wrexham as a "sleeping giant" and outlined their plans to make the team a global force. "You may have never heard of Wrexham, the Racecourse Ground or (sponsor) for Williams," Reynolds said then, putting on a Welsh accent, "but you will".
To increase the exposure of a club which is languishing in 14th place in the National League and has been well outside English football's four main pro leagues since 2008, the owners-elect are ready to use the club on a TV series. "That's happened. We're documenting it," McElhenney said. News of their acquisition sparked quite the buzz on Twitter with fans sharing their thoughts. "Perhaps I should start liking football? Very pleased with Wrexham. Made lots of good news yesterday, such a change," read one of the tweets.
Perhaps I should start liking football? Very pleased for Wrexham. Made lots of good news yesterday, such a change.
— Jill Twigge (@JillTwigge) November 17, 2020
Optimism was writ larger as some fans hoped this move would give the team the much-needed support and see them go the distance. "See you at the Emirates in next year's FA Cup. Good luck! " one of the fans wrote. "It’s the best thing to ever happen for the club and town . The stands used to be full. The passion from the fans created such an atmosphere. At five 2 they did several fa cup runs in the 90’s worth looking up mate - as a fellow Celt watch this space," a fan opined.
See you at the Emirates in next years FA Cup. Good luck!😊
— The Ghost of Tom Paine 3.5% (@EnPrimeurLefty) November 17, 2020
It’s the best thing to ever happen for the club and town . The stands used to be full. The passion from the fans created such an atmosphere. At five 2 they did several fa cup runs in the 90’s worth looking up mate - as a fellow Celt watch this space 👌🏼
— Jonny Canning (@canning_jonny) November 17, 2020
The club's supporters' trust said: "As Wrexham supporters, we would like to wish them the very best of luck in charge of our football club and look forward to what the future brings." In 1992, the club made waves for its most famous victory in beating Arsenal - the then-defending English champs - 2-1 in the third round of the FA Cup. They had a dismal run last season finishing in the last place in the Football League. Some were still working on believing the news. "Unbelievable that the little football club that I grew up next to (5 minutes across the backfield) in my small Welsh border town is getting this international attention! Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are set to take over Welsh football club Wrexham AFC," a tweet read.
Unbelievable that the little football club that I grew up next to (5 minutes across the back field) in my small Welsh border town is getting this international attention! Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are set to take over Welsh football club Wrexham AFC https://t.co/C0Ehgh23KR
— Huw Griffiths (@huwgriffiths) November 17, 2020
And now they want Dwayne Johnson to follow suit. "Just watching Ryan Reynolds has bought into Wrexham Football Club - wouldn’t it be nice if someone did that for Castleford Tigers, my vote goes to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson - what a coup that would be," a fan remarked. Some naysayers too. "When Wrexham inevitably lose tonight, see how many sour people from different teams start saying to R&R that they’ve wasted money and its all going to go wrong. I couldn’t give a fuck. NL champions 21/22 ," one of the tweets read.
Just watching Ryan Reynolds has bought into Wrexham Football Club - wouldn’t it be nice if someone did that for Castleford Tigers 🐯 my vote goes to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson - what a coup that would be 🤩
— Judith Shaw (@Judys55Shaw) November 17, 2020
When Wrexham inevitably lose tonight, see how many sour people from different teams start saying to R&R that they’ve wasted money and its all going to go wrong. I couldn’t give a fuck. NL champions 21/22 😂
— Geraint Rogers 🏴 (@GezRogers) November 17, 2020
What are your thoughts on Reynolds and McElhenney taking over the Welsh club?