Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney officially complete Wrexham takeover

Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney officially complete Wrexham takeover after making £2m investment in National League side to take 100 per cent control from club’s supporters trust

  • Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have made a £2m investment in Wrexham 
  • They take 100 per cent control of the club from the Wrexham Supporters Trust 
  • The duo said funds will be available immediately for the National League side 
  • Money will also be used to enhance the club’s women’s football programme 

Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have officially completed their takeover of Wrexham.

The pair have taken 100 per cent control of the National League club from the Wrexham Supporters Trust.

Reynolds and Elhenney have made a £2million investment in the club under the terms of the deal.


Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds (left) and Rob McElhenney have officially completed their takeover of Wrexham

‘It is a special day for the two of us to become the latest stewards in the long and storied history of Wrexham AFC. Together with the players, the staff, the fans, and the local community, we can now pursue our goal to grow the team and return it to the EFL in front of increased attendances, and in an improved stadium, while making a positive difference to the wider community in Wrexham.

‘Wrexham AFC is only in a position to thrive because of the incredible efforts of the Wrexham Supporters Trust. Their members are a fitting reflection of the integrity and spirit of the town and they will always have an important role at the club.

‘Since the Wrexham Supporters Trust put their faith in us, at the members vote in November, we’ve been getting to know people in Wrexham to understand how we can help move the club forward through our four guiding principles:

‘The work has already begun with Gemma Owen and Steve Dale in the community team on a new women’s football initiative. We are also committed to investing in current and identifying future members of the first-team squad as we build towards a promotion-challenge.

‘In addition, we are in the process of developing an outstanding team off-the-field by combining the know-how of the committed club staff and volunteers with new hires and experienced advisors. Our CEO search is progressing, and we expect to have someone in place before the end of the season.

‘All of these people will help us create the kind of commercial opportunities that the third-oldest club in the world deserves, and we will reinvest that revenue back into Wrexham AFC and the community.

‘2020 was a difficult year and there are likely to be further public health challenges in the months ahead, but we hope to be cheering the team on from the stands as soon as it’s safe to do so in 2021.’

In a statement issued by the WST, the new owners say funds will be made available immediately and ‘first-team player identification will be a priority’. Further money will be spent to enhance the women’s football programme, community initiatives and the Racecourse Ground.

A statement from Reynolds and McElhenney read: ‘It is a special day for the two of us to become the latest stewards in the long and storied history of Wrexham AFC.

‘Together with the players, the staff, the fans and the local community, we can now pursue our goal to grow the team and return it to the EFL in front of increased attendances, and in an improved stadium, while making a positive difference to the wider community in Wrexham.

‘Wrexham AFC is only in a position to thrive because of the incredible efforts of the Wrexham Supporters Trust. Their members are a fitting reflection of the integrity and spirit of the town and they will always have an important role at the club.’

Reynolds and Elhenney have made a £2million investment in the club under the deal’s terms

Wrexham have been fan-owned since the WST took charge of the club in 2011.

The trust had not been seeking to sell when approached through an intermediary about a potential sale, but its members voted overwhelming in favour when details of the interest of Reynolds and McElhenney was confirmed.

The WST expressed regret it had not achieved its ‘ultimate aim’ of returning the club to the EFL under its guidance but was proud of its record in charge.

A statement read: ‘The Wrexham Supporters Trust Board is pleased to announce the completion of the sale of Wrexham AFC to RR McReynolds LLC.

‘Wrexham Supporters Trust now enters a new chapter, with thought required on the direction we take.

‘We urge all supporters to unite behind our new owners, the club and the team as they look to return Wrexham to the heights we have all dreamed of.

‘Reflecting on the last nine years, the board is proud of aspects of what the Wrexham Supporters Trust has been able to achieve since taking control of the club in November 2011.

‘We are proud to have improved the financial position of the club, with members’ contributions crucial to that. Our average attendance has grown to 5,100, and we are thrilled to have secured the long-term protection of our iconic Racecourse Ground.’

Reflecting the completion of the deal, Deadpool star Reynolds changed his name on Twitter to Wryan and McElhenney renamed himself as Wrob. The pair had previously announced the approval of their bid by making a spoof advert for club sponsors Ifor Williams Trailers.

Wrexham have been fan-owned since the WST took charge of the club in 2011

McElhenney tweeted: ‘The @Wrexham-AFC handover is complete! We’re toasting with a limited-edition bottle of @AviationGin and I am rebranding as Wrob. Both of which I am apparently legally obligated to do as I’ve been informed Ryan now owns my life rights. My lawyer is currently looking into it.’

Wrexham tweeted the new owners’ ‘mission statement’, which read: ‘Invest in a permanent training facility.

‘Explore the renovation of the Racecourse Ground. Always beat Chester.’

The announcement came shortly after Wrexham won 2-1 at Altrincham in the National League.

FULL WST STATEMENT

‘The Wrexham Supporters Trust Board is pleased to announce the completion of the sale of Wrexham AFC to RR McReynolds LLC.

‘We would like to thank all our members for their participation in the voting process and patience regarding the deal. Also, to our advisors on the deal, namely BDO, Kevin Jacquiss, Mackenzie Jones, Rob Parry and Sheridans.

‘The Wrexham Supporters Trust Board would also like to thank both Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds and their advisors, Inner Circle Sports and Walker Morris, for the time they have put into this process.

‘We would like to place on record our gratitude for their professional approach at all times, and for their engagement with Wrexham Supporters Trust, Wrexham supporters and the broader local community.

‘Wrexham Supporters Trust now enters a new chapter, with thought required on the direction we take. We urge all supporters to unite behind our new owners, the Club and the team as they look to return Wrexham to the heights we have all dreamed of.

‘Reflecting on the last nine years, the Board is proud of aspects of what the Wrexham Supporters Trust has been able to achieve since taking control of the Club in November 2011.

‘We are proud to have improved the financial position of the Club, with members’ contributions crucial to that. In particular the ‘Build the Budget’ and ”UTST” campaigns, which together raised over £180,000.

‘We extend this gratitude to the numerous sponsors and Supporters Groups who have provided valuable financial support throughout our time in charge. Especially all those who sold tickets for our Christmas raffle, which helped generate an annual profit of around £10,000.

‘Our average attendance has grown to 5,100, and we are thrilled to have secured the long-term protection of our iconic Racecourse Ground, as well as making significant progress towards the development of a new Kop.

‘We are also pleased with our community status and engagement, including becoming the first autism-friendly Club in Wales and recently winning a Football v Homophobia award for our LGBTQ+ inclusion.

‘Despite these successes, we are disappointed at failing to deliver in our ultimate aim- to return the Club to the Football League.

‘There have been significant challenges during the Wrexham Supporters Trust’s ownership of Wrexham AFC, and we have always strived to do everything possible to support the Club we are all so passionate about.

‘We would like to say an enormous thank you to all those involved during the last nine years. The players and staff – past and present – including those who work long hours behind the scenes. Our volunteers, who give up so much of their time for the Club they love.

‘Finally, thank you to our supporters, to whom we are grateful to each and every one of. On countless occasions you have gone above and beyond for our Club, and without you it would simply not be in the position it finds itself in today.

‘We wish Rob, Ryan and everyone else involved in Wrexham AFC the very best of luck going forward and are excited for the future of both the Club and the town.’




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