Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney on verge of completing Wrexham AFC takeover after fan vote
The Hollywood actors will take ownership of Wrexham AFC, one of the oldest football clubs in the world
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Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are on the verge of completing a takeover of Wrexham AFC after members of the club’s supporters trust voted overwhelmingly in favour of the move.
Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST) gave 98.6% backing to the bid, with 1,809 members voting for the takeover, 26 against and nine abstentions. The WST wished Reynolds and McElhenney “the very best of luck”.
Wrexham are one of the oldest clubs in the world, having formed in 1864. They currently play in the National League, English football’s fifth tier, but the Hollywood duo told supporters they want to turn the club into a “global force”, and hope to get to north Wales to watch some matches when time allows.
In typically jovial fashion, Reynolds and McElhenney posted a joint video message on social media saying: “Not sure what to get your special someone this holiday? Tired of them opening the same old scarf or sweater? Then try Ifor Williams Trailers. Ifor Williams Trailers has been Britain’s leading trailer manufacturer for over 60 years. Nothing says, ‘I’m thinking about you and your horse’ more than an Ifor Williams Trailer. If you’re looking to really wow them this year. And you own live stock.
• Read more: Ryan Reynolds promises to have a pint with Wrexham fans
“Why are Rob and I pitching a trailer manufacturer? Well, because we just became owners of Wrexham Association Football Club. And they’re our team sponsor. You may have have never heard of Wrexham or the Race Course Ground, or Ifor Williams, but you will. So to Wrexham Supporters Trust, thank you for your faith and trust in us.
“We’re humbled and already getting to work. Oh s**t, this is really happening!”
The proposed takeover could lead to £2m being invested in the club, which has been in fan ownership since 2011, and a Netflix-style documentary at the Racecourse Ground.
Reynolds and McElhenney presented their vision to trust members on 8 November at a virtual meeting and told them they wanted to attend as many games as possible and "have a pint with the fans".
The WST statement added: "Wrexham Supporters Trust Board would like to thank Mr Rob McElhenney and Mr Ryan Reynolds, and their advisors Inner Circle Sports and Walker Morris, for their professional and considered approach and for the time they have already put into the process. 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."
The Canadian actor Reynolds, 44, is the star of the Deadpool series while the American McElhenney, 43, is most famous for his part creating the comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Both men have business interests beyond the movie industry, and Reynolds notably bought a significant stake in Aviation American Gin in 2018 before the business was sold this year for $610m (£463m).
They have given little explanation for why they would want to buy a Non-League football club in north Wales under their RR McReynolds Company, simply responding: “Why not?”
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