Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney dream of Wrexham becoming a global force after confirming their takeover plans at a supporters’ trust meeting on Sunday where it was revealed the football club could star in a Netflix-style documentary.
The duo moved a step closer to owning the National League team after leaving a positive impression during the lengthy virtual meeting where they put on a presentation before answering questions for a further half an hour.
Deadpool’s Reynolds and McElhenney, known for his role in It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, set out principles for their takeover centred around protecting the heritage of the Welsh club, reinforcing the values woven in the town itself and making Wrexham champions again.
Both actors are understood to be prepared to use their own money, marketing and fame to help the side return to the glory days of the 1977-78 campaign where they made it to the FA Cup quarter-finals and clinched the Third Division title.
Canadian Reynolds told the WST meeting: “We want to be at the Racecourse Ground as much as possible – as many games as I can make.
“We want to have a pint with the fans. You’ll be fed up of us! We want to be great ambassadors for the club, to introduce the club to the world and be a global force.”
McElhenney said: “The Racecourse hasn’t been full for a while. I have a vision of the Racecourse being full again.
“I’ve seen how packed it used to be in 77 – I’ve been watching a lot of films about that and I want it to feel like that again.
“We want to pack that stadium again. Ryan is much more responsible in his business life, but I get so excited by possibilities and what it could be. I want people to be so excited to watch the rise of the club and the Racecourse.”
The meeting took place after trust members voted 95% in favour of holding talks with the pair.
Wrexham, who have been fan-owned since 2011, will now ask members to vote on whether Reynolds and McElhenney can complete their takeover.
Voting will start on Monday and run until Sunday November 15, with a vote of 75% in favour needed for the resolution to be approved.
EXTRAORDINARY BALLOT | Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds Mission Statement.
We've been asked to share this mission statement, which can be found here 👉 https://t.co/YPDRtZ62qJ
🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/jFj7pAFnLy
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) November 8, 2020
If it does get the green light, the non-league club will star in a documentary to chart their rise under the actors.
McElhenney said: “That’s happened. We’re documenting it. We should be thinking about Wrexham the way Manchester United thinks about Manchester United. Engage in the club and community.”
Reynolds added: “We’re excited to have some documentation, but no-one has to speak if they don’t want to.”
American McElhenney, the bigger dreamer of the two, also stressed how important the community and supporters remain in their plans to guide Wrexham back into the Football League for the first time in 12 years.
Yep, you never know. https://t.co/PuIghab8Mg
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) September 23, 2020
“The community must be more included,” he said. “We must build a supporters’ board and there will be full transparency.
“We’re not doing it to make money; we have successful day jobs. We feel we can grow something and we can only do that by knowing we have the support of the community.”
After six games this season, Wrexham are 14th in the table.
Reynolds and McElhenney both joked they hoped the club would never have to face rivals Chester again.