“Not Have to F**king Worry” – Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham Turn Good Samaritans for Rivals Southend United on the Brink of Collapse

If there’s a definition for success, then it has to be Wrexham. The Welsh club has endured an excellent season so far and is currently fighting its way to promotion.

The club has witnessed a massive turnaround after Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny took control of the club in 2021. The duo has since then achieved wonders and taken them to a whole new level.

While Wrexham is enjoying success under their good owners, their league rivals, Southend United, are going through many hardships. The club is under the ownership of a 70-year-old businessman, Ron Martin.

League rivals on a brink of collapse

Under Martin, the 117-year-old club is witnessing a decline as the club never went down the EFL in over a century. The club was on the verge of collapse as they owed £1.4 million in debt to HM Revenue and Customs, a non-ministerial UK governmental department, responsible for collection of revenue. Moreover, the Southend West MP described it as the club’s “D-Day.”

However, on February 28, the club confirmed that they had paid the debt after securing a £5 million bridge loan for the same. This may give a sense of relief to fans, but only if they could truly believe it wouldn’t happen again.

“There is a very real possibility that if we don’t start building [a new stadium] in June that we’ll be in this same situation over the summer and we’ll have to do it all again,” said Liam Ager, co-editor of the All At Sea fanzine.

Despite constant planning and approvals, Martin has failed to deliver the club a new modern stadium in over 25 years. The £500 million-worth owners are not able to start the construction of the new stadium until they sell the old one.

Southend’s turmoil was evident from the start of the season. The players received their salaries very late; in fact, the fans had to set up a GoFundMe page for staff members who didn’t get paid. Moreover, their youth players are on strike.

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“The chairman is deliberately not investing in the current facilities,” said Ager. “Every week we all go back to Roots Hall and see another part of the ceiling has fallen, or another bit of paint has chipped away since last time or someone has put their foot through the steps going towards the back of the stand.” 

Wrexham fans show an incredible gesture

The club’s poor management hasn’t stopped the fans from attending the game in huge numbers. In fact, their rival fans have also come out in support of the club. According to Rob Craven of the Shrimpers Trust Fans Group, about a third of the £21,135 in GoFundMe funding came from Wrexham fans.

Moreover, some of the fans are the club’s new US-based audience. “Southend United supporters were touched by the contributions of fans from many clubs, but it was Wrexham supporters who went above and beyond expectations and who significantly raised the profile of our campaign,” he said.

“The Wrexham fans have been brilliant because they’ve really put their money where their mouth is,” said Ager. “What you’d love is to not have to f**king worry about any of this and just go to matches on a Saturday afternoon,” he added.

Moreover, as a gesture before the game, a framed picture and plaque will be presented by the Shrimpers Trust to the Wrexham Supporters Trust.

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It’s indeed a heartwarming gesture from Wrexham fans who are quietly following their owner’s footsteps. Soccer is indeed a beautiful game.