Ryan Reynolds transformed Wrexham from obscurity to global fame. But now, he faces an unexpected rival in celebrity football ownership. The former Westlife singer Brian McFadden. In a cheeky yet confident remark, McFadden has urged Reynolds to “watch out” as he and his fellow musicians, Shane Lynch from Boyzone and Keith Duffy set out to transform Chorley FC, a National League North team six tiers below the Premier League, into a force to be reckoned with.

While Wrexham’s success story captured hearts worldwide, McFadden and his partners believe Chorley could achieve similar glory. McFadden, alongside Lynch and Duffy, acquired a stake in Chorley last year, aiming to breathe new life into the historic club. Founded in 1883, Chorley FC has a legacy in English football. Since the three have taken a stake, much has changed with the club already.

Some major alterations include a £250,000 investment in the new pitch, updating its safety measures for the terraces that are aging, and a new hospitality suite at Victory Park. It is exactly what Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney did in Wrexham, pouring in not just financial resources but also passion and ambition to breathe back life into a club and the community surrounding it.

Inspiration from Wrexham’s rising certainly didn’t make McFadden shy from describing his ambitions. He said, “We have aspirations, just like Wrexham and Ryan Reynolds.” In a particularly bold statement, McFadden humorously added, “I wake up some nights thinking, We’re going to win the Premier League in the next 30 years”, jokingly adding, “Gary Neville and Ryan ­Reynolds may need to watch out!”. It genuinely makes good sense for him to go for it since stars like Salford City and Wrexham have set the pace on how high a celebrity-owned project can reach. 

Ryan Reynolds’ remarkable impact on Wrexham

Wrexham’s journey has inspired fans and fellow celebrities alike. In 2021, Reynolds and McElhenney purchased Wrexham AFC for about £2 million. Since then, the club has made significant progress. Their enthusiasm and commitment to community building have inspired other celebrities to show interest in lower-league English clubs. Through smart investments and a focus on local culture, the duo led Wrexham to consecutive promotions. They also strengthened the club’s infrastructure by forming new partnerships, including one with the Allyn family from New York.

McFadden and his Chorley co-owners have attracted attention with Wrexham’s success. The journey has already inspired interest in Snoop Dogg, who has recently expressed his desire to invest in Scottish Premiership club Celtic, citing the journey of Wrexham as his influence. Even the A$AP Rocky rapper, who is linked to global superstar Rihanna, seems interested in buying Tranmere Rovers in League Two.

This constellation of celebrity projects is ushering into lower-league clubs a new wave of global attention and resources that too often find themselves eclipsed by the giants of English football. McFadden and his team have a lot of work ahead of them with Chorley, who are six tiers below the Premier League. Unlike the big clubs in the Premier League, smaller clubs like Chorley operate on a basic level and need a lot of resources for their growth and sustainability – investing in the team as well as the surrounding area.