For any fan, meeting their favorite player is a dream come true. But for 12-year-old Archie White who is battling a rare and life-threatening illness, this moment became even more unforgettable. Archie, a huge Wrexham fan, is fighting against a condition so rare it affects fewer than one in a million children. Wrexham striker Paul Mullin took his time off to visit and surprise Archie with unforgettable moments.

“Sometimes, a surprise is all it takes to ignite the spark of hope in someone’s heart,” and that’s exactly what happened to Archie. The 12-year-old is currently undergoing treatment at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool, but little did he know, a surprise was about to change his day. Imagine the look on Archie’s face when he realized it was really him! What would you feel if you were in Archie’s shoes?

Alder Hey posted on social media, on December 21, about this unforgettable moment. A heartwarming surprise unfolded at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool when Wrexham striker Paul Mullin arranged a special phone call for young Archie, a huge Wrexham fan undergoing treatment at the hospital. It was a conversation full of laughter, soccer passion, and a touch of Hollywood magic. Archie, who had been playing pool with Paul, couldn’t believe his luck when the call came through, it was Ryan Reynolds, co-owner of Wrexham AFC and star of Deadpool x Wolverine. 

Archie, a huge fan of both the club and Ryan’s movies, was already on cloud nine after meeting his favorite footballer, Paul. During the call, Archie shared with Ryan that Deadpool X Wolverine was his favorite movie, and Ryan was all ears, asking how Archie was doing. To top it off, Ryan promised that the next time Archie attends a Wrexham game, he’d sit with him. Can you imagine the excitement of getting that kind of promise from a Hollywood star?

Wrexham AFC’s incredible rise in the past three years, with back-to-back promotions and now eyeing a spot in the Championship, has been nothing short of inspiring. The club’s journey has touched many hearts, including young Archie’s. Currently sitting third in EFL League One, Wrexham’s success is a reminder to young kids like Archie to fight hard and never give up. But Archie’s recent brush with fame didn’t stop with the Wrexham surprise.

Just a week earlier, he was in for another emotional surprise when Liverpool’s captain and his teammates visited him.

Emotional surprise for Archie White from Liverpool players

One week back the situation was similar, where It was a day full of smiles and surprises when Liverpool’s stars Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Virgil van Dijk, and Mo Salah visited Archie at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for a Christmas meet and greet. The highlight? Spending time with Liverpool’s captain, van Dijk, who even chatted with Archie’s friends on Snapchat.

But what surprised Archie the most was when van Dijk revealed he was a fan of ‘Welcome to Wrexham‘, the documentary about Archie’s beloved club. Archie’s mum Sarah expressed her gratitude, sharing how special the visit was for Archie. “I can’t thank Alder Hey enough for going out their way to make it special for Archie – he had great banter with them and proudly told them who he supported.” Even players like Ollie Palmer from Wrexham AFC have paid their visit and given the 12-year-old some memorable achievements.

The visits from these players will keep inspiring kids like Archie to tackle their challenges head-on, showing that soccer is more than just a sport, it’s a way of spreading love and strength.