It is indeed safe to say that the star has risen for Wrexham AFC since Hollywood icons Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the Welsh soccer club in 2020. In April 2023, the team won their first National League title in 45 years and subsequently got promoted to the EFL League Two after a 15-year absence. Outside finances, Reynolds and McElhenney have also been keen to ensure that their players feel at home in Wrexham. These efforts are reflected in the team’s recent achievements. Now, a Wrexham star has opened up about a warm gesture from owner Ryan Reynolds.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have never ceased to bring in the right players at the right time. Turns out Reynolds is also keen on welcoming them to the Wrexham family. Here is how Reynolds surprised a Wrexham star, shortly after the latter joined the team.
Wrexham star opens up about Ryan Reynolds’ warm gesture
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Last summer, former Premier League player and Luton Town midfielder, Elliot Lee joined Wrexham AFC. The 28-year-old’s exploits on the field became instrumental for the team’s National League win. As has always been the case, Ryan Reynolds was quick to form a close bond with Elliot Lee. Lee recently spilled the beans on a phone call he got from Reynolds shortly after he joined The Red Dragons.
In an interview with BBC Sport, Lee recalled the day he signed for Wrexham AFC. “The surreal at Wrexham becomes the normal,” said Elliot Lee. “The first contact I had was with Ryan[Reynolds]. “I had just signed and was staying in a local hotel. I had an American number pop up on my phone. I don’t answer unknown numbers. I thought I will leave that. It took me three or four seconds but then I thought it’s an American number, could it be?”
The infectious smile of Elliot Lee strikes again 😂 pic.twitter.com/N7ZQWjdnES
— RobRyanRed – Wrexham AFC Podcast (@RobRyanRed) July 14, 2023
Not wasting any time, Elliot answered the unknown American number and found out it was the Deadpool star on the other side. “It was just Ryan introducing himself and welcoming me to the club telling me how much he loves it, how, if he could be at every game, he would be,” Elliot Lee added.
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Elliot Lee on meeting Wrexham’s ‘genuine’ owners
During the interview, Elliot Lee pointed out that he first met Rob McElhenney in person. Lee had to wait a few more months for Ryan Reynolds to get to the side. As Lee reveals, his meeting with the two Hollywood star owners turned out to be as sweeter as Reynolds’ surprise phone call. “They are just as genuine as they come across on the TV,” Lee remarked.
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The midfielder also added that both Reynolds and McElhenney never shy away from going the extra mile to give their players the best treatment. Lee said his teammates also think along the same lines as him. Calling it a day, Lee remarked that owners like those of Wrexham’s, who care so much about players’ well-being are rare in many soccer teams.
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