How ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ gives Red Dragons stars ‘thick skin’ – with role of Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney in making life easier explained by on-loan striker

The arrival of Hollywood co-owners at SToK Racecourse in 2021 has helped to raise the profile of Wrexham Football Club to heights that few could ever have dreamed of scaling. An award-winning documentary series has opened up a window to the world, with the lid being lifted on life on and off the pitch in North Wales.

Dalby, who signed from Southend in the summer of 2022, is among those that have had to grow accustomed to life in front of the camera. The 24-year-old is currently on loan at Scottish side Dundee United, but has said of his documentary experience at Wrexham: "To be honest, you get used to it quite quickly. There are cameras about but the people behind them are great - they’re really nice.

"So if you have that relationship with them, it makes it a lot easier. You get a lot of attention and a lot of negative attention as well. I went there when I was 21, 22 years old and it's very different from clubs I've been at before and sort of playing in front of thousands of fans every week. It's a massive difference, but I feel like that helps me develop mentally as well. Just sort of playing in front of that many fans and just having that attention. Yes, it definitely helped me develop a thick skin."

Dalby is watching Wrexham’s promotion bid in League One from afar, with Reynolds and McElhenney hoping to take a third step up the EFL ladder in as many years. Dalby added on famous co-chairmen and how they make life easier for those in Phil Parkinson’s squad: "They’re quite involved with the club. I'll get that question a lot, ‘Do you actually know him [Reynolds]?’ or does he just put a name on the club but they’re very involved.

"They’re always checking in on you, they text you and stuff like that, which is great. That wasn't something I expected when I first joined, but it makes it a bit more personal. The first day I signed it was like, ‘Hey, it's Ryan!’ That's something that you don't really expect. It's just crazy."

Wrexham remain second in the League One table through 11 rounds of fixtures, with 23 points being collected so far. Dalby is having to find regular game time elsewhere as the Red Dragons boast the likes of Paul Mullin, Steven Fletcher and Ollie Palmer in their striking department – with Jack Marriott another option that has recently been ruled out with a broken leg.