'Brutal reality of football' - Rob McElhenney & Ryan Reynolds open up on 'very emotional' Wrexham decision after Phil Parkinson axes striker from squad

After yet another memorable campaign at SToK Cae Ras that saw Wrexham secure a third consecutive promotion to the Championship, veteran Scottish striker Fletcher bid an emotional goodbye to the club. The player claimed that he was axed from the Red Dragons squad against his wishes. Fletcher was accompanied by Mark Howard as the veteran goalkeeper is also on his way out of the club.

Speaking on the RobRyanRed podcast, the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star said: "Even just bringing up his [Steven Fletcher] name is difficult because the brutal reality of football it just reminds me of how quickly you can go from spending all day with him here in Los Angeles promoting the show and playing golf. To putting him on a plane, sending him home and within 24 hours, Phil released him from the club and that was difficult."

Adding to the Wrexham co-owner's words, Reynolds said: "You know why I will miss Fletch and why I found that very emotional. There are two factors to the story. One is that Rob and I made a very wise decision and I can say that with confidence that we do not make football decisions ever. Which actually allows us to have a relationship with the players that most owners don't enjoy. And that relationship with the players creates emotional investment for us and them, and it makes us all feel like we're part of something, and we are at that dressing room with them all the time. Rob does better pep talks than I do. I do sort of like gentle haikus, poetry readings.

"But Fletch really reminded a lot of other players that this is fun. And that's the thing that I feel like was a real differentiator in the season, is that you would see guys actually they are actually remembering that they are having fun. It's the thing I say to a friend who's like nervous to go on a talk show. Say, 'make sure your 10-year-old self getting to go do this thing. Your 10-year-old self doesn't care if you are good on it or not. Your 10-year-old self just wants you to go out there and have fun. And that's a pretty cool feeling."

Wrexham look ready to splash the cash upon promotion to the second tier, with Fulham's Tom Cairney and Lewis O'Brien of Nottingham Forest targeted.