‘Need Welcome to Birmingham’ – Blues getting it wrong with NFL legend Tom Brady as Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Wrexham show how to crack America

Two Hollywood superstars arrived at SToK Racecourse in 2021 and have overseen a remarkable adventure in North Wales. Their every move has been caught on camera by an award-winning documentary series – opening up a window to the world as Wrexham see their global fan base increase dramatically.

In contrast, Birmingham have done little to promote the fact that NFL legend Brady forms part of their board – with the seven-time Super Bowl winner holding a small stake in the Blues. They are being urged to make more of the iconic quarterback’s presence – with the interest being shown in a League One clash with Wrexham proving what can be achieved a long way outside of the West Midlands.

Chris Harris, editor of US-based WorldSoccerTalk, has told BBC Sport of what needs to be done in order for the Blues to rival Wrexham’s popularity: “We’re into college football and NFL where he’s on television as a co-commentator, so there’s been very little mention of it in the media. They’re missing a Welcome to Birmingham.”

He went on to say: “Birmingham haven’t been able to market Brady much, if at all. People are not making the connection, whereas with Rob and Ryan, even if they are busy and missing matches, you still have that drive whether through social media, clever partnerships. And with the documentary selling itself, it reaches a whole new audience for those partners and for the club, maybe not football fans. It’s calculated, they are smart business people, because the reality of this is Wrexham are a small club without the facilities. Birmingham are the opposite.”

Birmingham have shown their ambition by spending big in the transfer market, with the intention being to compete with the likes of Wrexham for promotion into the Championship this season. They head into a meeting with the Red Dragons on Monday unbeaten through their opening four games of the 2024-25 campaign.