Explained: The ‘peculiar’ reason why Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds became such a fan of prolific striker Paul Mullin

It would come as no surprise to find that it is Mullin’s exploits in the final third of the field that have endeared him to Hollywood superstar Reynolds – with the 28-year-old frontman netting 79 goals through just 98 appearances for the Dragons.

It is, however, Mullin’s style of walking and his humble character that made Deadpool star Reynolds sit up and take notice following a transfer from Cambridge United in the summer of 2021. Ian Herbert has written in the book ‘Tinseltown: Hollywood and the Beautiful Game – a Match Made in Wrexham’: “He wasn't a shouter in the dressing room and was generally one of the last out on the pitch. Reynolds was most struck by his peculiar gait. This and his sloped shoulders meant he didn't exactly run like a finely honed athlete. But stepping on to the grass seemed to transform Mullin into a different character and, even as the new owners grappled with some of the most basic concepts of football, it was clear that he was a cut above, a class apart and destined to be a significant part of this story they were telling.”

George Dewey, the co-founder of Reynolds' Maximum Effort production company, added on the reasons for admiration of Mullin: “Though Ryan is funny, he has that toughness. It's hidden, but it's there. I think when Ryan looks at Paul he admires the way that guy just finds a way to score in the most improbable situations when no other people will. We always talk about it when we're hiring people - there are just some people who find out a way to win. You can't even control that. They're going to win whether they work for you or not. And Paul feels like that type of person - yet it is so improbable because I know he is not even probably a top 500 best player in the world.”

Mullin has recently returned to action after suffering a punctured lung on Wrexham’s pre-season tour of the United States and will be hoping to open his goal account for the 2023-24 campaign – having previously been a Golden Boot winner in League Two – when Phil Parkinson’s side play host to Grimsby on Saturday.