'Quite strange' – Wrexham stars still not used to Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney treatment in the United States after seeing award-winning documentary make them household names

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been at the Red Dragons’ helm since completing a stunning takeover in 2021. They have overseen back-to-back promotions and the relentless rise of a global profile that has been aided considerably by the award-winning ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series.

Part of that success has allowed pre-season to be spent in America, with Phil Parkinson’s side returning to that part of the world in 2024. Experienced striker Palmer has told the LA Times of becoming household names in the States: “We’re very fortunate to play for Wrexham. These pre-season tours are special. These are top-10 Premier League pre-season tours where you get to go and travel, play in unbelievable stadiums against unbelievable competition. And we’re very lucky to be doing that. We’re aware of how big the docuseries is. When we first got to America on tour, we kind of realised how much people really enjoyed the show and taken to some of the players. That’s quite strange, you know, people coming up to you on the other side of the pond, you’re having dinner and some American person wants a picture.”

While embracing new-found celebrity status, Palmer concedes that Wrexham have to ensure that football remains their priority. He added, having benefited as much as anybody from the business acumen that Reynolds and McElhenney also bring to the Red Dragons party: “That’s [football] what we’re paid to do. That’s our full focus. Ryan and Rob have created a documentary, which has done extremely well. But that is on the side. Ultimately, we do just want to be players. But obviously when someone comes up and they say [nice] things, it makes you feel good. That’s why I think sports are important: it changes people’s lives, it gives people a purpose. It’s great to be able to do that for people.”

Wrexham are readying themselves for a clash with Premier League side Bournemouth on Saturday. They will also face top-flight giants Chelsea while on the American west coast, before heading north to Canada for a meeting with MLS side the Vancouver Whitecaps in Reynolds’ home town.