'Moment of class' - Ryan Reynolds hailed for what he did after Wrexham suffered embarrassing defeat in front of David Beckham and Will Ferrell

The Hollywood superstar was, alongside fellow co-chairman Rob McElhenney, hoping to enjoy a dream start to a shock sporting adventure in North Wales as the end of the 2021-22 campaign approached.

Wrexham made their way to the FA Trophy final at Wembley, where they faced Bromley. A-list guests were invited to join Reynolds and Co in a VIP suite - including Manchester United legend Beckham, movie star Ferrell and McElhenney’s wife Kaitlin Olson.

They witnessed Bromley claim a shock 1-0 win, before Wrexham went on to suffer further heartache against Grimsby in the National League play-offs - delaying what has since been a rapid and record-breaking ascent up the EFL ladder.

Bromley CEO Mark Hammond has discussed facing celebrity rivals on The Business of Sport podcast, saying: “We were the underdog against Wrexham, with Ryan Reynolds, but Andy [Woodman, Bromley manager] and the team, they did it, they beat Wrexham 1-0. That moment put us on the map as 'we're coming'.

“We were already on the journey, but that really cemented that we're part of something, we're onto something, and we've just beaten Wrexham with Ryan Reynolds and Rob. But I have to say, at the start of the game, there was the entourage, and you had David Beckham and Will Ferrell.

“The mark of the man though is that after the game, 15 minutes after everybody had gone, Ryan Reynolds walked out and he shook the owner's hand, my hand, and he stood with us for 15 minutes congratulating and talking normally, just a real human being, and I thought that was class because he could have gone home.”

Hammond added: “He had Netflix and Disney and Rolls-Royces and all of the grandiose stuff that comes with being an A-lister, but he took the time to come down and shake our hand and wish us all the best.

“I'll never forget that, and it was a moment of class, and I've taken that that's how you need to act and be humble in defeat. The irony is, I don't think it's an act. Although they're actors, it's not an act, they are good people.”

Reynolds and McElhenney have seen their patience and commitment rewarded with three successive promotions. They are now competing in the Championship, one step from the Premier League, with more drama being delivered for the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series.