Revealed: ‘Surreal’ transfer that proved ambition of Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney at Wrexham – with team-mates convinced deal would not happen

Hollywood co-owners at SToK Racecourse have made several statements of intent since completing a stunning takeover in 2021. Phil Parkinson was acquired as manager to oversee back-to-back promotions, while the likes of Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, Elliot Lee and James McClean have all taken steps down the Football League ladder.

It was, however, the arrival of former Manchester United and England goalkeeper Ben Foster in March 2023 - when the Red Dragons were still a National League outfit - that raised the most eyebrows. Former Wrexham captain Young has told the Rob Ryan Red Podcast of that shock signing: “Again, a crazy moment. You hear talk about him signing and you’re like: ‘Nah, not going to happen’. And then nothing gets announced that he has signed but you walk into the club and into the canteen to have breakfast and there he is, sat eating breakfast. Ahhh right, yeah, we’ve just signed Ben Foster. It was a surreal moment and again, it has shown the calibre of players the club can attract.”

The presence of Reynolds and McElhenney has aided that cause, with Young adding on celebrity co-owners that are fully committed to the collective cause: “As soon as you meet them and speak to them, they’re like genuine people, they really are. You take your hat off to them, putting in the time and the effort they have done into this football club, not only from a footballing point of view, but also a community point of view as well. Everything they’ve done is for the best of the club and town. They’re doing that in abundance and I’m sure they’ll continue doing that in the future.”

Reynolds and McElhenney are currently working with Parkinson on transfer targets for the summer window of 2024, with Wrexham preparing to take another step up in class as they return to the third tier of English football for the first time in 20 years.