Revealed: How Russell Crowe buying Wrexham rumour started – with the man who spread ‘A-list’ gossip delighted to have Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney instead

Back in early 2021, speculation emerged in North Wales regarding supposed interest from “A-list” stars and a possible takeover at the Racecourse Ground. Inevitably, numerous names were thrown into the mix – with Gladiator actor Crowe among those said to be in the frame.

Rich Watkin, who is part-owner of the popular Fat Boar pub where Wrexham players celebrated their National League title triumph last season, has told The Athletic of how he inadvertently started the Crowe gossip: "The rumours Russell Crowe was buying Wrexham were down to me. At least in part, anyway. I’m good friends with Shaun Pearson, who was the club captain. We were discussing this mystery bidder one day when Shaun told me, ‘All we’ve been told is it’s a Hollywood A-lister’.

"I went away to think about it and then texted him one Monday night to say I’d worked it out. I explained how it was Russell Crowe, as his grandfather had once had a fruit and veg shop in Wrexham. So, there was a link. I hadn’t just made it up! Shaun then stuck this in the players’ WhatsApp, saying, ‘I think this new owner is Russell Crowe’. Later that same night, one of the players ordered a takeaway from the Fat Boar and I wrote on the box, ‘Russell Crowe’s Red and White Army’. After that, suddenly everyone was telling me it was Russell Crowe!"

While Crowe has continued to distance himself from the Red Dragons, Hollywood superstars Reynolds and McElhenney are fully committed to a long-term project. Watkin is delighted to have the pair on board after seeing his own prediction fall some way wide of the mark. He added: “I took it on the chin. I couldn’t do anything else. I’m perfectly happy with who we did get.”

Reynolds and McElhenney have made a stunning impact on and off the field at Wrexham, with the club’s stock soaring as a result. They are stars of their own award-winning documentary series and are taking aim at back-to-back promotions – as Phil Parkinson’s side continue to ride high in the League Two table.