Why Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's Wrexham success 'pains' Michael Owen as Liverpool icon admits Hollywood pair have created 'incredible buzz'

Owen was born in Chester and supports his local side, who count Wrexham among their rivals. So the sight of the Red Dragons' shining under Reynolds and McElhenney, earning back-to-back promotions and receiving worldwide attention thanks to their Welcome to Wrexham documentary, hurts the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker.

Reynolds and McElhenney have put Wrexham on the map since taking over the club in 2021. Fans have flocked from around the world to see the Welsh side, to the point that it's put a real strain on traffic around the SToK Racecourse. Phil Parkinson's side are now in League One after rising from the National League, and they already have the Championship in their sights after marching to the top of the table.

Owen told Genting Casino: "Well I'm a Chester fan of course, my dad played for Chester in the glory years when they got to the League Cup semi-final and got promotion. My dad speaks so fondly of his time at Chester and I was born in the city, lived in the city and my home sits just outside the city now so Chester is in my heart and soul. So it pains me in a way to say it, but I think it's great to see what is happening at Wrexham. The two owners are doing wonders for football in this part of the world.

"There are so many fans out in America that wouldn't have been football fans, wouldn't have followed football without them. The buzz in the area is quite incredible. I live 15 miles from Wrexham and you can feel the buzz down the road. It's quite painful as a Chester fan, looking over your fence and seeing success down there, but also I would like to think that gives the motivation for Chester Football Club and the fans to want better and to want more. We'll see what happens there in the future.

"I've got no problems with what Wrexham are doing. They're spending money, they're investing money into football. The crowds are growing, the stadium is getting bigger and better. I think it's an incredible story."

Reynolds and McElhenney will be keen to get one over retired NFL superstar Tom Brady when Wrexham take on Birmingham on Monday evening.