Hollywood goes… to Maidenhead! Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney jet in to watch fifth-tier Wrexham for the first time since the actors bought the football team back in February
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney got a first taste of life as a football owner as they jetted in to the UK and went to straight to Maidenhead to watch Wrexham’s latest match.
Sportsmail reported that the Hollywood pair would be travelling over from the United States this week to watch their first match since purchasing the club in February.
They arrived minutes before kick-off to a barrage of camera flashes and were carefully escorted into their seats by an extensive security team.
McElhenney sported a puffy Wrexham jacket, accompanied by a Wrexham AFC snapback hat, while Reynolds chose a navy coat and a darker overcoat for the cold Tuesday night match.
Ryan Reynolds (left) and Rob McElhenney (right) touched down in the UK to see their first game as owners of Wrexham AFC on Tuesday – an away league game at Maidenhead United
Things got off to a rocky start for the Hollywood stars as Kane Ferdinand put Maidenhead United ahead on the break to make it 1-0. Two minutes later things went badly wrong when Maidenhead scored again to make it 2-0.
Many expected that match to be Saturday’s visit from Torquay United but they pulled a surprise by turning up at Maidenhead’s York Road stadium.
Reynolds and McElhenney have been determined to make their first visit together, rather than individually, but due to their schedules it proved difficult.
Travel plans from the United States and Canada thwarted a previous attempt last season.
But with Reynolds last week announcing he is taking a sabbatical following conclusion of filming upcoming Christmas film Spirited, and McElhenney finished with season 15 of his show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, a gap appeared for them to visit on Tuesday night.
The pair will visit the Racecourse Ground for the first time on Saturday against Torquay United
It has been a mixed start to the season for Wrexham, managed by former Bolton and Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson, as they sit 11th, 13 adrift of league leaders Grimsby Town.
Reynolds and McElhenney sealed their takeover of the National League side back in February, purchasing it from the Wrexham Supporters’ Trust.
They immediately invested £2million into the club and their profile as co-chairmen has seen sponsors including TikTok and Expedia brought in as official partners.
Asked why he got involved, Reynolds told The Telegraph: ‘I am proud to say it was never a joke.
‘We take the growing and building of both Wrexham AFC and Wrexham the community very seriously.
‘In a town like Wrexham, if the football club is going to do very well, the community has to do very well.’
Reynolds and McElhenney are transforming the fifth tier football side into a ‘global force’