‘What I love about this place…’ Inside Wrexham’s wild celebrations as Ryan Reynolds issues emotional statement
RYAN REYNOLDS released an emotional statement amid wild celebrations as Wrexham climbed into the Championship.
The Welsh side beat Charlton 3-0 yesterday to land their third promotion in as many years.
Actors-turned-club owners Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were both at the Racecourse Ground to join in with the party.
As the final whistle went, fans invaded the pitch in celebration and the Hollywood duo shared a lengthy hug.
Reynolds, who was joined by his actress wife Blake Lively, posed for a snap in the stands before they then headed down to the pitch.
The Deadpool star got his hands on a medal and was seen congratulating his players and manager Phil Parkinson.
Reynolds and McElhenney then brought an American tradition to English football by pouring a huge bucket of sports drink Gatorade over club chief Michael Williamson.
The party carried onto long into the night as champagne was sprayed around the dressing room.
Wrexham stars downed booze and poured beer over boss Parkinson, who has overseen an incredible rise from the National League to the Championship.
The win over Charlton was his 181st league match in charge of the club and his 112th victory.
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They have scored 361 goals and average a stunning 2.08 points per game.
Wrexham have made climbing the football pyramid look simple and an emotional Reynolds said in a statement: “We’ve been with Wrexham for what seems like the blink of an eye, but so much has happened.
“I remember the first press conference, we were asked what our goals were… and I think Rob jumped in with, ‘The Premier League.’
“People laughed. They had every right to. It seemed insane… but we weren’t kidding.
“I feel at home here. It’s a place that values community, decency and history.
“From the respect it pays to the Gresford Disaster, to the feeling of hope and miracles created by Mickey Thomas. These are big reasons Wrexham is growing into what it always was.
“It isn’t just a place with a history of ups and downs, it’s also a FEELING. And a feeling is sometimes as good or better than a memory.
“We made history. We’ve been promoted for a record third time in a row.
“That doesn’t happen without the wisdom of Phil Parkinson and his coaching staff, or the talent of Paul Mullin. It doesn’t happen without Max Cleworth and Arthur Okonkwo.
“Or Mark Howard who may have one of the hardest jobs there is. I watched Sam Smith create a frightening blend between football and martial arts, scoring our second goal yesterday.
“The Stadium feels like a church. I know so many of you now. Since February, 2021, I’ve watched babies become regulars. And some regulars depart us for good.
“We’ve had the honour to scatter ashes of loved ones across that field. I’ve even watched every available hand shovel snow off the pitch to keep a match from cancellation.
“Somebody said the Welsh have the ‘heart of a poet and the fist of a fighter.’ That’s what I love about this place. I wish the whole world could visit Wrexham.”
Lively added: “Back-to-back-to-back. History was made. I will never forget the love and elation in that town today. Thank you for sharing it with us.”
Reynolds and McElhenney bought the club in February 2021 for £2m and it now worth over £100m.
Being in the second tier is expected to see the club make at least £13m more per year.