14 July 2023 , 15:33
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Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman has opened up on his love for Wrexham and made a heartfelt admission about the club's TV series.
The Welsh outfit charmed the masses last season following their whirlwind rise in the National League, where they beat nearest challengers Notts County to the title to ensure promotion back to the EFL after 15 years away. What was effectively the league decider between the two clubs was watched by a worldwide audience, with the Red Dragons having garnered a cult following due to its Hollywood ties.
Owned by acting royalty Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, it comes as little surprise that the historic club has gained such an extensive following stateside and beyond following the "Welcome to Wrexham" TV series. Of course, documentaries within the inner sanctum of dressing rooms are now commonplace but the hands-on approach of the team's chairmen enabled it to become a standout hit.
Viewers developed an attachment to the Racecourse Ground club due to the club's strong core supporter base, as well as the clear passion for the team in the wider North Welsh area. Now, even "X-Men" leading man Jackman has shown that A-List celebrities are not immune to catching the Wrexham bug.
Having watched the aforementioned series, which recently received six Emmy nominations, the "Wolverine" actor expressed his admiration for the show as well as the club itself in the form of an Instagram message. He posted: "You don’t even have to like @vancityreynolds. @wrexham_afc @wrexhamfx is the people, the town, the heart, the show that is balm for the soul."
Ryan Reynolds mispronounces name of new Wrexham signing in hilarious video
It is not the first time that Reynolds' "Deadpool 3" co-star has given his verdict on the subject of Hollywood actors owning teams and the Australian even admitted that he had been tempted to get in on the act and buy a team of his own in the past. The Norwich City enthusiast has so far decided it against and said he would rather get his boots dirty instead of taking the reigns as a chairman.
Explaining his thoughts on his fellow actors purchasing the Welsh outfit, he told the Laura Kuenssberg on her Sunday show: "I will admit to you that when Ryan [Reynolds] bought that team, I did get more than one offer from rivals of that team for £1 to come in as a co-owner and it did seriously tempt me."
Welcome to Wrexham has brought unprecedented attention to the League 2 side (Leon Bennett/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)"This whole thing of outsiders coming in and buying football teams, it feels a little, I don't know, easy. I have decided to go one step further, I am actually going to try out for the team. So Delia Smith, Stephen Fry, I'm coming to try out."
Following their National League heroics last season, the club will embark on a tour of the US this summer with blockbuster dates versus Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United in the diary. As well as these friendlies, Phil Parkinson's players will also face off against LA Galaxy's second string before what will be an emotional homecoming for co-owner McElhenney as his team takes on Philadelphia Union in the city of his birth.
Aiming to repeat their impressive performances from last term this time around in League Two, the Welsh club's coaching staff have been putting their players through their paces after their return for pre-season training this month. They will start their first EFL campaign in a decade and a half versus MK Dons on August 5.