Meet Ryan Reynolds' unlikely Wrexham transfer experts – including Premier League flop
Wrexham are approaching a crucial juncture in their Championship campaign as the January transfer window swings open. The Red Dragons have so far held their own commendably in their first season in the second tier in 43 years.
Phil Parkinson's squad currently sit 11th in the table, just four points shy of the play-off positions after securing consecutive home victories over Sheffield United and Preston North End during the festive period. Wrexham, owned by Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, had a bustling summer following their promotion from League One last season.
The Welsh club splashed out roughly £33million on bringing in 13 new players in the previous window as they aimed to assemble a team capable of competing at this higher level. Meanwhile, club icons Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer were among those who departed, either on loan or permanently.
Club officials aren't anticipating January to be as hectic, but have confirmed that Parkinson will have funds at his disposal as a play-off push remains a viable prospect. Wrexham's five-man transfer committee will be tasked with making pivotal decisions during this period, having been previously put together by chief executive Michael Williamson.
Here, Mirror Football delves into the key figures involved in behind-the-scenes transfer dealings, including a former Premier League managerial flop and an Edinburgh Comedy Award winner.
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Michael WilliamsonMichael Williamson joined Wrexham in May 2024 bringing with him a stellar track record. The American chief executive boasts previous senior roles at Inter Milan, D.C. United and Miami FC and plays a vital role on the transfer committee whilst maintaining a strong working bond with the manager.
Discussing his alliance with Parkinson previously, he said: "Part of that is because I said to him that I will never force a player on you that you don't want, so don't think that will ever happen.
"However, I will put parameters on what we can do, whether it's budgetary, whether it's looking at the age profile and making sure we know that when we invest in a player, there is a reason for it.
"That could be that we need to invest in a player to help us get promoted, or we need to invest in a player because once we get promoted, we need to make sure that we have a squad that's been built along the way."
Shaun HarveyEx-EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey has been instrumental at Wrexham since the Hollywood acquisition in February 2021. He scaled back his involvement somewhat earlier this year following his transition from executive director to a non-executive role, but continues to be part of the transfer framework.
Harvey worked closely with Parkinson on transfer business throughout the reign of Williamson's predecessor, Fleur Robinson, who took a more hands-off approach to player signings. The 55-year-old had previously held chief executive positions at both Bradford and Leeds.
His Wrexham story started as a special adviser to Reynolds and Mac, before he was promoted to a board position. He's a regular face in the Welcome to Wrexham documentary series, appearing alongside the Hollywood ownership pair in numerous scenes.
Les ReedLes Reed was once branded as one of the Premier League's biggest managerial disasters. His stint at the helm of Charlton Athletic lasted just 41 days, spanning from 14 November to 24 December 2006, with only one victory to show for it.
Reed enjoyed far more success as head of football development and vice-chairman of football at Southampton between 2010 and 2018. He arrived at Wrexham as an adviser to Reynolds and Mac in June 2021 and played a part in bringing Parkinson to the club as manager.
Reed's input on player signings also began before Williamson's arrival at the Welsh outfit. Reflecting on the building blocks of Wrexham's success in May 2024, he told The Sun: "It's the combination of Wrexham's culture, history and tradition, its uniqueness as a Welsh club in an English league, with celebrities who understand all that and have got close to the community."
Phil ParkinsonBefore the formation of the transfer committee, Wrexham gaffer Phil Parkinson had a significant say in transfers, albeit under the watchful eye of the owners' trusted advisers. His track record is commendable, with the ex-Sunderland and Bolton boss achieving three back-to-back promotions from the National League to the Championship in recent seasons.
However, as Wrexham's swift climb up the leagues continued, owners Reynolds and Mac found themselves pouring more money into transfers. This led to a more structured approach being adopted once Williamson took his post, holding Parkinson more accountable for his spending.
Humphrey KerHumphrey Ker, a comedian and writer who was once a schoolmate of Prince William at Eton, is without doubt the most surprising member of the panel. Yet, without Ker, Wrexham wouldn't be basking in their current glory.
He played a key role in sparking Mac's interest in football during the Covid pandemic. When the takeover was unveiled towards the end of 2020, Ker was the first on the scene in Wrexham, acting as an essential go-between for the potential owners.
He was later rewarded with an executive director role, before moving to a community director position earlier this year. Despite confessing to having little understanding of how to run a football club prior to his involvement with Wrexham, Ker has a hand in signings and his influence should not be downplayed.
What does the transfer committee actually do?The panel's primary function is to spot potential recruits, assess their fit and worth, and determine which players to target and begin talks with. It was established partly to guarantee openness regarding the considerable player investment by Reynolds and Mac.
Speaking to The Athletic about the committee's approach, Harvey said: "The transfer committee meets on an 'as and when required' basis. In the last week of a window, this usually means every day. But, at other times, it'll be less frequent.
"Phil will start things off at the first meeting by outlining his plans and thinking. This will then spark a discussion. Phil always has the final say. That's how it has always worked here. But by having a transfer committee, we can test different theories.
"Personally, I don't get involved in what qualities a signing can bring. I just look at whether a deal is achievable. But what the setup does is ensure no one here makes decisions in isolation. Or free of enquiry or question."