'I met Ryan Reynolds and noticed three things that put Wrexham owner in a different league'

A former Premier League star reckons Ryan Reynolds' humility, calm approach and listening skills put him a cut above other football owners. The Deadpool actor bought Wrexham in February 2021, alongside It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator Rob Mac.

The Welsh side have registered three straight promotions in their last three seasons under manager Phil Parkinson. The celebrity ownership, combined with the success of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, has helped turn the club into a global brand, delivering an increased financial turnover and widespread international media attention.

Ex-Wales striker Robert Earnshaw recently had the opportunity to speak to Reynolds and Mac in person while working as a pundit for Wrexham's Championship clash with his old club West Brom. The 44-year-old said he was inspired by what he heard from the pair at the Racecourse Ground and has now outlined the qualities which put them in a league of their own.

"Wrexham is an excellent club with a rich history and right now it's an exciting time to be there," Earnshaw told BetVictor Casino. "I had the chance to speak with Ryan Reynolds after a West Brom game and he, along with Rob McElhenney, impressed me.

"[They were] humble, calm and understanding of what makes a good team both on and off the pitch. They trust the football experts to make decisions, which shows they know how to run a club properly.

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"The turnaround at Wrexham over the past four seasons has been incredible - three promotions back-to-back and now just one league from the Premier League. The club is well-run behind the scenes, has a strong squad and has made smart signings to complement the team."

He added: "There's real quality in the dressing room and a positive, driven energy across the club. I'd have loved to play there - it's a team on the rise with supportive owners, good players and a clear plan for success."

Despite Earnshaw's high praise for the Hollywood duo, a recent survey suggests not every fanbase would be happy to have them at the helm. The poll conducted by YouGov Sports shows 66 per cent of more than 2,000 football supporters questioned wouldn't want Reynolds and Mac to own their club.

Liverpool and Newcastle supporters were most against the idea following their recent Premier League and Carabao Cup success respectively. Manchester United fans were the most receptive, potentially due to significant discontent with the Glazer family's ownership and, more recently, the partial takeover by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Wrexham are currently positioned in the lower mid-table of the Championship after picking up ten points from their opening nine matches. The club's co-owners, along with minority stakeholders the Allyn family, provided Parkinson with significant financial backing during the summer transfer window.

Around £33million was spent on attracting 13 new players to help make the Red Dragons competitive following their promotion from League One in April. Wrexham's most recent fixture saw them draw 1-1 with Birmingham at home on Friday night and Parkinson is confident they are gradually improving in the second tier.

"This is a squad which is growing together and the signings are getting better all the time," Parkinson said after the final whistle. "I'm sure when we wake up tomorrow we'll be looking at a team which is growing into the division well.

"We're very confident of the group and just need to start turning these draws into wins. We've just got to keep growing as a team and we will do."