Ryan Reynolds Tearfully Celebrates the ‘Ride of Our Lives’ as Wrexham Is Promoted to League One
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds. Courtesy of Ryan Reynolds/Instagram
Ryan Reynolds was overcome with emotion as Wrexham AFC secured a promotion to League One with another victory. After the team's impressive 6-0 win against Forest Green Rovers, Reynolds took to Instagram to express his joy. He mentioned his disbelief at being so emotional over a football match in North Wales a few years ago and congratulated the team and his fellow chairman, @robmcelhenney, on their success. Reynolds described the experience as the ride of their lives and celebrated the achievement with a message of support for the town.
Reynolds and Rob McElhenny bought Wrexham AFC for $2.5 million in 2021, aiming to revive the team after multiple relegations. They managed to climb from the fifth tier to League Two last year, and now they are in the third tier of English football teams.
In a recent Instagram Story, Reynolds compared their journey to "Field of Dreams," a famous baseball movie from 1989 starring Kevin Costner. McElhenny, on the other hand, expressed his excitement with a simple "No words" post on X (formerly Twitter).
In April 2023, Wrexham achieved promotion for the first time in 15 years by beating Boreham Wood. Reynolds shared on Instagram how he and Rob were overwhelmed by the moment, even though it felt like a blur. The post captured fans flooding the field in celebration after the decisive goal.
Ryan Reynolds Tearfully Celebrates the ‘Ride of Our Lives’ as Wrexham Is Promoted to League One
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney shared a clip on Instagram.
The It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star captioned the clip, saying he couldn't remember the moment.
He mentioned that in the clip, something seemed to leave both of their bodies at the same time.
Then, they were filled back up with an indescribable joy.
Reynolds expressed his excitement about the team's potential promotion, mentioning that it had been building up for the past two years. He admitted that the anticipation had been consistent, with moments like the Nott's County game causing him to lose sleep in the days leading up to matches. It was all he could think about.
A year later, Wrexham achieved a significant victory against Forest Green, leading to their promotion to League One. This achievement, which placed them just two tiers below the Premier League, marked the football club's first consecutive promotions in 159 years.
Wrexham's rise from a small football club to a League One team is showcased in the popular FX docuseries, Welcome to Wrexham. The upcoming promotion is expected to be featured in the third season of the award-winning show.
The docuseries has shone a spotlight on Wales and has boosted tourism in the local area. In April of last year, Reynolds and McElhenney received the prestigious Freedom of the Borough Award from the Wrexham council.
In his acceptance speech, McElhenny expressed his gratitude for the unifying power of football. He mentioned how the sport has allowed him to build connections with people from different parts of the world. He feels incredibly honored and blessed to be a part of this community.
Editor's P/S:
The journey of Wrexham AFC under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has been nothing short of remarkable. From their initial purchase in 2021 to securing promotion to League One, the team has shown incredible resilience and determination. Reynolds' emotional response to the latest victory highlights the deep connection he has developed with the club and its supporters. The docuseries "Welcome to Wrexham" has also played a significant role in showcasing the team's story and boosting tourism in the local area.
McElhenney's words about the unifying power of football resonate deeply. Sports have the ability to bring people together, foster a sense of community, and create lasting memories. The success of Wrexham AFC is a testament to the transformative power of teamwork and the unwavering support of fans. It is a story that inspires hope and reminds us of the joy that can be found in the pursuit of common goals.