Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds, best known for his role as Deadpool, has shared a light-hearted but revealing glimpse into how his growing passion for Wrexham AFC affects his family life. Despite the success and global attention his football club co-ownership continues to attract, Reynolds admits that the constant Wrexham conversations with fans can be a source of “frustration” for his children when they are out together.
Reynolds co-owns Wrexham AFC with fellow actor Rob McElhenney after the pair purchased the historic Welsh club in February 2021. What began as an ambitious entertainment and sporting project has evolved into a global phenomenon, blending football, community activism, documentary storytelling, and celebrity influence into one unique package. However, Reynolds’ commitment to the club has also brought unexpected personal moments, especially when his children accompany him in public.
Family life and the Wrexham obsession
Reynolds joked that his children often get “frustrated” when fans stop them in the street specifically to talk about Wrexham, drawing attention away from regular family activities and turning casual outings into unwelcome football interviews. The actor explained that quick conversations about his film career, including brief exchanges about Deadpool, usually take just a few seconds, but Wrexham chats can linger as fans stop him and engage deeply.
Reynolds said: “If we are walking down the street, I’ll get asked about Deadpool and it’s usually a two or three-second conversation. If someone talks about Wrexham, I just turn right round and park it against a street pole. My kids are like, ‘oh no!’” That reaction from his family reflects how Reynolds’ Wrexham involvement has become more than a pastime, it has become a defining part of his public identity and a noticeable topic in everyday life.
Wrexham AFC was struggling when Reynolds and McElhenney arrived, following relegation from the Football League in 2008 and a supporter-led rescue in later years. Since the takeover, the club has achieved three consecutive promotions and now competes in the Championship, England’s second-tier league, a remarkable achievement that has captured the imagination of fans around the world.
Reynolds reflects on his role and Wrexham’s future
Reynolds describes himself as a “Wrexham lifer”, admitting that his investment in the club goes beyond mere ownership. He and McElhenney have openly acknowledged that they “still do not fully understand” the sport completely, yet their commitment and passion have grown alongside the club’s success. As Wrexham continues its ambitious journey, the actor has said he feels deeply connected to the team’s fortunes, celebrating victories and agonising over defeats alongside fans.
He added that his emotional investment is reflected in how he reacts to the club’s results. “I know I’m a football fan and a Wrexham lifer because I’m inconsolable when we lose. I’ve never been as invested in winning and losing before,” Reynolds said, illustrating just how personally he engages with Wrexham’s season.
The Wrexham project has also become the focus of a popular Disney+ docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, which achieved critical acclaim and multiple awards. The series helps explain the context and emotional stakes behind the club’s resurgence, bringing viewers into the world of lower-league football and documenting the significant cultural impact of celebrity co-ownership.
Off the pitch, Reynolds and McElhenney have expressed ambitions for Wrexham that extend beyond football results. Plans include expanding infrastructure such as completing the Kop stand at The Racecourse Ground and fostering community programs focused on arts, education, and entrepreneurship. These goals reflect a broader commitment to the town itself, with Reynolds stating that he sees the club as “the big, beating heart of the community. Basically, Wrexham’s community centre. Or church.”
Despite the frustration from his children when strangers enthusiastically interrupt outings to talk all things Wrexham, Reynolds remains unapologetic in his advocacy for the club and its fans. The joyful chaos that surrounds his family’s association with Wrexham is a testament to how deeply the club has embedded itself into his life and identity.