Wryan of Wrexham
Hollywood star Reynolds given freedom of city for footie boost
HOLLYWOOD star Ryan Reynolds was thrilled to be given the freedom of Wrexham yesterday for his contribution to the Welsh city.
The Deadpool actor, 46, has been afforded hero status in the borderlands since he and actor Rob McElhenney bought the local football club.
Their TV series, Welcome to Wrexham, which tells the story of the takeover, has become a worldwide hit and raised the profile of the North Wales city on both sides of the Atlantic.
They were both given its highest honour by Mayor Brian Cameron.
Hours later they cheered the team on to a dramatic 3-2 win over National League title rivals Notts County.
Ryan told councillors in the Guildhall: “I’m so touched that I get to be a part of this story. I know we’re here so you guys can thank us for some reason but I feel like it is the other way around and we want to thank you. Words are too clumsy to quantify what it means to me, what it means to Rob.”
His co-owner, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Rob, said sharing the experience of the past two years with his family had been the “greatest honour of my life”.
He added: “I’ve been able to forge these connections between people who live all the way across the world.”
Civic bosses revealed last December the pair would be given the freedom of the borough.
Council leader Mark Pritchard said: “These two Hollywood stars have had an incredible impact on both the football club and the community, and have helped catapult Wrexham on to the world stage.”
Reynolds, who is believed to have bought a £1.5million home in the nearby village of Marford, said later he was “impossibly grateful” for the honour.
On the pitch, the A-listers’ influence has led the men’s team to the brink of promotion to the Football League as they top the table by three points with a game in hand and just five matches left of their second season at the helm.
They have also backed the women’s side and made them the first semi-pro players in the Welsh league.
Away from football, the pair’s presence has been credited with sparking a £136million investment boost to the city.
Earlier this year FI Real Estate Management, the largest landowner at Wrexham Industrial Estate, bought an extra 56 acres.
The firm’s founder, Tim Knowles, said the decision reflected a surge in demand from companies and the feelgood factor given to the area by the football club.
Words are too clumsy to quantify what it means to me and Rob
RYAN REYNOLDS ON HIS HONOUR FROM WREXHAM