Jokes galore from Wrexham AFC’s celebrity owners
Five Welsh areas bid for City of Culture 2025
RYAN REYNOLDS and Rob McElhenney have shared a joke “cease and desist” to TV series Ted Lasso after the comedy made fun of their ownership of a football club.
The Deadpool star and the Mythic Quest creator completed their takeover of Wrexham in February, when they invested an immediate £2m in the National League club.
Ahead of the club’s first game of the season, their first since they became owners, the men both posted letters to social media on headed paper reading: “From the desk of RR McReynolds.”
The letter to Apple TV+, which airs Ted Lasso and McElhenney’s series Mythic Quest, reads: “It has come to our attention that in a recent episode of Ted Lasso, our very real ownership of Wrexham AFC was called into question by an otherwise beloved character named ‘Higgins’.
“While we hold the incomparable Jeremy Swift in no ill regard and are honoured to be mentioned on the platform that’s brought us high-quality programming ranging from Mythic Quest season one to Mythic Quest season two, we must insist that you cease and desist from the casting of any doubt regarding our commitment to the club, the fans and the entire Wrexham community.”
The men said that to avoid legal action, the company should send two large boxes of Lasso’s trademark biscuits to the Wrexham stadium ahead of the match.
Ted Lasso follows the amiable American manager of fictional football club AFC Richmond, played by Jason Sudeikis.
Wrexham will play their first game of the season away to Solihull Moors on Saturday.
Ahead of the clash McElhenney shared a video of some of his It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia costars, including Danny DeVito, sharing half-hearted messages of support.
DeVito, who plays Frank Reynolds in the comedy, says to the camera: “Are we doing it now? Go Wrexham.”
Glenn Howerton, who plays Dennis Reynolds, asks: “Why are you making me do this?” before the camera swings to Kaitlin Olson (Dee Reynolds) who is obscured, and Charlie Day (Charlie Kelly), who asks: “What am I getting paid?”
McElhenney then swings the camera round to himself and says: “Up the town, let’s go Wrexham!”
He captioned the video: “So much love and support.”
HOPES have been raised that a Hollywood-driven profile boost could help Wrexham’s bid to win the title of UK City of Culture 2025.
The county borough is one of 20 places to put its name forward for the competition after senior politicians approved an application last month. It also lines up alongside four other Welsh bids: the city of Bangor and northwest Wales, Conwy county, the city of Newport and Powys.
The takeover of Wrexham AFC by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has attracted worldwide attention since news of their interest in the club was first revealed in September 2020.
Wrexham Council leader Mark Pritchard believes its star appeal could be key to beating cities like Southampton and Wolverhampton to win the accolade, as well as its industrial heritage.
He said: “The Welsh language and culture is embedded in the fabric of Wrexham from our manufacturing and mining heritage to our modern and thriving business park that includes a manufacturer of the Covid vaccine.
“It’s not hard to get excited about the stratospheric developments at the Racecourse ground and Wrexham AFC.
“The club, the fans and the new owners are spreading the Wrexham name worldwide, engaging with a new international audience for the club and town.”
The UK Government on Friday confirmed it had received a record number of entries from places interested in becoming the next UK City of Culture.
As well as cities, regions and groups of towns from across the UK were encouraged to apply on this occasion.
Cllr Pritchard said having the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on its doorstep could also aid Wrexham’s cause, with further plans in the pipeline for the old Brymbo Steelworks site to be turned into a visitor attraction.
Meanwhile, the leader of Newport city council has defended the city’s bid to become the UK’s next city of culture, and said some people criticising the bid on social media are ill-informed.
Critics on social media said authorities should target their efforts at post-pandemic recovery instead. But Cllr Jane Mudd said there is no better time to bid for exactly that reason.
“It really isn’t what quite badly informed and negative people have said. It’s a great time for Newport to go for this.”
She also knocked back suggestions that the financial implications of a bid would be problematic for the city.
“If you look at [previous winner] Hull, the contribution from their city council was minimal when compared to the returns.”
The winner will be announced in May 2022.