Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny to be honoured by the city of Wrexham
The two Hollywood actors will be honoured for the work they have put into Wrexham FC
Last updated 27th Nov 2023
Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been honoured by the city of Wrexham by being awarded the freedom of the city.
The Deadpool actor and Always Sunny in Philadelphia funny man have said they are honoured by the proposal to be recognised in this way, after taking over the running of Wrexham FC.
Last year they bought the club, a move that council leaders have described as giving the town a ‘global promotion’, which is why they have now been given the city’s highest honour.
Since taking over the club, Wrexham FC has been the subject of the Disney Plus docu-series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, and the North Wales side finished second in the National Football League, just missing out on promotion in the playoffs.
In a statement, Reynold and McElhenny said "This is a great honour that the Council are proposing in recognition of the global promotion and awareness that we have been able to create for Wrexham as the Club’s custodians.
"The most significant aspect of the honour is that it recognises that we have begun to achieve what it was that we set out to deliver, off the pitch.
"Our documentary Welcome to Wrexham has taken Wrexham to households around the World and the second series will hopefully add to the increased numbers who now know where Wrexham is.
"As we have repeatedly said, this isn’t about us, we created an opportunity that the community firstly embraced and is now taking forward. The good news is that we will only get stronger together with the community at the forefront.
"We would like to thank everyone who is considering us for this award and the people of Wrexham.”
Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, says: “Football is the beating heart of our community and there’s always been incredible passion and support for the club.
"We have an amazing story here in Wrexham, along with a unique character and identity that is winning fans all over the world.
"These two Hollywood actors have had an incredible impact on both the football club and the community and have helped catapult Wrexham onto the world stage.
"You couldn’t wish to meet two nicer people – they really are two wonderful guys who’ve put their heart and soul into this city, and it feels like the right time to talk about how we recognise that.”
Past recipients of the award include former Prime Minister David Lloyd George who was honoured with a "silver tea and coffee service" and double gold medal-winning rower Tom James.
The council will make a final vote on the matter on December 21.