MICHAEL OWEN admits he's pained by Wrexham's success due to his close connections with arch rivals Chester but the former England international praised Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney for the positive impact they've had on the local area.

The multi-millionaire actors completed their takeover at The Racecourse in February 2021 and the club have become global sensations due to the hit “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary.

There has been lots to celebrate on the pitch with Phil Parkinson guiding Wrexham to back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club's history, and the Reds have hit the ground running in League One where they currently sit top after six matches.

Ex-striker Owen, who played for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Manchester United during his career, has allegiances with Chester where his father Terry plied his trade in the 1970s.

And although he finds it tough seeing Wrexham performing so well, he had nothing but praise for what Reynolds and McClhenney have done and described it as an "incredible story".

Owen told Genting Casino: "I’m a Chester fan of course, my dad played for Chester in the glory years when they got to the League Cup semi-final and got promotion.

"My dad speaks so fondly of his time at Chester and I was born in the city, lived in the city and my home sits just outside the city now so Chester is in my heart and soul.

"So it pains me in a way to say it, but I think it's great to see what is happening at Wrexham. The two owners are doing wonders for football in this part of the world.

"There are so many fans out in America that wouldn't have been football fans, wouldn't have followed football without them. The buzz in the area is quite incredible.

"I live 15 miles from Wrexham and you can feel the buzz down the road. It's quite painful as a Chester fan, looking over your fence and seeing success down there, but also I would like to think that gives the motivation for Chester Football Club and the fans to want better and to want more. We'll see what happens there in the future. 

"I've got no problems with what Wrexham are doing. They're spending money, they're investing money into football.

"The crowds are growing, the stadium is getting bigger and better. I think it's an incredible story."