IT HAS NOW been nearly four years since two celebrities took over at the helm of a north Wales football club.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney grabbed all the headlines when they decided to takeover Wrexham AFC back in February 2021.

The way they have boosted the football club and its surrounding community ever since has been simply incredible.

With that in mind, we at The Leader this week decided to take a look at just five ways the Hollywood stars have boosted both the football club and the Wrexham community.

Takeover of the football club

Let's start with the obvious one.

Rob and Ryan became co-chairmen of Wrexham AFC back in February 2021.

Since then, the eyes of the world have been on the football club, with new fans coming to watch matches from all over the place including; the USA, Canada, Denmark and more.

Their investment has also led to the club enjoying back-to-back promotions, ending 15 years of hurt to return to the English Football League in the process.

Tourism boost

With the interest in the club at an all-time high, there's a good chance you will spot a Wrexham shirt or two wherever you go on holiday these days.

But, the benefits are being felt back home too, with the Welcome to Wrexham documentary (which Rob and Ryan were a huge part of), showcasing the town/city to the world.

The annual 2023 tourism data for Wales recently revealed that Wrexham County experienced it’s strongest annual performance since records began, with a near 20 per cent year-on-year growth in visitor spend.

The Hollywood takeover by Rob and Ryan has meant that Wrexham’s revival since the pandemic is growing at a strong pace, with the value of tourism increasing by 18.2 per cent from 2022 to £179.4m today.

And if that wasn't enough, research has also showed that people are even booking their stag do's in Wrexham these days!

TOP STORIES TODAY

Ryan Reynolds Memorial Park

It might not have been assembled yet, but once it has been, it will provide a valuable asset to the whole of the Wrexham community.

Bought last year as a birthday gift from Rob and Ryan, the park will be based at the old Hippodrome site on Henblas Street.

Once complete, it will - according to Rob - feature 'open green spaces, pop-up restaurants, movie screenings and more to transform and old site into a 'vibrant space' for people of all ages to enjoy.

Further updates are expected from Wrexham Council soon on this, so keep your eyes peeled!

Charitable donations

Both Rob and Ryan have invested plenty of their time and money towards several charities and people in Wrexham since their takeover.

Among them have been;

  • £10,000 to the intensive care unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital after they cared for player James Jones' partner, Chloe, and their son, Jude.
  • £3,500 to the Wrexham Trainer Revival business after it was burgled.
  • £10,000 to the family of Louis Perrin - a young boy from Wrexham with a rare genetic condition called TUBA1A. 
  • £5,000 to Wrexham Police FC's charity football match in aid of Wrexham Maelor Hospital children's ward.

They have well and truly showcased their generous sides and their love for the people of Wrexham, not just the football club.

Investing in Wrexham Lager

The pair's most recent commitment to the Wrexham community was ensuring that one of it's most historic brands continues to thrive in future.

Rob and Ryan took over Wrexham Lager at the end of last month.

Founded in 1882, it is believed to be the oldest British lager brewery still in existence.

Taking over, the pair said: "Wrexham Lager has a 140-year-old recipe and a storied history and we’re excited to help write its next chapter.”