Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds gave a harsh assessment of Wrexham’s beginning to the season before watching the club turn around their fortunes to secure another promotion

Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds admitted that watching Wrexham’s first game back in the EFL after a 15-year absence felt like a ‘funeral’ as the newly-promoted side slumped to a sobering defeat.

After just three losses in the National League in the prior season en route to a historic championship, the Red Dragons endured a baptism of fire on their return to the fourth tier. Having last competed at that level in 2008, the Welsh outfit suffered some teething problems in their first game of the new campaign.

Eventually losing 5-3 to MK Dons on a opening day to forget, the home crowd were subjected to a hastening afternoon during the eight-goal thriller. From there, Phil Parkinson’s men won just one of their first five outings in the division – as hopes of a second promotion in as many seasons were dealt an early blow.

However, Wrexham eventually rallied as they put together another season to remember, booking their place in League One with a two games to spare in April. Their passage to the third tier came after a 6-0 demolition job over Forest Green Rovers, with the team eventually going up as runners-up to Stockport.

Back in August, though, it appeared that co-owner Reynolds felt the full force of the disappointment after their League Two campaign initially faltered. On camera as part of the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ series, the Hollywood actor was clearly concerned by what he had witnessed on opening day during episode one of the third season of the show.

During the game itself, the ‘Deadpool’ superstar admitted that things had not gone to plan, as he acknowledged: “It was a hard-launch failure. It’s like I’m at a funeral,” before confessing that the game had proven a wake-up call, adding: “A good old-fashioned, pants-down spanking in a supermarket.”

He even was involved in a nervous exchange with co-owner Rob McElhenney as they realized the season was going to be a difficult undertaking this time around. The latter quipped: “Humphrey (Ker), why did you tell us to go to this league? I like the other league better, with his co-owner saying: “We lost like three times in the other league, all year! Let’s go back,” before McElhenney interjected: “Is that an option?”

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Fast forward to the close of the season and their doubtful words appeared slightly premature as Wrexham showed their class over the 46 league games to earn promotion. As their fate was finally sealed last month, it appears that the club’s world-famous owners were beaming with satisfaction.

Co-chairman Reynolds could not contain his pride, as he posted on Twitter/X: “This is the ride of our lives, adding “Double up the town! This is the ride of our lives,” A few years ago, if you told me I would be crying tears of joy over a football match taking place in North Wales, you would be Rob McElhenney. Congrats to Wrexham and to my co-chairman in crime.”

His business partner McElhenney similarly appeared overcome with emotion following another landmark achievement in their glittering reign at the Racecourse Ground. Taking to the social media site, the ‘It’s Always Sunny’ superstar was rendered near-speechless, as he posted: “No Words.”