Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Potential Football Club Purchases Before Wrexham
Humphrey Ker, Wrexham’s community director, has recently disclosed the other European football clubs that Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney considered purchasing before they famously took over Wrexham AFC. Ker, aged 42, who was instrumental in sparking the North American duo’s interest in football club ownership, and a prominent figure in the much-loved documentary series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, shared these insights.
While Ker recently stepped down from his executive director role at Wrexham, his influence remains significant. He revealed that before settling on Wrexham, Reynolds, 48, and McElhenney, 47, explored acquiring ownership of several other European football teams. The actors’ investment in Wrexham has been met with incredible success, marked by two consecutive promotions. The club, affectionately nicknamed the Red Dragons, are currently performing strongly in League One, the third tier of English football, sitting in second place.
Speaking on former Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster’s popular podcast, ‘Fozcast,’ Ker detailed the alternative clubs that were on Reynolds and McElhenney’s radar. He stated, “And so I was like, well, all right, we’re looking to Aldershot.”
He further elaborated, “We looked at Hartlepool… lots of people know [about] Carlisle United.”
Wrexham are currently in League One (Credit:Getty)
When Foster inquired about any other “rogue” considerations, Ker revealed that McElhenney initially had his sights set closer to his ancestral roots. “Initially, he [Rob McElhenney] wanted to do it in Ireland or Scotland because he’s from Ireland,” Ker mentioned.
“So he’s like, ‘What about like Shamrock Rovers?’”
Ker explained his rationale against this, stating, “And I was like, look, it’s amazing, you know, League of Ireland, great clubs, historic clubs. It would be brilliant in many ways, but it’d be like throwing a brick into a pond.”
He expanded on this point: “If you put… your time and energy and resources into a League of Ireland club, you win the League of Ireland instantaneously and no one comes close to you, and there’s no drama there.” This suggested that the lack of competitive balance in the League of Ireland wasn’t as appealing for the dramatic narrative they were seeking.
Ker further discussed the Scottish football option, pointing out the exciting prospects of building a club, but also the inevitable challenges: “You could start with like an Arbroath or… Queen of the South or something like that,” Ker suggested, highlighting teams “down near the bottom there” that offered potential for growth and development.
“But then you’re always going to get this thing like…. you probably get them into Premiership, but you’re going to run into, you know, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and then obviously Celtic and Rangers in it.” The dominance of established Scottish Premiership clubs presented a longer and tougher climb to the top.
Alternative Football Clubs Considered by Reynolds & McElhenney Before Wrexham Takeover
Ultimately, Reynolds and McElhenney’s decision to invest in Wrexham has proven to be a resounding success. The Red Dragons are not only experiencing on-field triumphs but also capturing hearts worldwide with their remarkable journey. While reaching the Premier League within two seasons is described as a “tough ask,” the club’s trajectory certainly suggests ambitious possibilities for the future.
Here’s a summary of the football clubs reportedly considered by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney before their acquisition of Wrexham:
- Aldershot Town (English Football)
- Hartlepool United (English Football)
- Carlisle United (English Football)
- Shamrock Rovers (League of Ireland)
- Arbroath FC (Scottish Football)
- Queen of the South (Scottish Football)
The insights from Humphrey Ker provide a fascinating glimpse into the decision-making process behind the Wrexham takeover, revealing that the journey could have taken a very different path. The success story unfolding at Wrexham serves as a testament to the potential found in unexpected places within the world of football.
Want to keep up with Wrexham’s incredible journey? Follow their progress in League One and witness if they can achieve the dream of reaching the Premier League! Visit the official Wrexham AFC website for the latest news, fixtures, and more!