Latest news with #Wrexham
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ryan Reynolds' pal Rob McElhenney files to legally change his name and reveals why
Rob McElhenney is tired of having so many syllables in his last name. The It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star, 49, filed legal documents in Los Angeles to officially change his name, TMZ reported. Rob Mac is what he's going with, eliminating most of the name that has been difficult and annoying for the co-owner (with Ryan Reynolds) of Wrexham's football club. His More Better Productions has been investing in soccer teams in South America and he finds South Americans can't wrap their tongues around his multi-syllabic surname. He's been going by Rob Mac in his business endeavors for awhile. 'As our business and our storytelling is expanding into other regions of the world and other languages in which my name is even harder to pronounce, I'm just going by Rob Mac,' he told Variety last month. Rob was worried he might ruffle the feathers of his ancestors with the name change. However, he soon learned that he wasn't going to be the first McElhenney to change their moniker. Some relatives had already made their own changes to their last name over the years. And those that hadn't changed their name were excited to do so when they learned that he was. His wife, High Potential and Hacks star Kaitlin Olson and their two teenage boys are still getting used to the Rob Mac idea. 'The kids are really not happy about it, because they have that last name,' Olson said. 'And so do I, legally!' Rob and Kaitlyn met on the set of It's Always Sunny in 2005 and began secretly dating during the FX comedy's second season. They married in Malibu in September 2008 and welcomed their sons in 2010 and 2012, respectively. Rob Mac is what he's going with, eliminating most of the name that has been difficult and annoying for the co-owner (with Ryan Reynolds ) of Wrexham's football club. Seen here November 17, 2022 But they almost didn't meet as Rob wasn't thrilled to be casting Kaitlyn in Its Always Sunny. Sunny came out of a low-budget project that Rob Mac, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton dreamed up. At her audition, Olson read with Day, while her future husband directed. At one point, he told her to improvise. 'I let go of the already funny stuff and concentrated on leveling up the rest of the material,' Olson recalled to Variety. 'After, I called my manager and said, "The audition was great. I want this job. But I'm so pissed that I left out the funniest line that was already in there, because I was so focused on just making everything bounce better,"' she said. As it turns out, McElhenney wrote that funny line. 'So she leaves the room, we're no doubt 100% thinking she was awesome,' McElhenney remembered. 'But I don't know if her instincts were 100% right, because she left out the funniest line,' he said. 'Now, is it a coincidence that I happened to write that line? I was 26 years old, and probably very precious with what I was writing,' Rob explained. Fortunately, Rob's partners talked him out of discarding Kaitlin for the role of Sweet Dee. When he called to offer her the project, she turned it down because she discovered the funny lines she was reading weren't for her character. 'When they offered me the part, I asked for four scripts,' she said. 'And I was shocked, because they didn't have anything funny for Sweet Dee.' Sweet Dee was written as a nag, whereas the guys all got the jokes to deliver. McElhenney explained that with their shoestring budget, they hadn't been able to write new scripts to reflect where they wanted to go with Dee. He promised his future wife her character would be funny and Olson gave in and joined the cast.
Wales Online
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
James McClean sent warning over behaviour by ex-Wrexham colleague - 'It can go against you'
James McClean sent warning over behaviour by ex-Wrexham colleague - 'It can go against you' Wrexham's James McClean has been praised for his passion but warned his antics with rival fans may backfire, despite being a key figure in the club's recent promotions Wrexham's James McClean is known for winding up fans of other clubs in response to the abuse he receives (Image: Ben Roberts - Danehouse/Getty Images ) Wrexham captain James McClean has been warned that winding up opposition fans could backfire on his team. The former Republic of Ireland international is a much-loved figure among the Welsh side's supporters after leading them to two promotions since joining in August 2023. The warm reception from the Wrexham faithful is in stark contrast, though, to that he gets from other fanbases. The winger has been on the receiving end of abuse for most of his career due to his decision not to wear a poppy on his shirt around Remembrance Sunday. McClean normally takes it in his stride, often waving to supporters of other teams to annoy them. During Wrexham's League One match away at Birmingham in September, the 36-year-old took things a step further after responding to goading from the home fans by pointing to his 'Free Derry' tattoo. He was also seen catching a cup thrown at him from the crowd at St. Andrews and pretending to drink from it in an act of defiance. While McClean appears to use the vitriol to spur him on, one of his ex-teammates has now warned that it could have a negative impact as the club prepares for life in the Championship next term. Defender Ben Tozer played alongside McClean during the 2023/24 season as Wrexham secure promotion from League Two. Despite praising the Derryman's character, he cautioned that his antics could give opponents more incentive to win. Speaking on an upcoming episode of the Fearless in Devotion podcast, Tozer said: "There is a balance because Jimmy loves that, he thrives off it and he needs it. The things that people are saying to him are out of order. Article continues below Wrexham defender Ben Tozer has praised McClean's work ethic, but questioned if his antics could be counterproductive (Image: Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images ) "The funny thing is, they're happy to give it to him, and if he gives them a little bit back they completely lose their minds. He doesn't even swear at them, call them names or anything like that. "But does it help or hinder the team? There will possibly be times where you go to an away game, the crowd is silent and that is what you want. But Jimmy doesn't and he wants the crowd to be on his back. "I'm sure there are times where you go away and it picks the opposition up if they've been poor and it gives them an extra bit of energy. It can go against you, but there's been no complaints yet." Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. The 2024/25 campaign ended well for Wrexham as they achieved promotion from League One in April. However, the level of venom directed at McClean became a source of frustration for manager Phil Parkinson, who called for the EFL to do more to protect him. Speaking at a press conference in January he said: "Occasionally the level of abuse goes too far and I'm not sure enough is done about it. People are quite quick to jump on the back of players for stepping out of line and referees are quick to give people yellow cards. "Then I think what are the EFL doing about the level of abuse Jimmy gets on a week to week basis and for me it's nowhere near enough. But unfortunately I don't think my words are going to be enough to change that." Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year. Sign up for Wrexham is the Game here Parkinson was speaking after objects were thrown at McClean during a 2-1 league defeat at Shrewsbury Town. The player later raised eyebrows with a fiery response on social media in which he labelled Shrewsbury as "an absolute cesspit full of inbreds." Despite expressing concerns that McClean's actions could come back to bite him, Tozer was full of praise for his old colleague's work ethic and down to earth nature. He added: "He is phenomenal as an athlete and what a mindset. He literally goes home and does two more gym sessions. He'll run 5km or 10km before training on the treadmill and do 10 or 12 rounds of boxing. Article continues below "Honestly, he's an absolute animal. As a lad, he couldn't have been any more different to what I expected when he signed. His family are lovely and they're all just normal people."
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shrewsbury will 'outperform budget'
Shrewsbury Town boss Michael Appleton says he is "very confident" his squad will "outperform" the club's budget for the coming season. Town are preparing for life back in League Two after last season's struggles when they finished bottom of the third tier and were relegated. Advertisement Appleton, 49, ended the campaign as Salop's third manager following the sacking of Paul Hurst in November and sudden departure of his replacement, Gareth Ainsworth, to Gillingham with nine games of the season to go. "I'm confident next season will be very different to last season," Appleton told BBC Radio Shropshire. "It's never the be all and end all to get off to a good start but it helps. "I think over 46 games, if we recruit the sort of players we want to bring in, we certainly won't be having the season we had last year." Appleton has overseen four new signings so far this summer with Wrexham centre-back Will Boyle joining fellow defenders Sam Stubbs and Tom Anderson and midfielder Sam Clucas at the club. Advertisement Relegation could potentially cost Shrewsbury £1m in lost commercial revenue, a further blow to the coffers following a loss of £1.6m for the last recorded financial year to June 2024. However, in that same period, the club's overall debt was halved from just over £3m in 2022-23. Whatever restrictions Appleton may have to work under, he is sure the future will be positive. "The only statement of expectation I'm comfortable saying is that we'll outperform our budget," he said. "That's something I've always done at every football club I've been at. "At the start of the season, whatever the budget is, I'm very, very confident we'll outperform it." Time to 'draw a line in the sand' Appleton won only one of his nine games in charge as Town went down, but signed a two-year deal as head coach ahead of the final match - a 2-1 home defeat by Crawley. Advertisement "It was a very short season for me personally last year and even though the break came at a good time because there had to be a re-set, I was just getting into it and I can't wait to get back at it," he said. "When I've had the majority of my success it's been because I've stayed at a club for a period of time and, without sounding too much like [former Tottenham head coach] Ange [Postecoglou] I've always been really strong in my second season when I've had a couple of transfer windows." Appleton says he wants to "draw a line in the sand" on last season and says this term, which starts with a home game against Barrow on 2 August, "will be different". He added: "It wasn't a great time for the club as there were a few things going on, off the pitch as well as on it, which was maybe a bit distracting. Advertisement "I don't want to give excuses and all I can ask is the fans to give us their support which I'm sure they will. "If we can start well, hopefully we'll get a couple of thousand more through the gate."
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's true colours with Wrexham star who broke down
Ben Tozer captained Wrexham to promotion from the National League in 2023, but his joy was short-lived after his father Keith died suddenly following the end of the season Ex-Wrexham star Ben Tozer has spoken candidly about the moment he was overcome with emotion and cried during a pre-match warm-up following his father's death. The former club captain valiantly led the Red Dragons to a momentous promotion from the National League in 2023. His proud dad Keith witnessed him hoist the trophy at the Racecourse Ground after a triumphant 3-1 victory over Boreham Wood in April. However, Keith tragically passed away suddenly from leukaemia just months later, leaving Tozer heartbroken Despite his profound grief, Tozer returned to training the very next day before soon embarking on Wrexham 's pre-season tour in the USA in July. During a warm-up before a friendly match against Chelsea in North Carolina, Tozer's sorrow surfaced as he wept openly. He has since opened up about that painful time, revealing the critical support he received from club physio Kevin Mulholland, as well as owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, and manager Phil Parkinson, that helped him begin to process his father's sudden passing. Discussing how he coped with his loss in a forthcoming episode of the Fearless in Devotion podcast, Tozer said: "My dad had just died, but I came back the next day after it happened, and just tried to be normal. I didn't want any sympathy whatsoever. "I probably should have gone down to the gaffer and said, 'Can you take me out of the firing line,' but I suppose a bit of pride kicks in. After it happened, I went straight to America, and we played against Chelsea. "I was crying when I was doing the warm-up. I'm thinking, 'Wow, this is raw.' We then played in Philadelphia on the last day before we came home, and I couldn't sleep the night before. "I was up all night, because we were away in America, and it was almost like I'd run away from it. I went down to breakfast, sat at the table and I was a bit quiet. I walked off as if I was going to the toilet. "But I went outside and I just completely broke down. Kev, the physio, saw me and had a little chat with me. The gaffer was great. He gave me four days off to go back to Plymouth so that I could see my grandma and uncle." Tozer praised the support network provided by his club, adding: "It's not just the gaffer, it's Humphrey [Ker], Ryan and Rob, they're all brilliant. They're all there if you need them. It's more the fact that they're open to me ringing them or texting them and saying how I feel." Despite battling personal loss, Tozer helped Wrexham secure another promotion from League Two during the 2023/24 season. However, he admitted that his father's passing made it difficult to fully enjoy football. Tozer said: "I wasn't right throughout the whole season. I was trying to fight it but it catches up with you. I was so honest with the gaffer and it's hard because it's true, but my flame for playing died when my dad died. "With the way that I play a game, I need to be fully focused, pumped up and completely at it. I was going out for games, and I was looking in the stand, looking for my dad and he wasn't there. "A bit of me died and it's quite sad, because my dad was there for my first ever game. He was the one who I played for more than I played for myself." Tozer was released by Wrexham when his contract expired in May 2024. He had a stint at Forest Green Rovers before announcing his retirement from football last month. Reflecting on his departure from Wrexham, Tozer said: "I felt like it wouldn't have been right, even if Wrexham offered me a contract then, for me to stay. I wanted to be the best version of myself. "I spoke to the gaffer afterwards and we had a good chat. It was right for both parties to separate and it's worked out for the best. I wish nothing but the best for the club." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Shrewsbury will 'outperform budget'
Shrewsbury Town boss Michael Appleton says he is "very confident" his squad will "outperform" the club's budget for the coming are preparing for life back in League Two after last season's struggles when they finished bottom of the third tier and were 49, ended the campaign as Salop's third manager following the sacking of Paul Hurst in November and sudden departure of his replacement, Gareth Ainsworth, to Gillingham with nine games of the season to go."I'm confident next season will be very different to last season," Appleton told BBC Radio Shropshire."It's never the be all and end all to get off to a good start but it helps. "I think over 46 games, if we recruit the sort of players we want to bring in, we certainly won't be having the season we had last year." Appleton has overseen four new signings so far this summer with Wrexham centre-back Will Boyle joining fellow defenders Sam Stubbs and Tom Anderson and midfielder Sam Clucas at the could potentially cost Shrewsbury £1m in lost commercial revenue, a further blow to the coffers following a loss of £1.6m for the last recorded financial year to June 2024. However, in that same period, the club's overall debt was halved from just over £3m in restrictions Appleton may have to work under, he is sure the future will be positive. "The only statement of expectation I'm comfortable saying is that we'll outperform our budget," he said."That's something I've always done at every football club I've been at."At the start of the season, whatever the budget is, I'm very, very confident we'll outperform it." Time to 'draw a line in the sand' Appleton won only one of his nine games in charge as Town went down, but signed a two-year deal as head coach ahead of the final match - a 2-1 home defeat by Crawley."It was a very short season for me personally last year and even though the break came at a good time because there had to be a re-set, I was just getting into it and I can't wait to get back at it," he said."When I've had the majority of my success it's been because I've stayed at a club for a period of time and, without sounding too much like [former Tottenham head coach] Ange [Postecoglou] I've always been really strong in my second season when I've had a couple of transfer windows."Appleton says he wants to "draw a line in the sand" on last season and says this term, which starts with a home game against Barrow on 2 August, "will be different".He added: "It wasn't a great time for the club as there were a few things going on, off the pitch as well as on it, which was maybe a bit distracting."I don't want to give excuses and all I can ask is the fans to give us their support which I'm sure they will."If we can start well, hopefully we'll get a couple of thousand more through the gate."
