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Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wrexham star comes clean on dressing room's brutal treatment of Hugh Jackman
Wrexham star comes clean on dressing room's brutal treatment of Hugh Jackman Hugh Jackman is one of many A-list celebrities to have visited Wrexham since the club was bought by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, but it didn't go down well with the players Hugh Jackman's visit to Wrexham with Ryan Reynolds didn't go to plan (Image:) A former Wrexham captain has revealed how Hollywood heavyweight Hugh Jackman faced a surprisingly cool response from players after a visit to the team's changing room. The Welsh club has become a magnet for star visits ever since actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over in February 2021. The Racecourse Ground has welcomed many celebrities from Tinseltown, with appearances from Eva Longoria, Channing Tatum and Paul Rudd. Comedy legend Will Ferrell also raised some laughs when he greeted the squad in February 2023. However, ex-Red Dragons skipper Ben Tozer has now shared how an encounter with Jackman received a less warm reception. Jackman, who featured alongside Reynolds in last year's Deadpool and Wolverine movie, was present in August 2023 hoping to see Wrexham triumph in their first match back in the EFL for 15 years. Despite the hype around the season opener in League Two, Phil Parkinson's team were beaten 5-3 at home by MK Dons. Following the disappointing result, the players weren't particularly sociable as Jackman ventured into the dressing room. Tozer, who recently hung up his boots, spoke about some of the star-studded visits while talking to Sky Sports Radio. He said: "The one where I had to pinch myself was when Will Ferrell walked in the dressing room before a game. I was like, 'I have to shake and bake with that guy,' because of Talladega Nights. Former Wrexham captain Ben Tozer admitted Jackman didn't get the warmest reception from the players (Image: Matt Lewis - The FA via Getty Images ) "But unfortunately, when Hugh Jackman came into the dressing room, he got the cold shoulder because we'd lost the game. He walked in and no one was bothered. Everyone was just a bit like, 'Can you get out please? We don't want anyone in here.'" Jackman, who is a self-proclaimed fan of the club, posted a heartfelt tribute to Wrexham on Instagram in July 2023. He said: "You don't even have to like @vancityreynolds. @wrexham_afc @wrexhamfx is the people, the town, the heart, the show that is balm for the soul." In the past, Jackman spoke of how he was inspired by Reynolds' acquisition of Wrexham and was nearly convinced to buy a football club himself. Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ 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. During an interview on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Jackman said: "I will admit to you that when Ryan [Reynolds] bought that team, I did get more than one offer from rivals of that team for £1 to come in as a co-owner and it did seriously tempt me." He then jokingly added: "This whole thing of outsiders coming in and buying football teams, it feels a little, I don't know, easy. I have decided to go one step further, I am actually going to try out for the team." Article continues below Although Jackman resisted the temptation to buy a football club, he and Reynolds recently joined forces in a different sporting venture, acquiring the BONDS Flying Roos sailing team in June. The Australian outfit competes in the international SailGP contest, which has also garnered attention from other celebrity backers, such as Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe and actress Anne Hathaway. In a joint statement, Reynolds and Jackman said: "We're incredibly excited to set sail together in this new adventure. Hugh brings a deep love for and pride in his home country as well as being an avid fan of sailing. He will also be bringing his overly clingy emotional support human along for the ride. Apologies in advance to Australia."
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Wrexham dressing room's ice-cold reaction to Hugh Jackman as star speaks out
Hugh Jackman was snubbed by Wrexham players when visiting them after a game in 2023, despite other stars like Will Ferrell getting warm welcomes in the dressing room A former Wrexham captain has lifted the lid on how Hollywood A-lister Hugh Jackman was snubbed by players during a visit to the team's changing room. A whole host of celebrities have dropped in to watch the Welsh outfit in action since the club was bought by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in February 2021. Famous faces seen at the Racecourse Ground have included Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, Magic Mike actor Channing Tatum and Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. Will Ferrell also delighted the Wrexham squad by stopping off to say hello to them in February 2023. However, ex-Red Dragons skipper Ben Tozer has now revealed how Jackman was met with a much frostier reception later that year. Reynolds' Deadpool and Wolverine co-star was in town in August 2023 to take in Wrexham's first EFL game in 15 years. The club's opening match of the season in League Two was eagerly anticipated, but ended in disappointment as Phil Parkinson 's side suffered a 5-3 home defeat to MK Dons. And the Wrexham players were in no mood to talk when Jackman called in to the dressing room after the game to offer his condolences. Tozer, who recently announced his retirement from football, discussed rubbing shoulders with the stars during an appearance on Sky Sports Radio. "The one where I had to pinch myself was when Will Ferrell walked in the dressing room before a game," he said. "I was like, 'I have to shake and bake with that guy,' because of Talladega Nights. "But unfortunately, when Hugh Jackman came into the dressing room, he got the cold shoulder because we'd lost the game. He walked in and no one was bothered. Everyone was just a bit like, 'Can you get out please? We don't want anyone in here.'" Jackman has previously opened up on his love for Wrexham and the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, which charts the club's journey under the ownership of Reynolds and McElhenney. Posting on Instagram in July 2023, the Australian said: "You don't even have to like @vancityreynolds. @wrexham_afc @wrexhamfx is the people, the town, the heart, the show that is balm for the soul." He also once revealed how their ownership of Wrexham nearly led him to buy a football club. "I will admit to you that when Ryan [Reynolds] bought that team, I did get more than one offer from rivals of that team for £1 to come in as a co-owner and it did seriously tempt me," Jackman said while appearing on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show. "This whole thing of outsiders coming in and buying football teams, it feels a little, I don't know, easy. I have decided to go one step further, I am actually going to try out for the team." While Jackman ultimately resisted following Reynolds into becoming the owner of a football club, the pair recently announced that they had entered a different sporting venture together. The two actors were confirmed in June as the new owners of the BONDS Flying Roos sailing team. The Australian team competes in the international SailGP competition, which has also attracted several other high-profile investors, including Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe and American actress Anne Hathaway. In a joint statement, Reynolds and Jackman said: "We're incredibly excited to set sail together in this new adventure. Hugh brings a deep love for and pride in his home country as well as being an avid fan of sailing. "He will also be bringing his overly clingy emotional support human along for the ride. Apologies in advance to Australia." 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.
Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ryan Reynolds urged to splash out on bumper deal to £3.5m Premier League star
Wrexham's Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are being encouraged to bolster their squad with a Premier League talent after securing a third consecutive promotion Wrexham's owners have been urged to splash their Hollywood cash on a £3.5million-rated Premier League star this summer. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are currently celebrating after their club achieved a third successive promotion in April, lifting them from League One into the Championship. The two actors have been tipped to spend big during the transfer window as they look to provide manager Phil Parkinson with the backing to improve his squad. Wrexham have already been linked with several top flight stars, including Leicester's Jamie Vardy and West Ham duo Aaron Cresswell and Danny Ings. The North Wales team are now being encouraged to make a bid for Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien, who impressed on loan at Swansea City in the second tier during the latter half of last season. The Swans are said to be interested in signing the 28-year-old permanently after he started 16 games for the club after arriving in January. However, O'Brien still has one year left on his contract and finances are said to be a major barrier preventing him from joining. Wrexham have also been the subject of reports connecting them with a move for O'Brien, and ex-Red Dragons and Swansea ace Lee Trundle thinks he would make a big impact at the Racecourse Ground. Speaking on the Fearless in Devotion podcast, he said: "Lewis wants to play further up the field and go and drive at players and make things happen. I think he would be a great addition. The only thing I would say about Lewis is he's still contracted to Forest, and he would be on a very good contract. "It's whether the wages could get matched, because I know that was a stumbling point at Swansea. That's the other problem when you move into the Championship, because we're not only talking about the quality of the players, but the wages as well. "It is a big chance to take on people if you give them a three year contract on so much [money]. That can also hurt you in a way, but I don't think the owners think like that. I do think that they just look forward and everything that they've said, they've been true to their word." Next season will mark the first time Wrexham have played in the second tier for 43 years. Some pundits have expressed scepticism over whether they will be able to push for an unprecedented fourth successive promotion. But Trundle said he would not rule out the possibility of Wrexham reaching the Premier League, despite cautioning them over the difficulty of competing in the Championship. He also called on the club's fans to stay united if results don't go their way initially. "I don't think it's unrealistic to think that way [about promotion], Trundle said. "I went to a Bristol City side which had just been promoted out of League One, and we ended up getting to the Championship play-off final that year, where we got beaten by Hull. "I wouldn't say it's out of reach, especially with the way Wrexham are doing as well. When you're used to winning and you've got a winning mentality, I think that goes a long way. But I would say that there could be some heavy defeats and you're not going to get everything the same way that you've had it for the last couple of years." He added: "The most important thing now is for the fans to realise how far the club has come in that short space of time, and all stick together. You're going to need to strengthen going into the Championship. But I think fans around British football would love to be a Wrexham fan and in the position that the club is in." 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.
