The ‘Hollywood Derby’ between Wrexham and Birmingham City is set to play out for the second time this season on Thursday.
Birmingham City, owned by NFL legend Tom Brady, are competing with the Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds-owned Wrexham at the top end of League One this term.
Brady’s team have been able to spend a lot more on players in the last year, coughing up a staggering £20m for just one star over the summer.
Meanwhile, the Red Dragons’ all-time record transfer fee of £590,000 pales in comparison to the Midlands outfit.
Despite this, Wrexham are more than holding their own in the race for automatic promotion.
However, should they lose to Birmingham on Thursday, they could drop down to fourth place come the weekend.
What Birmingham City’s Tom Brady said about Wrexham fans
The two League One giants first faced off at St Andrew’s on September 16th, 2024.
Wrexham lost 3-1 to Birmingham on that occasion, though the result was overshadowed slightly by the off-the-field antics of their owners.
Prior to that meeting, the Welsh side gave former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning – a rival of Brady’s during his NFL career – some Wrexham home shirts.
Brady sent a message to McElhenney in response to the playful joke, in which he wanted the Always Sunny star to ‘educate the Wrexham fans’.
He said: “So I’ve been working on a little response video to Eli and I’m looking around the house, but I can’t find the other six of these,” joked Brady.
“Rob, can you just educate the Wrexham fans just a little bit on the history of the NFL? Thanks bud, appreciate you, see you Monday.”
- READ MORE: Phil Parkinson could stun Wrexham fans later today by axing ‘quality’ player vs Birmingham City
Ryan Reynolds on Tom Brady ahead of Wrexham vs Birmingham City
While the good-natured jibes were largely between McElhenney and Brady last time out, Wrexham co-owner Reynolds has now gotten involved.
The actor recently conducted an interview, during which Reynolds revealed the reason he doesn’t like Brady.
He said: “But I hate that they’re [Brady and David Beckham] both kind people in real life by the way.
“So yeah, there is definitely a lot of anticipation. Would I love to be Tom Brady at sports? Yes, the answer is yes, an emphatic yes. Would Rob? Maybe more, I think more.”
Another joke of course, but it’ll be interesting to see if the duo exchange words after tonight’s match.