Wrexham have had a tendency to grab the spotlight in recent years, and they’re on everyone’s mind once more after their latest promo with Channing Tatum.
Naturally, since the takeover by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Red Dragons have enjoyed the benefits of many Hollywood connections.
Wrexham now has many famous fans, including Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, and Hugh Jackman. The latest big name to rub shoulders with the Wrexham players, though, was Channing Tatum, who was in Wales at the end of last year.
And now, we know why, after a Super Bowl advert for Stok Cold Brew Coffee was revealed starring Tatum and a bunch of the Wrexham stars.
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Channing Tatum was wary of intruding on Wrexham’s vibe
Speaking to The Athletic in the wake of shooting the advert, Tatum explained why he was so nervous to be in the Wrexham dressing room, but added how the players soon made him feel welcome.
“I was able to go and hang out with the guys the night before filming,” he said. “I went to the game and then it was Elliot Lee’s birthday the night after. We all just hung out. Such a good time.”
“I was still nervous,” he added. “I knew I was going to have to make a fool out of myself the next day in front of them. It could have gone one of two ways. They could have been, ‘Who is this dumb American actor, coming in here and doing whatever?’ This is their job. They work hard at what they do. They are having an incredible season. I didn’t know what the vibe was going to be. But they were just so sweet.”
Thankfully, a little slapstick comedy and unfortunate injuries helped break the ice for Tatum on the day, even if Steven Fletcher’s incredible acting made him feel like they were sworn enemies for a moment.
He said: “I face-planted off the table. I remember getting there and they showed me the table. I’m, like, ‘This isn’t a table — how am I supposed to do anything on this thing?’ Sure enough, I fell off. I was, like, ‘Oh my God!’ Everyone was crying with laughter.
“They were actually all pretty incredible at keeping a poker face,” he said. “So good, actually, that I had to ask, ‘You guys still like me, right?'”
Wrexham’s journey just keeps getting more strange
It’s hard to believe just how much Wrexham AFC has changed in the years since the new owners stepped in. From National League obscurity, to challenging for promotion in League One, and having a massive fanbase in North America, the club has grown wildly in the last four-and-a-bit years.
The whole venture has led to massive commercial growth for Wrexham, both as a club and within the community, and it’s been brilliant to watch.
While there are some that will criticise the media circus around the club, and there are more than a few that have slammed Wrexham for ‘buying’ success, there’s no denying the entertainment value. Plus, if any club deserved the change in fortunes, it was Wrexham.
All of these adverts and collaborations and famous friends are fun, but they also help to secure the long-term future of the football club, too. Now, we just need to see Wrexham get promoted, and hope that Rob and Ryan splash the cash to keep them in the Championship.