Ryan Reynolds knows a lot of people on Hollywood, and he’s just compared fellow A-lister Samuel L. Jackson to one of his players at Wrexham.
Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds gave an interview on the popular Wrexham AFC podcast Fearless In Devotion on Wednesday.
It’s rare for a chairman to speak on such a podcast and it’s made even more unlikely because of who Reynolds is; the Hollywood A-lister and now football club owner in the English Football League.
But he showed his devotion to the club and his eagerness to connect with the fans, giving an entertaining and eye-opening interview following Wrexham’s promotion to the Championship.
Phil Parkinson guided the club to a 2nd place finish in League One and finished the campaign with a 2-0 win away at Lincoln City, capping another incredible campaign as the Dragons secured a third-straight promotion.
Ryan Reynolds says James McClean is one of his favourite Wrexham players to watch
One player who played a key role in the 2024/25 season and in the run-in for Wrexham is James McClean. The veteran Irishman featured 42 times in League One, scoring four goals and assisting seven more and putting in some heroic performances along the way.
Speaking on Fearless In Devotion, Reynolds said that McClean is one of his favourite Wrexham players to watch, even comparing his personality to that of Samuel L. Jackson, saying: “There is a burning, fearsome, 5000 kelvin oven inside that guy that is remarkable, and one of my favourite players to watch… I grew up as the youngest of four boys, right, I have a people pleasing gene in me somewhere. I always love the guys that don’t have that.
“I gravitate towards grumpy people… Samuel L. Jackson can be a grumpy person and he’s one of my favourite human beings on planet earth because of it. I love it. James has a bit of that.”
James McClean says just how much he loves playing for Wrexham
Like Reynolds says McClean might not always show how much he loves the club or loves representing Wrexham. But after promotion was secured he was there celebrating among the fans, expressing his love for the club.
McClean said about playing for Wrexham: “It’s easy to say now, but it’s true: this is the most enjoyable time of my career. I’ve been honoured to play 150-odd Premier League games and 103 international caps but it’s about winning things and enjoying winning things being remembered – and that’s what I’m doing here, and I’m loving every minute of it.”
Now 36 years old and out of contract in 2026, next season might well be his last season at the Racecourse, especially if Wrexham stabilise in the Championship or even more. But he’ll play a key role next season nonetheless.