Wrexham striker Ollie Palmer has explained what key thing Ryan Reynolds did for him as he worked his way back from injury.
Ollie Palmer is facing a big season ahead as he aims to play a regular part in Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham plans in League One.
The 32-year-old – who signed for a club record £300,000 from AFC Wimbledon in January 2022 – scored eight goals in all competitions as Wrexham clinched promotion to League One.
Palmer was often partnered alongside goal machine Paul Mullin while sharing minutes with veteran striker Steven Fletcher.
Reflecting on what was a historic campaign for the club, as they sealed successive promotions for the first time in their history, Palmer reserved praise for Hollywood owner Ryan Reynolds, who helped him through a difficult part of his career.
What Ryan Reynolds did to help Wrexham striker Ollie Palmer
Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have completely changed the landscape of Wrexham and people’s views towards them.
The Hollywood duo regularly give to charity while their willingness to interact with fans on social media doesn’t go unnoticed.
McElhenney and Reynolds also have a very strong relationship with the players, which isn’t common in the modern game, but the pair regularly keep in contact.
When Mullin was injured previously, he said the owners were the first people to message him – ahead of his wife – and the same applies to Palmer.
When the experienced forward found himself on the sidelines, Reynolds offered words of encouragement. “Ryan was probably the first person to reach out to me to say, ‘Keep going, we need you out there,'” Palmer told the E! News. “And that means a lot because it’s easy to not reach out, it’s easy to not check in on people. And he did that.”
“But it’s the same with everyone, if someone gets injured, he’s the first person to contact them, same with Rob,” he noted. “It’s great to have owners that want to help you, want to add to your life and give you that encouragement and support.”
Ollie Palmer’s role at Wrexham in 2024/25
Palmer is entering the final year of his Wrexham contract and the former Crawley Town striker will be desperate to impress in League One.
Luckily, his chances of featuring from the start are heightened by Mullin’s injury – who is set to miss the first couple of games – but the Englishman still has to showcase his worth.
Palmer was an effective presence alongside Mullin and their win rate together is well-documented but it will be interesting to see how he does without the Liverpudlian and whether he gets the nod for the opening game.
Last season, he shared game time with Fletcher but with Wrexham looking at John McAtee from Luton Town, it appears they are planning for a future without the veteran duo.
McAtee would add firepower to the Reds’ forward line, after scoring 15 for Barnsley last term, while his arrival would leave Palmer fighting for a place in the side.
Right now, though, it’s looking promising for him to start the season and who knows, he may throw up a few surprises in League One.