Hollywood star and Wrexham AFC co-owner Ryan Reynolds took on the role of chief motivator for his team ahead of their high-stakes FA Cup encounter. The actor was captured on camera delivering a passionate rallying cry to players just moments before they faced Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
Pitchside Passion from a Hollywood Owner
In footage broadcast by TNT Sports on Friday 09 January 2026, Reynolds was seen fully immersed in the pre-match atmosphere. The Deadpool star first took time to engage with the club's loyal supporters, signing autographs for fans gathered at the Racecourse Ground. His focus then shifted squarely to the task at hand, as he turned to the team with enthusiastic clapping and the fired-up exhortation: “Come on, let’s go.”
This FA Cup fixture represented a classic cup tie, with Wrexham of the Championship hosting top-flight Nottingham Forest, who have found the current Premier League season challenging. The match marked a significant moment, being the first competitive meeting between the two clubs since way back in 1993.
Drawing Inspiration from Past Glories
In the build-up to the match, manager Phil Parkinson employed a clever psychological tactic to inspire his squad. Midfielder George Dobson revealed that the coaching staff showed the players highlights from Wrexham's illustrious FA Cup history, a legacy that includes famous giant-killing acts.
“It gave me goosebumps to see that what’s been created before,” Dobson admitted. “It makes you feel you’ve got that opportunity to create that history for yourself.” This deliberate look back at the club's cup pedigree was designed to forge a tangible link between past heroes and the current team, empowering them to believe they could produce another memorable cup upset.
The Weight of History and Future Ambition
The scene perfectly encapsulated the modern reality of Wrexham AFC: a club steeped in rich tradition now propelled by Hollywood-star ownership and global attention. Reynolds' hands-on involvement goes far beyond a financial investment; it showcases a genuine, emotional commitment to the club's journey.
For the players, the combination of a celebrity owner's direct encouragement and a manager connecting them to the club's fabled past created a powerful motivational cocktail. It underscored the unique opportunity before them—not just to win a football match, but to inscribe their own names into the ongoing story of a club that has captured the imagination of fans worldwide.
