Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney — along with the FX documentary series Welcome to Wrexham — put the fifth-tier, non-EFL National League on the global stage the past couple years with their purchase of Wrexham AFC.
And while the docu-series’ first season was an excellent start to the journey, the second season is going to be even wilder mainly thanks to the non-scripted drama of Wrexham’s matches. Hopefully, the show also gives credit to another remarkable story playing out in the National League. Reynolds himself has taken notice.
With just four matches remaining, Wrexham and Notts County are both in an astounding battle for the lone automatic promotion spot to the EFL’s League Two. The second-place team has to go through a grueling play-off for the second spot, so Monday’s match between Wrexham and Notts County was seen as a season-defining game.
The game itself had all the drama you’d hope for in a TV series. Wrexham fell behind just before half and responded by scoring two straight goals to take the lead. The two sides, again, went back and forth until Wrexham took the lead for the second time in the 78th minute.
Paul Mullin tees up Elliot Lee to put @Wrexham_AFC back in control of a match for the ages against @Official_NCFC 🤯 pic.twitter.com/8LHHAYTgtq
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 10, 2023
Then, deep into stoppage time, Notts County had a penalty saved by veteran Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster (who came out of retirement to join Wrexham). It preserved Wrexham’s 3-2 win, giving Wrexham a three-point lead in the table with a game in hand on Notts County.
SCENES 😳@Wrexham_AFC's Ben Foster comes up BIG to save @Official_NCFC's last-minute penalty 🦸♂️ pic.twitter.com/n4ZBSMCrF5
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 10, 2023
Now, the series could easily frame Notts County as the villain in Wrexham’s journey for promotion. But in the post-match interview, Reynolds took a different approach. He gave Notts County high praise for their historic season and advocated for a second automatic promotion spot.
"That was unlike anything I've ever seen before!!" 🔥
Ryan Reynolds reacts to the unbelievable scenes in the National League today after Wrexham beat Notts County!
🎙️ @Becky_Ives_ pic.twitter.com/h63YTHaZOP
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 10, 2023
Seriously, that’s all class from Reynolds.
Fans also appreciated the respect that Reynolds showed there.
This was how Twitter reacted
Very hard not to root for Wrexham, this is why. Both them and Notts County should go up this season. https://t.co/ikSDCQdGl7
— Harry (@harryoliver07) April 10, 2023
Credit to @VancityReynolds for fully acknowledging Notts' contribution to this titanic battle at the top of the National League.@Official_NCFC #Notts #nottscounty #COYP https://t.co/icjLgiardL
— Chris Jordan (@chriswjordan) April 10, 2023
I can’t understand for the life of me why people seem to hate these guys for buying a football club and investing millions into it. What a lovely interview and a lovely guy https://t.co/hjnzj1Nfla
— James (@_jwynny) April 10, 2023
Unreal really. Deadpool talking about Wrexham and Notts County the way he is https://t.co/e4y4wyoTtO
— David Ash (@David_9_Ash) April 10, 2023
This is how you do it. Classy 👏 https://t.co/Sy8VvLctNS
— 🏴🇪🇺 Dylan Thomas 🇪🇺🏴 (@dylanthomas91) April 10, 2023
Gotta say he’s one of good guys this lad
Such a good interview and for him to speak so highly of notts county hats gotta him big kudos
Fair play https://t.co/KB752qM8C3
— chris (@willowlufc) April 10, 2023
Class interview tbf https://t.co/ypGZKXVYcr
— James Francis (@JHF02) April 10, 2023
People can say what they want about him and how Wrexham have got to where they are ect but this is a damn classy interview speaks so well about Notts County and he’s spot on the fact only 1 goes up is criminal 2 outstanding teams one may still not go up !! https://t.co/KIzwig4aU8
— Nathan Tansley (@NathanRef96) April 10, 2023
The most likeable guy in the sport right now. https://t.co/hMChMEq9Yb
— Brad Cox (@BradJCox_) April 10, 2023
Well said. That’s how it should be done.
