Hollywood superstar and Wrexham FC owner Ryan Reynolds has stepped in to get a club legend struggling with dementia to Wembley for one of the side’s biggest days.
Gareth Davies made almost 500 appearances between 1967 and 1983, cementing himself in club folklore at the Racecourse ground.
The defender captained one of Wrexham’s most successful teams when they won Division Three in 1978 and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and League Cup.
Sadly the 72-year-old legend’s health has declined, and he is now living in a care home.
Wrexham face Bromley in the FA Trophy final on May 22 at Wembley.
Martin Evans, whose wife used to take care of Davies, launched #GarethIsGoingToWembley bid.
The campaign gathered momentum online before Deadpool star Reynolds, who co-owns the club with fellow star Robert McElhenney, responded.
The star said in a tweet: “Rob and I will make sure Gareth makes it to Wembley in comfort. He showed up for Wrexham AFC and we’ll show up for him.”
The former captain, who also won three caps for Wales, was in tears when daughter Kate broke the news to him in the Bay Tree House care home, the family said.
In a filmed clip, Kate tells him: “They all want you to go as guest of honour at Wembley. Everybody wants you to go.”
Gareth asks why, to which Kate replies: “Because you’re a legend – a Wrexham legend.”
The Wrexham AFC fanzine and podcast Fearless In Devotion tweeted: “An undoubted hero who helped write the most glorious chapter in the club’s history. What a guy and what a day awaits him.”
Football giant George Best turned out alongside Davies for his testimonial match in November 1979 against Wolves.
An iconic picture shows them with club legends Mickey Thomas, Billy Ashcroft and Bobby Shinton.
