Big crowd tipped for the team bankrolled by Hollywood A-listers

Sydney has embraced the Wrexham football club fairytale and its connection to Hollywood glamour with a near sellout crowd expected for the Welsh side’s one-off appearance in the Harbour City.

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, co-owners of Wrexham AFC. Picture: Kya Banasko/Getty Images

Sydney has embraced the Wrexham football club fairytale and its connection to Hollywood glamour with a near sellout crowd expected for the Welsh side’s one-off appearance in the Harbour City on Tuesday night.

The miracle making underdogs of the English competition, who have won promotion three years in succession to be on the doorstep of the Premier League, take on Sydney FC in a friendly match set to draw an Allianz Stadium audience of around 38,000.

By comparison, the British and Irish Lions – the crème de la crème of four Rugby playing nations and touring Australia with an entourage of more than 30,000 travelling fans – drew only slightly more at 40,000 for their clash this month with the Waratahs.

Sydney FC defender Alexandar Popovic, Sydney FC coach Ufuk Talay, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson and Wrexham midfielder Matty James. Picture: Damian Shaw

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, between a training session and visit to Taronga Park Zoo on Monday, said some of his players “can’t quite believe they are representing Wrexham in Australia”.

“Where the club’s come from … there’ve been tough periods over the last 20 years … to imagine that we’d be touring Australia and having all these great experiences … sometimes you’ve got to pinch yourself,” he said.

Wrexham FC players Ryan Hardie, Ollie Palmer and Jack Marriott, at Taronga Zoo. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Wrexham FC players Callum Burton, Ollie Palmer and Ryan Hardie, at Taronga Zoo. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Striker Ryan Hardie, 28, is a new recruit to Wrexham. He started his career with Scottish club Rangers and scored the winner for Plymouth Argyle in their fourth round FA Cup win over Liverpool in February before heading to Wales.

The day his signing was announced, he received a video message from club co-owner and Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds. Another message followed, from Reynolds’ fellow Hollywood A-lister, Rob McElhenney.

Ryan Reynolds, co-owner of Wrexham, with striker Sam Smith after the club ensured promotion to the Championship for the coming season - just one step shy of the English Premier League. Picture: Getty Images

The pair have not only saved the club financially but driven the uber-successful Disney series Welcome to Wrexham which has made the club an unlikely global sporting phenomenon.

“They’re involved in this club as much as anyone,” Hardie said.

Bulldogs NRL coach Cameron Ciraldo was keen to be part of the Wrexham experience, attending the club’s session at Homebush yesterday to chat with Parkinson.

Bulldogs NRL coach Cameron Ciraldo (black shirt) meets Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson. Picture: Supplied

“It was interesting to speak to Cam about how he’s created his team and is coaching his team,” the Wrexham boss said. “There’s a lot of similarities in terms of mentality and team building, getting your squad right, the culture right … so much of that is transferable between the two sports.”

Reynolds and McElhenney will not be attending the Sydney FC game. But according to Parkinson they watched coverage of Wrexham’s 3-nil win over Melbourne Victory on Friday night, adding: “I’m sure they’ll be watching this one in Sydney as well”.

Originally published as Big crowd tipped for the team bankrolled by Hollywood A-listers