CNN
—
As the saying goes, it’s hope that kills you as a football fan – just ask Ryan Reynolds.
The Hollywood actor experienced the full spectrum of emotions on Sunday as he watched Wrexham – the club Reynolds co-owns with Rob McElhenney – draw 3-3 against Sheffield United in a thrilling FA Cup match.
Reynolds traveled to the North Wales non-league club to watch his team play in the fourth round of the historic competition.
The FA Cup is a tournament that pits teams from all levels of the football pyramid against each other, often producing improbable results.
Excited to write another chapter in the history books, Reynolds interacted with fans leading up to the match which was broadcast live in the US on ESPN.
Then, joined by nearly 10,000 fans at the Racecourse Ground, the 46-year-old actor was at the mercy of a roller coaster ride that saw Wrexham claim a famous win in no time.
The game started badly for Wrexham, as the Welsh team went behind within the first two minutes.
But inspired by an incredible atmosphere in the stadium, Wrexham fought back in the second half to take a 2-1 lead.
The roar that greeted Wrexham’s goals was a testament to the culture that the club’s new owner has helped establish since taking over, when fans began to believe in a footballing miracle taking place under the spotlight.
Reynolds seemed to have lost all sense of composure and hugged friends and family before celebrating with the fans around him.
But, as any football fan will tell you, the sport can be brutal and there were more twists and turns to come.
Sheffield United, who are strong contenders for promotion to the Premier League next season, equalized shortly after Wrexham took charge, but then suffered a blow when Daniel Jebbison was sent off after an off-the-ball incident.
With his extra-man advantage, Wrexham looked top and the underdog had seemingly progressed to the fifth round after the team’s star striker Paul Mullin made it 3-2 in the 86th minute.
Reynolds greeted Mullin’s goal with wild celebrations, but this was a denouement game straight out of a Hollywood script.
With one of the last kicks of the game, Sheffield United equalized through John Egan, denying Wrexham a memorable win – at least for now.
“That was one of the most exciting things I’ve EVER seen,” Reynolds continued Twitter after the match.
“Thank you to every Wrexham supporter who came out tonight and put your heart on that pitch.”
The replay will take place on February 7 at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane, with the winner set to face Tottenham in the next round.
McElhenney and Reynolds made headlines as they completed their takeover of the club in 2021, with ambitions to take the Wales side to the Premier League.
At the time of the takeover, Wrexham had languished outside the top four divisions of English football, known as the Football League, for over a decade.
The pair have already released a TV series – “Welcome to Wrexham” – documenting their time at the club as it emerges from obscurity and results on the pitch have also improved as the owners continue to invest in the side.
The team currently leads the National League and, if promoted, will play in League Two of English football next season.
Then get three more promotions and Wrexham play in the Premier League.
Wrexham is one of several Welsh clubs playing in the English football league system having been founded before the establishment of the Welsh Football League.
It’s still a long way to go, but the Hollywood couple seem to be staying content. The team’s FA Cup performance so far this season certainly points to a successful future.
‘We’re here now. We’re not going anywhere but up,’ McElhenney tweeted after the game on Sunday.