In the English 3rd division, an unexpected derby will pit Tom Brady’s Birmingham City against Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham tomorrow.
The spotlight will unusually turn on Monday to the English third division and its “Hollywood derby” between Birmingham City of Tom Brady, American NFL legend, and Wrexham of Ryan Reynolds, movie star and co-owner of the Welsh club. Will the two stars be in the stands at St Andrew’s, on a Monday evening in mid-September? The visit of the leader of “League One” (English D3), Wrexham, is in any case a very commented game, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Actor and producer Ryan Reynolds, known for his role as the wacky superhero Deadpool, has co-owned the visiting club since 2020 with Rob McElhenney, another well-known face in Hollywood. Tom Brady, one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of American football, is a minority shareholder in Birmingham City.
“It’s the Hollywood derby! There’s so much glitz and glamour around it,” enthused Sky Sports commentator Don Goodman. “It’s bringing the world’s attention to the lower divisions of English football,” marvelled the former Sunderland striker. To add a bit of spice ahead of Monday’s clash, between two unbeaten teams this season, each side gently taunted the other on social media, with their “American” stars taking centre stage.
Success story à Wrexham
The recent momentum between the two clubs has clearly tilted in Wrexham’s favour, both in sporting terms and in the media. The surprise takeover by the Reynolds-McElhenney duo was the subject of a documentary series called ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ which has helped the previously unknown Welsh club gain international fame.
The “Red Dragons” have extended the success story on the pitch by moving from the semi-professional National League (fifth division) to League One (third division) with two consecutive promotions. Conversely, Birmingham has experienced the darkest period in its recent history since its acquisition in the summer of 2023 by the Knighthead group of the American Tom Wagner, a close friend of Brady. The seven-time Superbowl winner has brought more light than money to the “Blues”, eager to use “his extensive leadership experience and expertise in several areas”, including “health, nutrition, well-being and recovery”, as explained by the club at the time of his arrival.
The first season was a disaster, with casting errors and disastrous results. Coach John Eustace, beloved by supporters, was replaced in October 2023 by Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, with a flashier profile but dismissed after 83 disappointing days. In total, Birmingham saw six different managers in this chaotic campaign that ended in relegation to the third division, a first since 1995.
To get back on track and get closer to a Premier League they haven’t played in since 2010-11, the club has bet this summer on Chris Davies, former assistant coach to Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham. The 39-year-old manager has benefited from an exorbitant budget during the off-season, which has resulted in the recruitment of young striker Jay Stansfield from Fulham for a fee of over £15 million (less than €18 million), a record in League One.
