Wrexham's celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds, right, and Rob McElhenney have reportedly invested more than £10 million in restructuring the club. PA
Wrexham's celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds, right, and Rob McElhenney have reportedly invested more than £10 million in restructuring the club. PA
Wrexham's celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds, right, and Rob McElhenney have reportedly invested more than £10 million in restructuring the club. PA
Wrexham's celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds, right, and Rob McElhenney have reportedly invested more than £10 million in restructuring the club. PA

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney give Wrexham transfer power to manager Parkinson


Marwa Hassan
  • English
  • Arabic

Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have confirmed that manager Phil Parkinson will take charge of the club's transfer plans as they prepare for their return to the English Football League.

The team recently celebrated their Vanarama National League title win, marking the end of a 15-year absence from the league.

Reynolds and McElhenney joined the post-match celebrations at the Racecourse Ground after the victory over Boreham Wood last month.

Wrexham is now preparing for a bus parade to celebrate their achievements and planning for life in Sky Bet League Two.

In an interview for S4C, McElhenney emphasised that they will defer to Parkinson's expertise when it comes to potential transfers.

“We are actively talking about that right now. I know for a fact he feels as though we have a very strong side,” McElhenney said.

He added that if Parkinson believes the team needs additional players, the celebrity owners will do their best to secure them.

Despite a tongue-in-cheek offer to sign former Wales captain Gareth Bale, Reynolds and McElhenney are committed to supporting Parkinson in making realistic decisions for the club's future.

  • Wrexham's Ollie Palmer with co-owner Ryan Reynolds, left, after a 3-2 win over Notts County pushed the Welsh club closer to promotion to a return to the fourth tier of English football. Reuters
    Wrexham's Ollie Palmer with co-owner Ryan Reynolds, left, after a 3-2 win over Notts County pushed the Welsh club closer to promotion to a return to the fourth tier of English football. Reuters
  • Ben Foster of Wrexham is congratulated by teammates after the final whistle after saving a 97th minute Notts County penalty in the Vanarama National League match at The Racecourse on April 10, 2023 in Wrexham, Wales. Wrexham won the game 3-2. Getty Images
    Ben Foster of Wrexham is congratulated by teammates after the final whistle after saving a 97th minute Notts County penalty in the Vanarama National League match at The Racecourse on April 10, 2023 in Wrexham, Wales. Wrexham won the game 3-2. Getty Images
  • Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds celebrates with Eoghan O'Connel. Reuters
    Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds celebrates with Eoghan O'Connel. Reuters
  • Wrexham's Elliot Lee celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Notts County. PA
    Wrexham's Elliot Lee celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Notts County. PA
  • Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds celebrates after winning the match with players. Reuters
    Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds celebrates after winning the match with players. Reuters
  • Ryan Reynolds, co-owner of Wrexham, interacts with fans during the Vanarama National League match between against Notts County at The Racecourse Ground. Getty Images
    Ryan Reynolds, co-owner of Wrexham, interacts with fans during the Vanarama National League match between against Notts County at The Racecourse Ground. Getty Images
  • Ryan Reynolds, co-owner of Wrexham interacts with fans. Getty Images
    Ryan Reynolds, co-owner of Wrexham interacts with fans. Getty Images
  • Wrexham's Elliot Lee and Notts County's Connell Rawlinson battle for the ball. PA
    Wrexham's Elliot Lee and Notts County's Connell Rawlinson battle for the ball. PA
  • Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds, centre right, and Rob McElhenney, centre left, react during the National League match between Wrexham against Notts County. PA via
    Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds, centre right, and Rob McElhenney, centre left, react during the National League match between Wrexham against Notts County. PA via
  • Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster gives his shirt to a fan after their side's victor. Getty Images
    Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster gives his shirt to a fan after their side's victor. Getty Images
  • A fan takes a photo with Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds before the match. Reuters
    A fan takes a photo with Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds before the match. Reuters
  • Wrexham's Elliot Lee and Notts County's Matt Palmer. PA
    Wrexham's Elliot Lee and Notts County's Matt Palmer. PA
  • A fan takes a photo with Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds before the match. Reuters
    A fan takes a photo with Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds before the match. Reuters
  • Wrexham's Elliot Lee scores their side's third goal. PA
    Wrexham's Elliot Lee scores their side's third goal. PA
  • Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Reuters
    Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Reuters
  • Paul Mullin of Wrexham celebrates their side's third goal. Getty Images
    Paul Mullin of Wrexham celebrates their side's third goal. Getty Images
  • A fan takes a photo with Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds before the match. Reuters
    A fan takes a photo with Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds before the match. Reuters

Bale has already declined the idea of coming out of retirement.

The celebrity owners have reportedly invested more than £10 million in restructuring the club, including significant improvements to infrastructure and the stadium.

McElhenney shared that their goal is to make the club sustainable and they are focused on the club's long-term future.

Reynolds echoed McElhenney's sentiments, saying: “At the end of the day, you can count on us to do whatever is in the best interest for the club and the community, but often the two of those are the same.”

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

What is a robo-adviser?

Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.

These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.

Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.

Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.

Tips for taking the metro

- set out well ahead of time

- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines

- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on

- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers

Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMay%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHusam%20Aboul%20Hosn%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDIFC%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%E2%80%94%20Innovation%20Hub%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EEmployees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeight%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-seed%20funding%20raised%20from%20family%20and%20friends%20earlier%20this%20year%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Stormy seas

Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.

We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice. 

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

The five pillars of Islam
Results

1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix - 3:45:47

2. David Dekker (NED) Jumbo-Visma - same time

3. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep   

4. Emils Liepins (LAT) Trek-Segafredo

5. Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis

6. Tadej Pogacar (SLO UAE Team Emirates

7. Anthony Roux (FRA) Groupama-FDJ

8. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:00:03

9. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep         

10. Fausto Masnada (ITA) Deceuninck-QuickStep

MATCH INFO

Leeds United 0

Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')

Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

Planes grounded by coronavirus

British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China 

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30

Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong

Ai Seoul:  Suspended all flights to China

Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March

Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February

South Korea's Asiana Airlines,  Jeju Air  and Jin Air: Suspend all flights

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Updated: May 02, 2023, 8:47 AM