Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney offer £250,000 promotion bonus to Wrexham players

Welsh club looking to progress from National League

Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have bought non-league Wrexham football club. Getty Images
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Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have announced a bonus of £250,000 to Wrexham players should the club win promotion from the National League this season.

Actors Reynolds and McElhenney completed their takeover of the Welsh club earlier this month and have quickly implemented a players' bonus scheme by reaching an agreement with captain Shaun Pearson on behalf of the squad.

Wrexham are currently seventh in the National League and occupy the final play-off position.

Executive director Humphrey Ker told the club's official website: "Rob and Ryan wanted to recognise the players' confidence that they can reach this season's play-offs and provide an added financial incentive to achieve this.

"There was no obligation to address this, but it felt like the right thing to do in order to support the existing playing squad who are all playing for their futures at the club.

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"With the transfer window shut, we all need to get behind this group of players and Rob and Ryan wanted to be at the forefront, demonstrating their support.

"We have talked already about next season and the recruitment of new players. The current players are in the best place to stake their own claim to be part of the club's journey.

"There won't be any contract discussions with the existing senior squad until the end of the season, which is another reason we thought it was right to put the incentive scheme in place for the current players."

Ker said players will receive £200 for each win and £50 for a draw, as long as Wrexham remain in a play-off position, while a £250,000 bonus pot would reward promotion.

Wrexham's new ownership believe the incentive scheme is the most generous ever offered since the Red Dragons' relegation from the English Football League in 2008.