Page 15 - Ninnau Jan-Feb 2021

Hollywood stars put trailer firm sponsors front and centre in

hilarious Wrexham AFC takeover video

By Ceidiog Hughes and the club has the potential to “Ryan Reynolds and Rob
be even bigger because McElhenney have done their
A team of trailer makers who Wrexham is a proper football research on the club and on the
sponsor Wrexham AFC were town. area and the fan base is definite-
“blown away and humbled” by “I’ve been with Ifor Williams ly there.
the announcement about the now for 18 years and for your “The level they can go to is
takeover of the club by film place of work to sponsor the Championship minimum but
stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob club you support is fantastic. It hopefully we can reach the
McElhenney which kicked off makes me very proud. Premiership.”
as a hilarious spoof corporate “When I heard about Ryan It was a sentiment endorsed
video about the club. Reynolds being involved it by Kyle Jones, 31, who added:
Many of the staff who work seemed a bit far-fetched. All of “I’ve been a Wrexham fan since
at Ifor Williams Trailers are a sudden my partner wants to be I can remember. There’s been
diehard fans and were thrilled to a Wrexham fan.” lots of ups and downs but it’s in
see that the video has been Production support worker the blood. It’s the passion.
viewed 4.9 million time on Martin Bodden, 37, first It’s all very exciting. This
social media. watched Wrexham play when will give us the impetus to get
After a huge majority of fans he was taken to a match by his out of the National League and
voted in favour, the famous duo Ifor Williams Trailers staff (Front L/R) Rhys Davies, Cliff grandfather 30 years ago. then kick on.”
have been given the green light Lewis, Martin Bodden, Kyle Jones and Kevin Roberts who Martin Bodden, Production Line feeder Cliff Lewis, 59,
to buy the club from Wrexham are all Wrexham FC fans. Support, repair air tools and became a fan almost 50 years
Supporters Trust. inal way. It was just incredible. The firm, who became the work in the CNC place, 37, ago during the club’s glory days
The go-ahead followed a “But make no mistake, Ryan Wrexham’s main front of shirt Cynwyd. when legendary manager John
Zoom session when Deadpool and Rob are not taking their sponsors in 2016 when the He said: “I’ve seen some Neil led them to the old Second
star Reynolds and It’s Always responsibilities lightly. They are club’s prospects were less glam- good times down in Wembley Division, now the EFL
Sunny in Philadelphia’s utterly serious about revitalising orous, say they’re encouraged and the Millennium Stadium Championship.
McElhenney shared their vision the club and transforming it into by their pledge to continue with and some bad days as well but Cliff said: “Swansea made it
with members of the trust. a global force – but without for- the club’s community focus. let’s hope that the good days are to the Premiership and there’s
In announcing the result of getting its roots. Production operative Kevin back. no reason why we can’t do it.
the vote on Twitter, Ryan and “The reason Ifor Williams Roberts, 63, was among the “This is just what Wrexham We can dream of playing the
Rob made constant references Trailers felt that Wrexham was 22,000 fans who packed the needed. We’ve got the invest- likes of Manchester United,
to the products of the trailer the perfect fit was the club’s Racecourse when Wrexham ment now to go to the next Chelsea and Liverpool in a few
firm that’s been the Wrexham’s credentials as a grassroots, com- played Anderlecht in the Cup level. years’ time.”
main front of shirt sponsor since munity-focused and fan-centred Winners’ Cup during the
2016 and vowed to stick with club. We were delighted to hear 1975/76 season. Script of video
them when the coronavirus pan- that Ryan and Rob have pledged He said: “It was an incredible
demic struck. to reinforce the values, tradi- experience. They were great
They said in the video: Why tions and legacy of this commu- days and hopefully we’re going Rob: “Not sure what to get your special someone this holiday?”
are Rob and I pitching a North nity. to enjoy some more good times Ryan: “Tired of them opening the same old scarf or sweater? Try
Walian trailer manufacturer? “They have clearly grasped now. Ifor Williams Trailers.
“Well we just became owners the intense loyalty of the fans “There are a lot of Wrexham Rob: “Ifor Williams Trailers has been Britain’s leading trailer
of Wrexham Association and what the club means to fans who work here so there’s a manufacturer for over 60 years.
Football Club and they’re our them and how that love is terrific buzz about it.” Ryan: “Nothing says I’m thinking about you and your horse like
team sponsor. woven into the fabric of the Project manager Rhys Davies, Ifor Williams Trailers. Tilt bed, Beaver tail, tipper, horse box, live-
You may have never heard of town and the wider community. 40, has been a Wrexham fan all
Wrexham, the Racecourse “Ryan and Rob have certainly his life and was a match day stock. You name it.
ground or Ifor Williams...but got off on the right foot and the mascot for a home game against Rob: “So if you’re looking to really wow them this year.
you will. fans are right behind them, as Burnley when he was eight Ryan: “And you own livestock.
“So, to the Wrexham are we at Ifor Williams Trailers. years of age. Rob: “Visit.
Supporters’ Trust thank you for Like all the other fans we’re He said: “Things have Ryan: “Ifor Williams. Why are Rob and I pitching a North
your faith and trust in us. We dreaming of a happy Hollywood changed a lot since then because Walian trailer manufacturer?
are humbled and we are already ending.” we’re in the fifth tier National Rob: “Well we just became owners of Wrexham Association
getting to work. Holy s..t. This The football club is the third League while Burnley are in the
is really happening.” oldest on the planet and appro- Premier League. Football Club and they’re our team sponsor. You may have never
Ifor Williams Trailers director priately the Racecourse ground “The whole family are heard of Wrexham, the Racecourse ground or...
Carole Williams, who backed was the venue for the world’s Wrexham fans born and bred, Ryan: “Ifor Williams.
the sponsorship agreement with oldest surviving film of an inter- it’s in my blood I’m afraid. I Rob: “But you will. So, to the Wrexham Supporters’ Trust thank
Wrexham AFC, and has shown national match between Wales follow them through thick and you for your faith and trust in us.
solid and consistent and Ireland at Wrexham’s thin. Ryan: “We are humbled and we are already getting to work. This
support, was delighted by the Racecourse ground on April 2, “I think the last 12-13 years is really happening.”
result of the vote – and the way 1906. have been very difficult for
it was announced. The supporters who work for most fans and the club alike, but
She said: “We were totally Ifor Williams Trailers are still we have an incredible fan base
blown away and humbled by the pinching themselves about the
way the announcement was news that will see the club get- BUY ONE GET ONE FREE
made. Not unexpectedly, it was ting a £2 million cash injection
done in a funny and totally orig- by the sports-mad superstars. Masks to Support Welsh Society of Philadelphia Scholarship Fund

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January-February 2021 NINNAU Page 15