Wrexham FC’s Ryan Reynolds splashes cash on Welsh indie band in bid to make them global stars
THEY helped turn Welsh football club Wrexham FC into a global success – and now Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are hoping to give the same boost to their favourite local folk band.
Locals revealed how The Declan Swans came to the attention of the Hollywood stars after they wrote a number of songs – including Always Sunny In Wrexham, a nod to Rob’s hit TV show Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
To help them hit the big time, Ryan and Rob put on an all-expenses paid trip to the US for the group, made up of Michael Hett, Mark Jones and Brian Jones, to put them on course.
A source said: “Last month Ryan and Rob flew the band out to Philadelphia to help them make a name for themselves over there.
“They footed the bill for the entire trip and invited Wayne Jones, the landlord of Wrexham’s Turf pub, along for the ride.
“The Declan Swans performed at Rob’s pub and had punters going mad for their tunes.
“It was a big boozy night and they went down like a storm, just like Ryan and Rob imagined.
“As well as having one massive party while they were there, the band and Wayne filmed for the second series of Welcome To Wrexham.
“Ryan and Rob want to give back as much as they can to the people of Wrexham for everything they have done for them – and if that means helping to make The Declan Swans big stars, they’re all for it.”
As The Sun revealed on Friday, A-list actor Hugh Jackman headed down to the ground on Saturday to watch the team’s first home game.
And while the result wasn’t what anyone would have wanted, with MK Dons thrashing Wrexham 4-1, I was told the atmosphere was electric.
Deadpool star Ryan shared a selfie with Hugh from the game and told his followers: “Big thanks to Hugh Jackman for stepping in as ‘Admiral Vice Football Operations Ombudsman’ but I just found out you made that f***ing title up.”