Ex-Premier League ace opens up on Ryan Reynolds video messages after Wrexham transfer call

Former Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher has reflected positively on his time at Wrexham, despite being released earlier this summer, revealing his close bond with Ryan Reynolds

A former Premier League star has opened up about the close relationship he enjoyed with Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham. Steven Fletcher was released by the Red Dragons this summer after being involved in two consecutive promotions from League Two and League One since joining the club in the summer of 2023.

The ex-Scotland striker played a key role as a super-sub for Wrexham, owned by Reynolds and fellow actor Rob Mac, as they finished second in the third tier last term. Fletcher scored eight goals in 43 appearances, including several crucial late winners, with all but two of those outings coming off the bench.

However, the 38-year-old was let go by manager Phil Parkinson as he started his preparations for life in the Championship. Fletcher later made it clear he had wanted to stay for at least another season.

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Posting on social media after the decision was announced in May, he said he was departing “with a heavy heart” and “not by choice”. Despite Fletcher’s disappointment, he has spoken glowingly about his time at Wrexham, praising the club’s Hollywood owners for their approachable nature.

He also revealed how he would often receive video messages from Reynolds on WhatsApp after matches.

Speaking on William Hill’s The Warm-Up podcast, he said: “They’re there all the time and if they’re not there [in person], they’re on the phone to you constantly. They’ll phone you or they’ll send you a video. If I go through my WhatsApp with Ryan Reynolds, honestly, it’s just video after video.

“I went through a little patch last season where I kept coming on with 20 minutes to go. It was three games in a row where I scored the winner. I’d get in the changing room and go on my phone straight away. The first message wasn’t from my wife – it was him straight away.

“I think why Ryan liked me is because when he came into the changing rooms, quite a lot of boys were like, ‘Oh, there’s Ryan, how are you doing?’ I would just shout across the room, ‘Alright big man?'”

Reynolds was evidently gutted to say goodbye to Fletcher after sharing a tribute to him on social media after the news broke. In his post, he praised the player’s “leadership and wit”.

Addressing Fletcher directly, Reynolds wrote: “Words aren’t agile enough to capture what you’ve brought to Wrexham, the sport, and the lives of myself and this whole town.

“You aren’t a PART of greatness. You ARE greatness. I don’t really know what a co-chairmen is supposed to do or say in these moments and I don’t much care. I’m gonna miss you.

“I’ll miss your your leadership and wit and the way you remind everyone – including me – that this is also FUN. Like the first day we met, I’m here for you any time and any place. Always.”

Fletcher has since admitted he is “95 per cent sure” that his football career is over. He said his plans to retire come despite some of his old teammates encouraging him to keep going.

While he might have left Wrexham against his own wishes, Fletcher appears to harbour no animosity towards the club. He didn’t have to wait long to be reunited with Reynolds either following the start of his old team’s Championship campaign.

Fletcher was seen smiling and chatting with the movie star on the pitch after appearing as a pundit for ITV for Wrexham’s first home game of the season against West Brom. He watched on as Parkinson’s side were beaten 3-2 by the Baggies in what’s a been a difficult start to their time in the second tier, registering just one point from their opening three matches.

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