Tom Brady issues urgent Birmingham City demand as Wrexham set to surpass them

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham have been busy in the transfer market this summer, and Birmingham City investor Tom Brady seems worried about being left behind in the Championship

Birmingham City investor Tom Brady has urged his club to match the financial muscle of Wrexham’s Hollywood owners. The Blues edged out the Welsh side, owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, to win the League One title last season.

However, Wrexham have been very active in the transfer market this summer after they were also promoted from the second tier thanks to second-place finish. Manager Phil Parkinson has so far brought in six new players after splashing out an estimated sum of just under £11million on transfer fees.

That figure could soon grow to in excess of £18m as the Red Dragons are reportedly set to sign Wales forward Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich for a club-record £7.5m. Birmingham have been no slouches themselves, having already recruited eight new players, including ex-Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi from French top-flight side Rennes in a deal valued at around £8m.

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They also forked out £1.5m to secure the services of Bristol City midfielder Taylor Gardner-Hickman on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell last season. However, it looks as though Wrexham could overtake Birmingham in terms of their outlay as they also eye moves for Leicester captain Conor Coady and Sheffield United striker Kieffer Moore.

NFL legend Brady, who holds a minority stake in the Blues, has now urged his club to make sure they keep pace with their rival’s spending as the two teams prepare to do battle in the Championship next season.

“We’ve got to (keep spending),” Brady told The Sports Agents podcast. “We’ve got to keep up with one another. Wrexham have done an incredible job. You can’t be anything but excited about what they’ve done for that club. I’m so impressed by Wrexham.

“What they do on the pitch, off the pitch, and again, they’re in a great position to succeed as well.”

When asked about the rivalry in what’s been dubbed the ‘Hollywood Derby’, Brady added: “We’re going to talk a lot of smack in the meantime between all of us, because it’s pretty fun theatre, and I think there’s some little friendly side bets going on.

“But make no mistake, the people who are going to decide the fate of those games are the players wearing those jerseys.”

Brady boasts an impressive record of reaching 10 Super Bowl finals and securing seven titles during his illustrious career from 2000 to 2022.

Former Celtic and Tottenham boss Chris Davies led Birmingham to League One glory last term with a record-breaking 111 points from 46 matches.

It came after the previous season saw Birmingham relegated to the third tier for the first time in nearly three decades, following the dismissal of former England captain Wayne Rooney as manager after just 15 games in charge.

Reflecting on that period, Brady said: “I think that’s a very natural part of a growth process, that you are going to face adversities along the way. When I look back at those years, I’m very proud of what we accomplished because of what we overcame.

“Whatever happened two years ago or a year ago makes really no impact on where we’re at now. I think this club has a great manager. The expectations and standards have been set at a different level, and we’re going into this Championship season with great excitement.

“We want to restore it (Birmingham) to the glory that it’s been in the past. To move up and to be promoted to the Premier League is a very daunting task, but it can be achieved.”

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