Wrexham dressing room’s ice-cold reaction to Hugh Jackman as star speaks out

Hugh Jackman was snubbed by Wrexham players when visiting them after a game in 2023, despite other stars like Will Ferrell getting warm welcomes in the dressing room

A former Wrexham captain has lifted the lid on how Hollywood A-lister Hugh Jackman was snubbed by players during a visit to the team’s changing room. A whole host of celebrities have dropped in to watch the Welsh outfit in action since the club was bought by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in February 2021.

Famous faces seen at the Racecourse Ground have included Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, Magic Mike actor Channing Tatum and Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. Will Ferrell also delighted the Wrexham squad by stopping off to say hello to them in February 2023.

However, ex-Red Dragons skipper Ben Tozer has now revealed how Jackman was met with a much frostier reception later that year. Reynolds’ Deadpool and Wolverine co-star was in town in August 2023 to take in Wrexham’s first EFL game in 15 years.

The club’s opening match of the season in League Two was eagerly anticipated, but ended in disappointment as Phil Parkinson’s side suffered a 5-3 home defeat to MK Dons. And the Wrexham players were in no mood to talk when Jackman called in to the dressing room after the game to offer his condolences.

Tozer, who recently announced his retirement from football, discussed rubbing shoulders with the stars during an appearance on Sky Sports Radio.

“The one where I had to pinch myself was when Will Ferrell walked in the dressing room before a game,” he said. “I was like, ‘I have to shake and bake with that guy,’ because of Talladega Nights.

“But unfortunately, when Hugh Jackman came into the dressing room, he got the cold shoulder because we’d lost the game. He walked in and no one was bothered. Everyone was just a bit like, ‘Can you get out please? We don’t want anyone in here.'”

Jackman has previously opened up on his love for Wrexham and the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, which charts the club’s journey under the ownership of Reynolds and McElhenney.

Posting on Instagram in July 2023, the Australian said: “You don’t even have to like @vancityreynolds. @wrexham_afc @wrexhamfx is the people, the town, the heart, the show that is balm for the soul.”

He also once revealed how their ownership of Wrexham nearly led him to buy a football club. “I will admit to you that when Ryan [Reynolds] bought that team, I did get more than one offer from rivals of that team for £1 to come in as a co-owner and it did seriously tempt me,” Jackman said while appearing on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show.

“This whole thing of outsiders coming in and buying football teams, it feels a little, I don’t know, easy. I have decided to go one step further, I am actually going to try out for the team.”

While Jackman ultimately resisted following Reynolds into becoming the owner of a football club, the pair recently announced that they had entered a different sporting venture together. The two actors were confirmed in June as the new owners of the BONDS Flying Roos sailing team.

The Australian team competes in the international SailGP competition, which has also attracted several other high-profile investors, including Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe and American actress Anne Hathaway.

In a joint statement, Reynolds and Jackman said: “We’re incredibly excited to set sail together in this new adventure. Hugh brings a deep love for and pride in his home country as well as being an avid fan of sailing.

“He will also be bringing his overly clingy emotional support human along for the ride. Apologies in advance to Australia.”

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