Wrexham’s Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney BUY famous Turf pub next to stadium as statement released

WREXHAM owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have bought the iconic Turf pub next to the Racecourse Ground. The Championship club has released a statement confirming the purchase from Admiral Taverns, outlining plans to protect the venue for years to come. Wrexham’s Kop stand expansion progresses behind The Turf pub Credit: Getty Ryan Reynolds poses for a photo behind the bar at The Turf with landlord Wayne Jones Credit: Twitter/welshy1000 Fan-favourite Wayne Jones will continue to run the pub following the exchange, having served as its landlord for the past two decades. Wrexham‘s statement reads: “The ownership group of Wrexham AFC has today exchanged on the purchase of The Turf from Admiral Taverns, the UK’s leading community pub company. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! “The acquisition allows for the preservation of the history and traditions of the historic public house that is inexorably linked to the Racecourse Ground and Wrexham AFC Football Club since its foundation in 1864.” Fans have also been assured that their experience will remain unchanged during fixtures and non-matchdays. It is the latest development to come at the Racecourse Ground since Reynolds and McElhenney, both 49, took ownership of the club in 2021. The Racecourse Ground now looks unrecognisable with scaffolding built around the famed Kop stand amid a £70million renovation. This redevelopment is set to be completed ahead of the 2027-28 season, raising the stadium’s capacity to over 18,000 fans. Wrexham have also been forced to apologise after building a new training ground without full planning permission from the local council. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Actor Paul Rudd alongside Wrexham fans in The Turf Pub ahead of a National League match Credit: PA Minority investor Eric Allyn has praised the decision to purchase The Turf as the next step in Wrexham’s incredible journey up the English league structure. Allyn said: “Ever since we invested in Wrexham AFC through Red Dragon Ventures in 2024, the town, the community and the Football Club have become a second home. And no place more so than The Turf with Wayne Jones behind the bar. “By bringing The Turf into the group, we are securing the long-term future of the pub and with it preserving its history and that of the Club.” Meanwhile, landlord Jones has explained the long-standing relationship between Wrexham and The Turf. Jones said: “The Turf Tavern, as it was then, predates the Club and records suggest that the Club itself was founded in the pub. “It has played a key part of the Club’s history ever since, with the players changing in the pub before running out onto the Racecourse Ground as recently as the 1940s, and it continues to be a focal point for fans on matchdays and non-matchdays.” Wrexham currently sit 14th in the Championship, with two wins, four draws, and two defeats. They will next face Derby on Saturday, October 10, after a lengthy international break. Comment now