Wrexham goalkeeper Mark Howard has reflected on the bizarre scene that unfolded as Hollywood comedy icon Will Ferrell visited the Racecourse Ground – leaving those present in stitches.
The ‘Anchorman’ superstar’s impromptu visit to the North Wales club’s home ground was the latest in a long line of staggering occurrences involving the team. After being taken over by co-chairmen Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Red Dragons have been transformed, with their rise having been accompanied by newfound worldwide stardom.
The unexpected appearance of Ferrell took place back in February of 2023 during the club’s successful National League promotion push. Attending Wrexham’s clash with Wealdstone FC, the ‘Elf’ funnyman was witness to a 3-1 home victory, having watched on from the terraces following a trip to the famed Turf Pub.
Footage from the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ docuseries also showed that the comedian visited the team’s treatment room within the stadium during his visit. Now, the League Two side’s stopper Howard has reflected on the episode, as he recalled to OLGB: “I’ve watched Ryan’s films. I had done that though before I joined Wrexham as I’m a big film buff.
“You watch Deadpool, these hugely popular films, but you don’t see him as this Hollywood superstar,” he said of owner Reynolds, before recounting the times when he has had the privilege of meeting Hollywood royalty on other occasions. “There’s been a few famous faces I’ve met. Actors Charlie Day and Will Ferrell have come in.
“To meet Will was amazing. I remember myself and teammate Elliott Lee were in the physio room having some treatment and Will came in and we were soon cracking up. He’s so funny,” he recounted, adding: “Hugh Jackman also came in. We are quite used to it now with some A-list movie stars being at the game.”
As he alludes to, the appearances of household names at Wrexham’s games have been plentiful in recent years, with the likes of Paul Rudd, Emma Corrin, John Cleese and David Beckham also having attended matches. Discussing his chiefs’ star power, Howard added: “At our away games we get rival fans or players asking if the owners are coming. They are a big pull for everyone.”
The moment of Ferrell’s meeting with Wrexham stars including talisman Paul Mullin at the Racecourse Ground proved a viral sensation when it was immortalized on film on ‘Welcome to Wrexham’. The comedy star was seen asking players and staff present: “Do you guys like Ryan and Rob or not really?”
With his queries receiving a muted response from his starstruck audience in the treatment room, Ferrell joked: “Rob is good. Ryan? Dodgy Canadian,” before fishing further for a comment from those gathered as he probed further by encouraging: “You can be honest.”
Previous to this, he spoke directly to Dragons supporters via the club’s official Twitter/X account as he spoke with anticipation before the game. He said: “Hi, this is Will Ferrell and it’s my first time here. Where are we again? Wrexham. I’m really excited to see the match and I’ll be honest with you, I’m a little nervous.”
