“You Are Greatness” – Ryan Reynolds’ Emotional Tribute to Wrexham Striker Steven Fletcher After Exit Controversy

Ryan Reynolds responds as Wrexham striker Steven Fletcher claims he was forced out following Championship promotion

There are moments in football that transcend the lines on the pitch. Moments that remind us this game is about more than tactics, scorelines, or transfers. This week, Wrexham AFC—fresh off a historic promotion to the Championship—found itself in the emotional spotlight as veteran striker Steven Fletcher bid farewell to the club in a message that raised eyebrows and stirred hearts.

The departure, seemingly routine at first, took a turn when Fletcher revealed he was not leaving the club “out of choice.” Cue an outpouring of emotion, spearheaded by none other than the club’s co-owner Ryan Reynolds.

In an open and heartfelt tribute, Ryan Reynolds captured what so many in Wrexham feel about Fletcher—not just as a footballer, but as a person.

From Premier League Pedigree to Non-League Warrior

Steven Fletcher is no stranger to the bright lights of football. With spells at Burnley, Wolves, Sunderland, and Sheffield Wednesday, he’s played at the highest levels. So when he joined Wrexham in September 2023—a then-League Two club—it raised eyebrows. Was this a swansong or a serious chapter?

Turns out, it was very much the latter. Fletcher may have arrived in the twilight of his career, but his impact was anything but faded. Over two seasons, he made 71 appearances and notched 15 goals—not earth-shattering, but each one carried weight. Each one pushed Wrexham further on their remarkable journey from the National League to the Championship in just two years.

But it wasn’t just about goals. Fletcher brought leadership, professionalism, and a calming presence in a squad that suddenly found itself at the heart of a global football fairytale.

“You ARE Greatness”: Ryan Reynolds’ Heartfelt Goodbye

Reynolds, never one to shy away from sentiment, posted a moving farewell to Fletcher that has since gone viral among fans and neutrals alike.

“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 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.”

The words hit harder knowing the context. Fletcher’s own farewell post suggested he hadn’t wanted to leave. “Unfortunately,” he wrote, “my time at Wrexham has come to an end… not out of choice.”

While neither party has officially confirmed the reasons behind the exit, it has sparked discussion about what Wrexham’s next chapter will look like in the Championship—and whether success is beginning to come with the sharp edge of professional football’s realities.

Changing Rooms and Changing Times

Wrexham’s journey under Ryan Reynolds and co-chair Rob McElhenney has been nothing short of cinematic—literally. With the world watching through their hit documentary “Welcome to Wrexham,” every goal, injury, and press conference has been under a global microscope.

But with promotion comes pressure. The Championship is a different beast. Bigger stadiums, bigger wages, and a bigger demand for results.

There are already reports that Wrexham is preparing to reinforce heavily this summer, targeting players like Fulham’s Tom Cairney and Nottingham Forest’s Lewis O’Brien. These are Premier League-calibre names, a sign that the club isn’t just aiming to survive in the second tier—they want to compete.

That ambition, however, can come at a cost. And in Fletcher’s case, it appears the cost may have been emotional.

Fletcher’s Legacy in Red

Huddersfield Town AFC v Wrexham AFC – Sky Bet League One

It’s easy to talk stats, but in Wrexham, legacies are written in something deeper. Fletcher didn’t just help the club win matches—he helped them believe. In a team filled with rising talents, his experience gave them a steady compass.

Young strikers like Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer credit Fletcher for his mentorship. “He didn’t just tell us what to do—he showed us,” Mullin said earlier this year. “Even in training, he set the standard.”

And fans knew it too. Fletcher’s name became one sung with pride on the Racecourse Ground terraces. He was, as Ryan Reynolds said, “a reminder that this is also fun.”

A Goodbye That Feels Too Soon

While football is full of farewells, some just sting a little more. This one feels premature. There’s a sense among supporters that Fletcher had more to give—not just in goals, but in presence.

Fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment. One tweet summed it up: “Can’t believe we’re letting Fletch go. Championship or not, he’s a glue guy. The kind of player you build a team around, not move past.”

Still, Fletcher leaves with his head held high and a place forever etched in Wrexham folklore. His 15 goals may not be record-breaking, but his influence? Immeasurable.

What’s Next for Wrexham?

As the club prepares for its first season back in the Championship since 2004, attention turns quickly to what’s next. With big-name targets and a deepening squad, Wrexham clearly have their eyes set on establishing themselves as more than a feel-good story.

But as they rise, the challenge will be keeping the heart intact. Ryan Reynolds and McElhenney have always said they want to do this “the right way”—building community as much as a team.

Fletcher’s emotional goodbye is a reminder that progress and sentiment sometimes collide in sport. How the club balances the business of success with the soul of its identity will define the next chapter of this extraordinary journey.

Final Whistle: Fletcher’s Farewell Is More Than Football

Steven Fletcher came to Wrexham with a Premier League CV and left with something even more valuable: the love of a town and the respect of a football family.

In a world of quick transfers and shorter memories, his legacy at the Racecourse Ground will last long after the boots are hung up.

And as Ryan Reynolds so perfectly put it—he isn’t just a part of greatness.

He is greatness.