Credit: @vancityreynolds Instagram
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s famous advice to Wrexham supporters has proven its worth once more, as Max Cleworth’s dramatic 95th-minute equaliser salvaged a point against Blackburn Rovers at the Racecourse Ground.
The Hollywood co-owners have long preached one golden rule to the Red Dragons faithful: never, ever leave a game early. And those who heeded that warning were rewarded with another unforgettable moment as Cleworth bundled home Nathan Broadhead’s low strike deep into stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw.
It was a scene reminiscent of August 2023, when Wrexham trailed Swindon Town 5-3 in injury time before mounting an extraordinary comeback to claim a 5-5 draw with two goals in the dying moments. After that remarkable ten-goal thriller, Reynolds took to social media to write:
“So much heart. #NeverLeaveAWrexhamMatchEarly.”
His co-owner McElhenney was equally emphatic, declaring:
“This team and this town will never ever give up. All heart all the time.”
Those words have lost none of their relevance. Against Blackburn, Wrexham found themselves trailing to Andri Gudjohnsen’s 13th-minute header and looked destined for their first league defeat since October 18th despite creating numerous chances throughout the contest.
Phil Parkinson’s side dominated possession and territory but struggled to break down a resilient Blackburn defence marshalled by goalkeeper Aynsley Pears, who produced a string of crucial saves. The visiting keeper denied Kieffer Moore from close range before pulling off a heroic double stop to keep out both Moore and Cleworth in the closing stages.
With five minutes of stoppage time added, it appeared Wrexham’s unbeaten run would finally end. But in the 95th minute, George Dobson’s free-kick was headed back across goal, Broadhead fired low towards the corner, and Cleworth applied the decisive touch to spark wild celebrations among the 10,643 crowd.
The late drama continues a remarkable trend for Parkinson’s promotion-chasing side, who have made a habit of producing Hollywood endings since their takeover by the celebrity owners in 2021. From that incredible 5-5 draw against Swindon to countless other last-gasp moments, Wrexham have repeatedly demonstrated the fighting spirit their owners so admire.
As Reynolds and McElhenney have discovered, backing Wrexham means embracing the unpredictable, the dramatic, and the unforgettable. Their mantra remains as true today as it was during that August evening against Swindon: at the Racecourse Ground, you simply never leave early.
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