Trains named in honour of Wrexham's celebrity owners

Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney pictured previously at Wrexham's Stok Racecourse stadium
Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are frequent visitors to the club's Stok Racecourse stadium [Getty Images]

Two new trains have been named after the home cities of Wrexham FC's owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

They have been named Vancouver Red Dragon in honour of Hollywood star Reynolds and The Philadelphia Robin for McElhenney, star and co-creator of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Transport for Wales said it wanted to acknowledge the "positive" work the pair have had in the area.

Wrexham's final game of the season against Stockport County on Saturday had been dubbed a "celebration" as both teams had already secured automatic promotion to League One.

The two trains
The trains have been named The Philadelphia Robin (left) and the Vancouver Red Dragon [TfW]
A close-up view of the name plate of the Vancouver Red Dragon
A close-up view of the name plate of the Vancouver Red Dragon [TfW]

Fans gathered in the town before the game.

The match saw the Red Dragons beat League Two champions Stockport 2-1.

Pierre and Thomas from Brussels, Belgium, drove 100 miles (160km) to be at Saturday's game.

Documentary Welcome the Wrexham inspired them to follow the team.

Their first introduction to Welsh football was being in Lille for Belgium versus Wales in Euro 2016, when Wales pulled off a shock win.

Pierre (left) and Thomas (right) from Brussels travelled 100 miles to be at the game
Pierre (left) and Thomas (right) from Brussels travelled 100 miles to be at the game [BBC]

Supporters Delyth Owen, Morgan, 16, and Dyfan, 11, go to home and away games.

The three, from Bodedern, Anglesey, said they were looking forward to seeing the side facing bigger clubs next season after their promotion.

Supporters Delyth Owen, Morgan, 16, and Dyfan, 11, go to home and away games
Supporters, from left to right, Delyth Owen, Morgan, 16, and Dyfan, 11, go to home and away games [BBC]

Long-time supporter Thomas Lewis, from Denbigh, said: "The club is on the up-and-up, the atmosphere here is amazing these days.

"Everything has changed so much, Champions League in five years."

Thomas Lewis said it feels like the club is on the up
Thomas Lewis said it feels like the club is on the up [BBC]

Earlier this month, owners McElhenney and Reynolds donated £15,000 to John Bell's charity Walking 4 Hope, which he set up after the death of his son Jake at the age of 15.

They gave £10,000 to a disabled four-year-old Wrexham fan in February and also stepped in with a £3,500 pledge after a sportswear store in the city was burgled.

Among other donations, they gave £5,000 to a charity football match to raise money for the children's ward at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

First Minister Vaughan Gething said: "Rob and Ryan have put an incredible amount into the community and it's fantastic that their contribution is being recognised with the new trains."