Wrexham-based football team unveil new kit inspired by Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool & Wolverine
An amateur Welsh football club have released a new kit inspired by Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool & Wolverine movie.
The design of the yellow and blue third strip unveiled by Wrexham-based Llay Miners Welfare FC is themed on the Wolverine costume worn by Hugh Jackman in the Hollywood blockbuster. The club, which plays in the second tier of the Welsh football pyramid, is located just four miles down the road from Reynolds' team Wrexham AFC.
Jackman, a close friend of the Canadian actor, visited the city in August 2023 to watch the Red Dragons in action. The pair starred together in Deadpool & Wolverine, which raked in more than $1billion (£800m) worldwide at the box office following its release in July last year.
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Wrexham talisman Paul Mullin also made a cameo as 'Welshpool' – a Welsh version of Reynolds' iconic Deadpool character. The special Wolverine shirt is set to be worn for several of Llay Welfare's JD Cymru North fixtures this season, debuting at their derby match against Gresford Athletic on Saturday (January 11).
A Wolverine-themed scarf giveaway is also due to be announced by the club in the near future. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the kit, which is a collaboration with Hotel Wrexham, will go to the Wrexham Miners Project charity.
Kieron Fox, chairman of Llay Miners Welfare FC, said: “Mining and football are the lifeblood of Wrexham, and we’re thrilled to work with Hotel Wrexham and the Wrexham Miners Project to ensure that history is never forgotten.
“This partnership represents our commitment to the community, and we can’t wait to bring everyone together for such a worthy cause.”
The Wrexham Miners Project is a cause close to the hearts of Reynolds and fellow Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney. The pair have pledged to donate £26,200 each to the charity, which aims to preserve the area's mining heritage.
It forms part of a wider £250,000 fundraiser by Wrexham executive director Humphrey Ker, who is set to take on the 2025 Manchester Marathon to generate donations.
Commenting on Llay Welfare's own charitable efforts, Peter Schriewersmann, commercial director at Hotel Wrexham, said: “As an organisation, it’s really important for us to support local causes and to fully immerse ourselves in the history and heritage of our community.
“We’re really excited to work with these two brilliant local organisations on what we hope will be a long-term basis.”
A further tribute to the Deadpool & Wolverine film can be found at the Turf pub, made famous by the Welcome to Wrexham documentary. A stained-glass window featuring the titular characters was installed at the pub, located next to Wrexham's Racecourse Ground, in November.
