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Wrexham FC Striker Ollie Palmer Says Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney Are 'Passionate' Owners

Natasha Dye
·2-min read
ACCRINGTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Lincoln City's Ollie Palmer during the Sky Bet League Two match between Accrington Stanley and Lincoln City at The Crown Ground on April 28, 2018 in Accrington, England. (Photo by Andrew Vaughan - CameraSport via Getty Images); JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. EDT and features a diverse lineup of guests that include celebrities, athletes, musical acts, comedians and human interest subjects, along with comedy bits and a house band. The guests for Tuesday, August 9 included guest host Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds (Welcome to Wrexham), Kaitlin Olson (Hacks), and musical guest Tones and I. (Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty Images) RYAN REYNOLDS, ROB MCELHENNEY

Andrew Vaughan - CameraSport via Getty; Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty

Wrexham Football Club striker Ollie Palmer says Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are the most passionate team owners he's ever had.

Palmer, 30, tells PEOPLE he's "played football for quite a long time" and has experienced "a real variety" of owners over the course of his career.

"It's so nice to actually feel their passion, not just see it," he says.

"I've had good owners and bad owners and nasty owners," explains Palmer, who says he has "a really good personal relationship" with Reynolds, and that the two "speak a lot."

WREXHAM, WALES - MAY 08: Ollie Palmer of Wrexham during the Vanarama National League fixture between Wrexham and Stockport County at Racecourse Ground on May 8, 2022 in Wrexham, Wales. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
WREXHAM, WALES - MAY 08: Ollie Palmer of Wrexham during the Vanarama National League fixture between Wrexham and Stockport County at Racecourse Ground on May 8, 2022 in Wrexham, Wales. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty

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"I've never had owners that are this passionate and this involved with the football club, with the community, and what they're doing for everyone."

While filming their FX docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, Palmer says he could, "see [their passion] behind the cameras, which makes it so authentic, and it really is so genuine."

Palmer says McElhenney and Reynolds "have really fallen in love with the town, the community, the football club, and the players."

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney take photos before the Vanarama National League match at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham. Picture date: Saturday October 30, 2021.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney take photos before the Vanarama National League match at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham. Picture date: Saturday October 30, 2021.

Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty

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The owners communicate regularly with the players, says Palmer. "Rob did recently WhatsApp me just to have a bit of a catch-up and laugh. We've started speaking more over the phone."

Palmer applauds the duo's ability to be so present with the team and the town. "It's probably not easy for them to do," because of their busy schedules, he says.

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Both McElhenney and Reynolds have been "so kind" and "so invested," which Palmer says "definitely helps the players" on-field performance.

"When you've got owners on top like them, you want to run through more bricks for them," Palmer says, speaking metaphorically. "So, from a playing point of view, it definitely helps the players. But, also, I see them as completely normal people now."