NCS
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A number of years in the past, a fixture between Wrexham and Birmingham would go lots of people by. Nowadays, the sport is a Hollywood affair.
Almost 30,000 followers gathered on the St. Andrew’s Stadium on Monday for the League One soccer match, together with among the largest stars from sport, movie and tv in attendance.
That’s as a result of each golf equipment have obtained big funding by well-known American house owners lately – NFL legend Tom Brady now owns a minority stake within the Blues, whereas actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have remodeled the fortunes of Wrexham since taking on the membership in 2021.
Brady and McElhenney each traveled to the Birmingham to watch the sport, which the host finally gained 3-1.
The pair, who had poked enjoyable at one another on social media within the buildup, had been joined by stars akin to David Beckham and his son Romeo within the stands. At one level, McElhenney even video referred to as co-owner Reynolds, turning his telephone round so followers may see who he was speaking to.
The injection of superstardom actually gave the fixture a new dimension and created a feverish ambiance with the match proven dwell on the UK’s Sky Sports.
It’s uncommon for a 3rd division sport to be given such a prime-time slot, however followers of Birmingham and Wrexham have turn out to be used to the extraordinary lately.
“This is exactly what we hoped it would be when we bought the club, that we could bring this kind of energy and excitement to our matches and really create an environment where people want to be a part of it,” Birmingham chairman Tom Wagner instructed Sky Sports earlier than the match kicked off.
“Where folks at home can enjoy it and feel that energy. It speaks volumes about the attractiveness of English football to have this much excitement on a Monday night between two League One teams.”
The sport itself actually lived up to the hype, with Birmingham finishing a comeback after going behind early within the sport. There was additionally a crimson card for the host’s Krystian Bielik which solely added to the drama.
The consequence was a little bit of a impolite awakening for Wrexham, who had been unbeaten within the league this season earlier than Monday.
The Welsh facet nonetheless sits high of League One however seemed to battle in opposition to the facility of Birmingham, which was solely relegated into the third division final season and boasts superior spending energy due to the dimensions of the membership.
The Blues now sit second within the desk, behind Wrexham solely on objective distinction having performed one much less sport.
If the beginning of this season is something to go by, the 2 groups could possibly be competing for promotion the following time they meet on January 25.
Due to the heightened American curiosity, there had been some suggestion that this fixture could possibly be performed within the US this 12 months, however the notion was rapidly rejected by the league.
Birmingham City CEO Garry Cook had instructed BBC Sport that he thought it could be a “great idea” to in the future transfer the match to the US, however admitted the historical past and custom of English soccer would make it impossible.
On Monday, NFL legend JJ Watt – who has additionally invested in English soccer membership Burnley final 12 months – stated he didn’t need the new wave of US house owners to change an excessive amount of in regards to the sport.
“The beauty of the English game is the history, the tradition, the passion,” Watt wrote on X, previously referred to as Twitter.
“These clubs have been around long before any of us arrived and they’ll be around long after any of us are gone. Modernize some aspects that need it, sure. But let’s not mess with what makes it great.”