Yahoo News Ryan Reynolds donation inspires Wrexham futsal team to add Deadpool logo to new kit
FC United of Wrexham will get a whole new kit, courtesy of the Deadpool actor's generous £1,600 donation
A youth futsal team in Wrexham will add a Deadpool logo to their new kits after Ryan Reynolds donated £1,600 to a fundraising page.
The Hollywood star, who owns local football team Wrexham AFC alongside Rob McElhenney, stepped in to support the grassroots team when they appealed for money on social media.
Kayleigh Barton, whose son Keegen plays for the under-12s team, launched an appeal on GoFundMe in the hope of securing some cash to buy the new kits.
In the wake of Reynolds' donation, the club tweeted that they would add a Deadpool logo to the arms of the shirts.
Read more: Reynolds and McElhenney donate for girl's cancer treatment
As a mark of appreciation to @VancityReynolds for his kind donation to our kit supplier @BLKRATGiraffe has suggested & will add the Deadpool logo to the arms of our bespoke Under 12's #futsal kit. The lads are going to love them😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/N08NAvImkM
— FC United of Wrexham 🏴 (@FCUtdofWxm) January 22, 2023
Futsal is a sport similar to football, but played indoors on hard pitches with a smaller, harder ball that do not bounce as much.
Alongside his donation, Reynolds also offered a personal video message to Keegen, who lost his father — 37-year-old footballer Adam Bradshaw — suddenly last year.
Read more: Ryan Reynolds sends video to teen after open heart surgery
Reynolds said: "Let me tell you something. I know you're going through the s*** — there's no other way to say it. I heard a little about your story and I just want to say that I'm really inspired by you, pal.
"I'm super excited by everything that's been happening in Wrexham, and particularly with your team. I'm really inspired by all of the amazing things that you guys are doing over there.
This is pure class from the legend himself & @BartonKeegen of our U12's was that excited he wanted his personal message shared with the world. Himself, his mum & everyone on behalf of @FCUtdofWxm would like to thank everyone for their amazing support & kindness. Thank you 🙌❤️ pic.twitter.com/UFqbBlZgLF
— FC United of Wrexham 🏴 (@FCUtdofWxm) January 23, 2023
"I can't wait to see you in the new uniform and I can't wait to meet you in person one of these days, Keegen. Sending you lots of love from New York."
Kayleigh Barton, who launched the appeal, said she was "overwhelmed" by Reynolds' support, and told BBC Radio Wales she "started shaking [and] just couldn't believe it" when the news came through.
Read more: Ryan Reynolds wants to bring Will Ferrell to Wrexham home game
Reynolds and McElhenney — co-creator and star of US sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia — completed the purchase of Wrexham in 2020.
Their involvement in the club and its subsequent fortunes in the National League — the fifth tier of English football — was depicted in the Disney+ docuseries Welcome to Wrexham last year.
Watch: Trailer for Welcome to Wrexham
