Wrexham AFC receives £18m from government despite Hollywood backing

Welsh government grants used to fund football club even though it is owned by wealthy movie stars

Wrexham AFC has risen meteorically through the English football leagues thanks to the deep pockets of Hollywood movie star owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Yet the club has also had 18m in help from other, unwitting backers: Welsh taxpayers.

The club has received almost 18m in nonrepayable grants from the Welsh government via the local council, according to UK government state aid disclosures - far in excess of the direct aid listed for any other football club in Britain.