Humphrey Ker steps down from Wrexham board after five years as the man who started it all

Humphrey Ker, the man credited with bringing Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to Wrexham AFC, has stepped down from the Championship club’s board, ending a five-year association with the North Welsh side. He will also leave his role as a trustee of the Wrexham AFC Foundation.

Ker, 43, first sparked McElhenney’s interest in British football while the pair were on set for Apple TV+ comedy Mythic Quest — co-created by McElhenney and Ker’s wife. He suggested McElhenney watch the Netflix documentary Sunderland ‘Til I Die, a recommendation that ultimately led to the 2021 Hollywood takeover of Wrexham alongside Reynolds. Ker subsequently became the club’s executive director before stepping back from day-to-day involvement ahead of the 2024-25 League One season.

“Working for and representing Wrexham AFC and the wider town has been the greatest honour of my life,” Ker said in a statement. “I am proud of the part I have played in the club’s remarkable journey, both on and off the field. The way the club has evolved and is now structured has made it progressively harder for me to make a positive contribution. As sad as I am to be leaving, I now feel watching from a distance is the right thing for me.”

Reynolds and McElhenney paid tribute in a joint statement: “Humphrey has been a key piece of the Wrexham story from day one. His kindness, humour and height will be missed, but never forgotten.”

Ker, who stood as one of the most recognisable figures in the Disney+ documentary series Welcome to Wrexham, has been redirecting his focus toward his comedy-writing career. He recently helped relaunch Saturday Night Live UK and co-wrote the stage production Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas with long-time collaborator David Reed.

His departure comes as Wrexham continue to establish themselves in the Championship following a rise from National League football since the 2021 takeover. The club narrowly missed out on play-off contention in 2025-26, finishing seventh — one place behind Hull City, who secured promotion via the play-offs at Wembley and now sit eighth in the Premier League.