Ryan Reynolds praises 'generous' former Wrexham star who is no longer at the club as key reason for promotion

Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has praised a player no longer at the club as being a key reason behind one of their promotions.

The Red Dragons finished second in League Two to seal an automatic promotion place, which was sealed two games before the end of the season.

Despite a dip in form around the turn of the year, the Red Dragons won nine of their last 15 games - including all five of their final games of the campaign.

Promotion was sealed with a thumping 6-0 win over Forest Green, achieved while their promotion rivals slipped by the wayside.

Eventually, Wrexham finished 10 points ahead of fourth-placed MK Dons, who had to settle for the first of four League Two play-off spots.

Now, speaking on the newly-released third season of 'Welcome to Wrexham' on Disney+, Reynolds has credited one former Wrexham star for his 'generous' act that helped them to achieve consecutive promotions.

The player in question is former Manchester United, West Brom and England goalkeeper Ben Foster, who starred late on in the Red Dragons' promotion campaign from the National League.

He agreed a deal to stay at the club in League Two, but retired after just four games after realising he could not longer perform at his highest levels.

Reynolds explained: "I thought it was generous. Like, it was an incredibly generous thing to do [to retire at that point in the season].

"So few people know when to call it, you know. I have an immense amount of respect for Ben and who he is as a player and a person. He's a huge reason we're here in the EFL."

On the decision to announce his retirement, which came after he conceded four first half goals in a remarkable 5-5 draw with Swindon in August, Foster said: "I went into the coaches room [after the game] and I said, 'That's me done lads. That's me done. I'm letting you down. I'm not up to speed, I'm not what I thought I am. And I don't want to keep letting you down'."

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Foster's decision allowed Wrexham to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo on loan before the transfer deadline, with the 22-year-old one of the side's key players despite suffering a mid-season injury.

It has been reported that Wrexham are considering a permanent deal for the young shot-stopper, with The Athletic reporting that Arsenal have yet to offer him an extension to a contract which expires this summer.

However, as he is under 23, Wrexham would need to pay the Gunners an unspecified amount in training compensation to get the deal over the line.