The Rock is interested in emulating Ryan Reynolds and creating the ‘next Wrexham’.
Football enthusiasts have expressed admiration for the achievements that Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have accomplished since assuming control of Wrexham, and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson might be considering a similar path. The former WWE champion, now a prominent Hollywood actor, is allegedly in communication with a collective interested in acquiring Southend United, a team presently competing in the National League.
Integral Sports Management comprises of local entrepreneurs who are interested in acquiring the club, which has been on sale since March due to prolonged financial challenges. According to reports, ISM has reached out to The Rock’s production company, Seven Bucks Productions, which might consider producing a documentary similar to “Welcome to Wrexham” if the takeover is successful.
Another actor who could potentially be part of the agreement is Ray Winstone. The 66-year-old, who is a passionate supporter of West Ham United, is a co-founder of ISM and is expected to have involvement with The Shrimpers if the acquisition moves forward.
Southend experienced their first-ever relegation from the football league in 2021 and have since been competing in the National League without promotion.
The club has faced significant financial challenges in recent years, leading to a transfer embargo imposed since September due to outstanding payments to HMRC.
Unfortunately, full-time office staff members have not received their salaries for the months of March and April. They have until July 12 to settle the £250,000 debt they owe.
Similar to numerous football enthusiasts, supporters of Southend are undoubtedly familiar with the positive impact celebrity owners can have, given their encounters with Wrexham over the past couple of years.
The Welsh club, thanks to the investment and enthusiasm brought by Reynolds and McElhenney, achieved promotion back to the EFL after an 18-year absence earlier this year.
