Tom Brady's Birmingham City beat Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham in what was dubbed the Hollywood Derby.
BIRMINGHAM, England — Legendary quarterback Tom Brady was a different kind of “Monday Night Football” regular, but he was one of the many superstars in attendance at St. Andrews. A 3-1 win this Monday.
Fans were talking about the chaos surrounding the famous old stadium since before 8:00pm.
That's what happens when you have Brady, Rob McElhenney and David Beckham in a game called the “Hollywood Derby.” There were suggestions McElhenney would be joined by Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds, but thanks to McElhenney speaking to him on FaceTime before he was kicked off.
“You could feel the energy in the stadium,” Brady said on Sky Sports before the game. “We're excited. It's going to be a great game. If you love football, you've got to watch it tonight.”
Brady has a 3.3% stake in Birmingham City and has flown well for the competition. He was spotted on the field before kicking a football with the Blues.
🐐 has arrived. pic.twitter.com/HZOKwUgPC2
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) September 16, 2024
After conducting several media interviews, McElhenney was presented with a Birmingham jersey with the number 12 on the back and then marched off the field. “Who the f— are you?” He received a glowing reception, except for the Wrexham fans, who are considered the greatest ever to play in the NFL, with a serenade.
“We want to be successful on the field and how we get there, we're going to have our own process for that,” Brady said before the game. “But the bottom line is we want to win and that's what we're making sure of. I love the game and I love being part of this club.”
McElhenney flew in Sunday after attending the Emmys in Los Angeles and was leading the pregame hype. Wrexham recruited former quarterback Eli Manning as the fan of the day, using his record in helping the New York Giants to two Super Bowl victories over Brady's New England Patriots in 2008 and 2012 as a tasty subplot.
Brady responded by pointing out his incredible accolades, prompting Manning to seek help from actor Hugh Jackman on social media.
Still, it was a mere subplot for a match between two unbeaten teams in League One and a pair of promotion hopefuls. Birmingham have spent (around £30m) this summer and broke club and league records by signing Jay Stansfield for a fee believed to be £15m.
The pre-match preview has begun @TomBrady @BCFC @Wrexham_AFC pic.twitter.com/2NL3LJYaXO
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) September 16, 2024
Birmingham were eyeing a return to the English League Championship, their first asking since relegation last season. Then there's Wrexham, under the guidance of the Reynolds-McElhenny partnership, with their back-to-back promotions and Premier League aspirations.
There was still room for one more celebrity surprise. Beckham (and his son Romeo) sat to Brady's left in the Birmingham director's box, while his former Manchester United and England team-mate Gary Neville was at St Andrews.
“We've brought a lot of international attention to a League One match,” said Birmingham boss Tom Wagner, assessing the occasion and his team overcame an initial scare to respond with a brilliant performance.
He is also here… pic.twitter.com/4lE7bK2Gzr
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) September 16, 2024
The visitors took the lead two minutes later when Jake Marriott slotted in a corner. McElhenny was restrained in the stands as he watched his Wrexham side score a goal, but Brady was delighted when Stansfield latched onto the rebound for the Blues after Arthur Okonkwo had wasted Alfie May's long-range effort.
With the game tied at 1-1 at the break, Birmingham took the lead in the 52nd minute when Stansfield headed home Alex Cochrane's brilliant cross. Birmingham's joy was compounded seven minutes later when Tomoki Iwata scored beautifully from 25 yards.
Really it was rap, it really was. https://t.co/GDHhe9iTsy
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) September 16, 2024
Brady could be seen applauding in the crowd as players from both sides tackled each other, but it was Birmingham who sent captain Christian Bielik to a second yellow card in the 86th minute to keep control of the match. Brady should be awarded bragging rights in the first Hollywood Derby.
