'I'm an ex-Man Utd star – Wrexham's success pains me but Ryan Reynolds is doing great' - The Mirror

Wrexham have flourished since being taken over by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney with the club now currently sitting top of League One following successive promotions

Former Liverpool and Manchester United star Michael Owen has revealed that, as a lifelong Chester fan, Wrexham's new-found success "pains" him.

Since their acquisition by Hollywood celebs Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham have gone from National League also-rans to now leading the pack in League One. Along the way they have amassed a huge following and been the centre of a hit reality tv show backed by Disney.

Owen has now claimed the club's success hurts him due to his dad's affiliation with Wrexham's arch rivals, Chester. Owen's father, Terry, played for the Blues for several years in the 1970s, however the former England international has conceded that the Red Dragons' success is "great to see".

The ex-Real Madrid striker is no stranger to fierce rivalries and made headlines himself in 2009 when he joined Liverpool's bitter rivals United following a hugely successful nine year stint at Anfield. However, despite his strong links with Chester, the 44-year-old believes Wrexham's success is doing "wonders" for football in the region.

"Well I’m a Chester fan of course, my dad played for Chester in the glory years when they got to the League Cup semi-final and got promotion," Owen told Genting Casino. "My dad speaks so fondly of his time at Chester and I was born in the city, lived in the city and my home sits just outside the city now so Chester is in my heart and soul."

Wrexham have achieved back-to-back promotions since Reynolds and McElhenney invested into the club and have secured several high-profile signings such as Paul Mullin and Ollie Rathbone. The club's newly discovered fame has meant they're now being talked about in circles like never before, with their success even earning them fans on the other side of the Atlantic.

"It pains me in a way to say it, but I think it's great to see what is happening at Wrexham. The two owners are doing wonders for football in this part of the world," Owen added. "There are so many fans out in America that wouldn't have been football fans, wouldn't have followed football without them. The buzz in the area is quite incredible."

Owen's boyhood club have endured a rocky few years with financial woes compounding on-pitch matters and they currently find themselves fourth in the National League - the very same division Wrexham once called home. However, the ex-Newcastle United striker believes that Wrexham's success can spare on Chester to greater things.

"I live 15 miles from Wrexham and you can feel the buzz down the road. It's quite painful as a Chester fan, looking over your fence and seeing success down there, but also I would like to think that gives the motivation for Chester Football Club and the fans to want better and to want more. We'll see what happens there in the future."

While Wrexham's fairy-tale-like success has bewitched many, there are some quarters who have taken against the amount of money being injected into the club, as well as their rapid ascension to fame. Owen, however, has no issues with how the club has gone about their business.

"I've got no problems with what Wrexham are doing," he said. "They're spending money, they're investing money into football. The crowds are growing, the stadium is getting bigger and better. I think it's an incredible story."

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