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Football Insider

Support and Resilience: The Remarkable Journey of Ollie Rathbone

Delve into the uplifting tale of Ollie Rathbone, the midfielder who has battled through adversity to make a triumphant return to the pitch, with unwavering support from his family and a touch of humor from Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds.

Support and Resilience: The Remarkable Journey of Ollie Rathbone

Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has found a hilarious way to show support for Ollie Rathbone, by wearing a hoodie asking the midfielder to have his children! The 29-year-old has overcome a serious injury to return to contention under manager Phil Parkinson. Rathbone has come back from a serious ankle injury, after missing the entirety of the 2023/24 season. He has made 10 Championship appearances since his comeback and already has four goals, with Reynolds showing his support for the midfielder with a hilarious hoodie. The Deadpool star attended their clash with Millwall in Wales, and was pictured by an X user wearing a red hooded sweatshirt that read "Ollie Rathbone, have my children."Rathbone scored a brilliant volley for Wrexham against Blackburn Rovers to help Parkinson's side to a 2-0 win on New Year's Day. He also scored against QPR, with the club now sitting sixth, in the final play-off place as they bid to win their fourth successive promotion in a remarkable story.Rathbone could well be cast as the underdog of the story, having revealed that his parents had to talk him out of retirement as he went through his injury hell. He said:  "There are 150 days between the two photos below. The picture on the left is me limping off the pitch in pre-season with a serious ankle injury. The picture on the right is me scoring a 90th-minute equaliser two minutes after coming on in my first league appearance of the season."The time in between has been by far the most difficult period of my career, getting back to full fitness, set back after set back and finding myself out the team. I hated the situation I found myself in, I felt sorry for myself, wallowed in self pity and moaned to anybody who would listen about how hard done by I had been."He added on his parents' role in lifting him out of a dark period in his career: "I told my parents one afternoon how fed up I was and how I was close to completely sacking it off, they looked at me and said, 'Oliver that's not you and it's definitely not us.'"They made me promise that no matter what I would stay positive, give my all and make sure I was ready for my chance when it came. The fact they were there to see that goal made it even more special, it only happened because of them."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Rathbone won Player of the Year for Wrexham at the end of the 2024/25 season but he has revealed how difficult he has found it to fight his way back into the XI. He said: "I didn't think when I was getting player of the year on that pitch in May that my next minutes would be in December. So it's been really tough. I had the big injury in pre-season, so I missed all of pre-season. Then I had a couple of little niggles that have set me back even more so I felt a million miles away at times. But I've worked really hard and kept myself ultra professional and just got on with things. I've not kicked up a fuss and just worked really hard and backed myself."He added: "I think you need to have resilience and I think when you get to this point in your career you have to have that to play as many games as I have. The support of my family has been incredible because it has been really, really difficult. I won't downplay it, it's been a really tough period for me and I felt like the forgotten man at times. But hopefully I can kick on from here. All I want is to feel like a part of this team and to try and help us be successful."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingWrexham play Ipswich Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday, before taking on Bristol City in the Championship next week. 

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The Resilience of Ollie Rathbone

Ollie Rathbone's journey back to the pitch has been nothing short of inspirational. Overcoming a serious ankle injury that sidelined him for the entire 2023/24 season, Rathbone has showcased incredible determination and perseverance to return to contention under manager Phil Parkinson. Despite facing setbacks and doubts, Rathbone's hard work and dedication have paid off as he not only made a comeback but also made a significant impact with four goals in 10 Championship appearances.

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A Touch of Humor and Support

In a heartwarming display of support, Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds affectionately donned a hoodie with a playful message urging Rathbone to 'have my children.' The humorous gesture not only highlighted Reynolds' backing for the midfielder but also added a touch of levity to the intense world of football. Rathbone's impressive performances on the pitch, including a stellar volley against Blackburn Rovers, have further solidified his place in the team and earned him well-deserved recognition.

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Family's Crucial Role

In times of struggle and self-doubt, Rathbone found unwavering support and encouragement from his parents, who played a pivotal role in lifting him out of a dark period in his career. Their belief in his abilities and their insistence on staying positive helped Rathbone navigate through the toughest phases of his recovery. As Rathbone reflected on his challenging journey, he acknowledged the crucial role his family played in his success and expressed gratitude for their unwavering support.

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Looking Ahead

As Rathbone looks towards the future, he remains focused on contributing to Wrexham's success and being an integral part of the team's journey. Despite the challenges he has faced, Rathbone's resilience, professionalism, and determination shine through, underscoring his unwavering commitment to his craft. With Wrexham eyeing promotion and upcoming fixtures against Ipswich Town in the FA Cup and Bristol City in the Championship, Rathbone's continued dedication and spirit will undoubtedly be key to the team's aspirations.

Published on Feb 7, 2026
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