‘Not by choice’ – Former Premier League star, 38, claims he’s being forced out by Wrexham in emotional statement
STEVEN FLETCHER has announced he is leaving Wrexham after their promotion to the Championship.
The former Burnley striker credited the Welsh side with helping him “fall in love” with football again.
Fletcher has scored 15 goals in 71 games since joining Wrexham in the summer of 2023.
The 38-year-old netted crucial goals this season – mostly off the bench – to help fire the club to the second tier.
But he announced on Thursday he is being released – and it was “not by choice”.
Fletcher wrote in an emotional statement on Instagram: “It’s with a heavy heart, and not by choice, that I unfortunately have to announce my departure from what I can only describe as the most magical club I have ever played at!
“In my 22 years of stepping onto a pitch, I have never experienced anything like this club.
“I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to come here and fall back in love with the game!”
Wrexham achieved a third-straight promotion as they finished second in League One behind runaway champions Birmingham.
It continued a remarkable rise for the club since being bought by Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in the National League four years ago.
Fletcher continued: “To have had the experiences and the opportunities that this club has given me has been just incredible.
“And this group of lads are the best that I have ever shared a changing room with.
“It’s not just a team or a changing room. This group of boys, fans and staff have been my family for the past two years.
“You welcomed me with open arms and open hearts and made me feel like I had a purpose again.”
SunSport has contacted Wrexham for comment.
Co-owner McElhenney said on social media that exits such as Fletcher’s were “the worst part” of ownership.
Wrexham‘s success has been built on ruthless decision-making behind the scenes, with a high turnover of personnel expected this summer.
How Ryan Reynolds has been watching Wrexham games in style
CO-OWNER Ryan Reynolds hasn't been able to make it to Wrexham in recent weeks due to filming commitments.
But that hasn’t stopped him from watching his team in style.
Streaming the match on a laptop or even a TV was not grand enough for the Deadpool star as he worked on the set of his latest movie.
With a giant green screen behind him, he could not resist broadcasting Wrexham’s recent game on to the huge projector.
Reynolds and his crew watched on as the Welsh side notched their 23rd win of the season against Crawley Town.
He looked enamoured as the game played on behind him while surrounding by various pieces of Hollywood machinery.
And Reynolds captioned the moment: “Watching the Wrexham game at work: new level unlocked.”
It’s not clear what project Reynolds was working on at the time, with the actor currently developing several new movies including sequels to smash hits Free Guy and Red Notice.
McElhenney added: “They are not just players on the team. They are my friends and people I admire”.
Wrexham director Humphrey Ker posted he was “slightly in awe” of Fletcher “on account of his extraordinary career at the very top of the game”.
He continued: “Now, after two glorious years in his company, I’m even more in awe of him, on account of his abilities, his leadership and friendship.
“[He’s a] man who’s given me moments of joy that’ll last a lifetime.”