How Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds and England legend Michael Owen almost became arch-enemies
MICHAEL OWEN revealed he almost became arch-enemies with Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds.
The former England striker, 43, was born and raised in Chester before making his name at Liverpool.
And after seeing the success enjoyed by Reynolds and acting pal Rob McElhenney across the Welsh border at nearby Wrexham, Owen admitted he was tempted to try something similar at his hometown club.
Reynolds and McElhenney bought the Red Dragons in November 2020 and inspired their return to the EFL after 15 years away with promotion from the National League last season.
That prompted Owen to reconsider another swoop to purchase his beloved Chester, a few years on from backing out of a deal.
The Seals, founded in 2010, are going well in the National League North after missing out on promotion last season following defeat in the play-offs.
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Owen said: "I did consider buying a football club a while ago, I had a good think about it. Chester FC are my local team, it's where I was born and where I live.
"And of course you see Chester who, in my eyes, are big rivals with Wrexham in a nip-and-tuck situation.
"I live around 15 miles from Wrexham and there is an incredible buzz around the local area, and you can't help but look over the fence and say I wish Chester had this buzz.
"I have looked at the potential in the past. Chester is a fan-run club now, so I don't know what challenges that would pose, but it was a thing that I looked at a couple of years ago and I haven't re-looked at it since.
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"But of course you're burning money, really, at that level a lot of the time.
"I haven't got the money to be losing a million every year which probably is what these clubs do. So obviously I'd need help.
"But anyway it's something I did look at with a few people a few years ago but is not something I haven't looked at since."
Owen retired from his playing career in 2013, finishing with a season at Stoke.
The ex-Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United man now spends much of his time around horse racing.
Owen runs Manor House Stables with more than 100 horses under his care, including some owned by Sir Alex Ferguson.
"Football is what I know, it's my passion. I have built my life now to the extent that, really, I don't need anything more in it.
"If anything I wish I had a few more days off. If something like that came, something else would have to go.
"But really I like doing the TV work, I am certainly not going to give up my horse racing business and obviously I have four kids and I want to enjoy my life.
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"At the moment I love doing my TV work, but you never know what will happen in the future."