From Wrexham to King's Lynn via Hollywood

Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney (left) Ryan Reynolds (right) have owned Wrexham football club since November 2020

King's Lynn Town's new signing Reece Hall-Johnson will bring a bit of Hollywood magic to The Walks next season.

The 30-year-old began his career at Norwich City and also played over 60 games for Wrexham - the club owned by superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

"Ryan and Rob would pop over and come to watch training or be around the place, you end up seeing them as kind of your friends and people you know," said Hall-Johnson.

The defender signed for National North side King's Lynn from London club Barnet.

Reece Hall-Johnson was playing for Wrexham when they were promoted to League Two in 2023

Hall-Johnson began his career in Norfolk with Norwich City and still regards the FA Youth Cup win in 2013 as the highlight of his career.

"The majority of us still keep in contact. We had a lot of talented players and a talented coach and manager in Neil Adams.

"He believed in us and gave us the confidence to play with freedom, so that's why I owe a lot to Norwich," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

Reece Hall-Johnson was part of the Norwich City under-18s squad who won the FA Youth Cup in 2013

After departing the Canaries, Hall-Johnson had spells at Grimsby and Northampton Town amongst others - before joining the Hollywood revolution in North Wales at Wrexham.

"After playing for Northampton, I moved to what people call 'the Hollywood club' nowadays.

"That was very interesting, very fun. I spent three years at Wrexham and absolutely loved it and the owners there are fantastic."

Hall-Johnson continued, "Everyone has seen how Ryan (Reynolds) and Rob (McElhenney) have done and it's just a testament to them that they've been able to do well with the club, so I couldn't have a bad word to say about them.

"We achieved promotion from the National League to League Two, which was really good."

Since Hall-Johnson left Wrexham, the club has had two more promotions and will compete in the Championship next season.

It's the first time the team has been in the second tier of English football since 1982.

So could Hall-Johnson's new club King's Lynn Town emulate Wrexham's rapid rise up the football pyramid?

Last season the Linnets reached the National North playoffs before losing to Chester.

The club has a new owner and a new head coach, with former Chesterfield boss James Rowe taking over from the departing Adam Lakeland.

Hall-Johnson says he is targeting another promotion to add to his CV.

"I spoke to the gaffer and he had a clear vision of where he wanted to take the club and a clear vision of what he wants to do in his career.

"That made it an easy decision for me to come to King's Lynn."

He continued: "For me, this is closer to the area where I grew up and closer to friends and family. Hopefully the fans will really like me and we can kick on and get promoted."