In the world of football, stories of triumph and heartbreak often play out on the pitch. But sometimes, the most poignant tales unfold quietly, off the field, in gestures that bridge the gap between fans and the celebrities who own their beloved clubs. Such is the story of Aiden Waller, a 15-year-old Wrexham AFC supporter from Essex, whose memory has been immortalized in a touching tribute by the club’s co-owner, Ryan Reynolds.
Aiden Waller’s journey with Wrexham began long before his passing in February 2025. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer, three years earlier, Aiden faced his illness with a combination of humor, spirit, and unwavering support for his favorite football team. According to BBC, Aiden’s mother, Sarah Waller, described him as the “strongest, bravest, most inspiring kid I’ve ever met,” recalling how he battled each setback with remarkable resilience.
After Aiden’s death, the Waller family was invited by Ryan Reynolds to scatter some of his ashes on the hallowed turf of Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground. The gesture, deeply personal and unexpected, was just one of many acts of kindness extended to the family by Reynolds and his fellow co-owner, Rob McElhenney. As Sarah told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, “He phoned me the day after the funeral and said can we spread the ashes on the pitch. He sneakily put a bit in the goal. His plan was to preserve that piece of pitch for Aiden.”
But as the new football season approached, practical realities intervened. The pitch needed to be replaced, threatening to erase the physical connection between Aiden and the club he loved. Determined to honor Aiden’s memory, Reynolds orchestrated a remarkable solution: he arranged for a section of the turf where Aiden’s ashes had been scattered to be carefully preserved within a glass plaque. The plaque, inscribed with the words “Aiden Waller: Wrexham legend. Friend to Deadpool. Then. Now. Forever,” was presented to the family at Wrexham’s match against West Brom on August 23, 2025.
The moment, as described by Sarah Waller, was nothing short of emotional. “They presented it to us in a lovely glass case with text on the top that says 'Aiden Waller: Wrexham legend. Friend to Deadpool. Then. Now. Forever.' The wording he put on was absolutely beautiful,” she told BBC. She added that Reynolds had changed the inscription multiple times to ensure it was perfect, demonstrating a level of care and attention that went far beyond a simple gesture. “He did say to us that it was special for him just to give it to us,” Sarah recalled. “It is beautiful. If we do the lighting correctly we’re able to create a rainbow out of it, which is something Ryan suggested.”
For the Wallers, the plaque is more than a commemorative object—it’s a tangible link to both Aiden and the Wrexham community. “Although we are from Essex, it’s just something that will allow us to have a constant connection with Wrexham,” Sarah said, reflecting on the profound sense of belonging the family has found with the club. The relationship between the Wallers and the club’s Hollywood owners has blossomed into a genuine friendship, one that Aiden himself would have treasured. “Aiden would be ecstatic with the relationship the family have with Reynolds. He would have been so surprised,” Sarah shared with WalesOnline.
The Wallers’ experiences with Wrexham’s owners have been marked by warmth and humility. “We were welcomed like family. It was just little simple acts of kindness that they didn’t have to do. It made me want to cry,” Sarah told WalesOnline. She recounted how Ryan Reynolds invited Aiden down to the front row of seats to sit next to him during a game, and how Rob McElhenney and his family were equally gracious. “We couldn’t fault any of them—they were all so down to earth.”
Reynolds’ appreciation for the club’s supporters is evident not only in private gestures but also in public acknowledgments. He posted photos on his Instagram account in March 2025, showing the family spreading Aiden’s ashes on the pitch, and later shared another image of the plaque presentation in August. As Sarah noted, “It just goes to show how much appreciation Reynolds has for the fans, that he’s willing to put this much effort in making sure we are heard.”
The story of Aiden Waller and the extraordinary tribute from Ryan Reynolds has resonated far beyond the confines of Wrexham. It’s a reminder that the bonds forged through sport can transcend geography, age, and even the boundaries between life and death. For the Wallers, the friendship they’ve formed with Reynolds and the club’s leadership is a cherished gift. “[Ryan’s] friendship alone has been cherished by us and Aiden was so grateful for it,” Sarah told WalesOnline. “To get this was just so unexpected and he put so much thought into it to make it absolutely perfect. He actually said it was just as special for him to give it to us.”
The plaque itself, with its carefully chosen inscription, stands as a testament to Aiden’s spirit and the impact he had on those around him. Sarah reflected on the legacy her son leaves behind: “The way people thought of Aiden and the friends he had that he never knew, he didn’t know how special he truly was. There is no words for his character.”
As the new football season unfolds and the Racecourse Ground’s fresh turf welcomes a new chapter in Wrexham’s storied history, the memory of Aiden Waller endures—not just in glass and grass, but in the hearts of all who knew him, and in the actions of those who cared enough to ensure he would never be forgotten.
