Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's true colours with Wrexham star who broke down in warm-up

Ex-Wrexham star Ben Tozer has spoken candidly about the moment he was overcome with emotion and cried during a pre-match warm-up following his father's death. The former club captain valiantly led the Red Dragons to a momentous promotion from the National League in 2023.

His proud dad Keith witnessed him hoist the trophy at the Racecourse Ground after a triumphant 3-1 victory over Boreham Wood in April. However, Keith tragically passed away suddenly from leukaemia just months later, leaving Tozer heartbroken

Despite his profound grief, Tozer returned to training the very next day before soon embarking on Wrexham's pre-season tour in the USA in July. During a warm-up before a friendly match against Chelsea in North Carolina, Tozer's sorrow surfaced as he wept openly.

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He has since opened up about that painful time, revealing the critical support he received from club physio Kevin Mulholland, as well as owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, and manager Phil Parkinson, that helped him begin to process his father's sudden passing.

Discussing how he coped with his loss in a forthcoming episode of the podcast, Tozer said: "My dad had just died, but I came back the next day after it happened, and just tried to be normal. I didn't want any sympathy whatsoever.

"I probably should have gone down to the gaffer and said, 'Can you take me out of the firing line,' but I suppose a bit of pride kicks in. After it happened, I went straight to America, and we played against Chelsea.

"I was crying when I was doing the warm-up. I'm thinking, 'Wow, this is raw.' We then played in Philadelphia on the last day before we came home, and I couldn't sleep the night before.

"I was up all night, because we were away in America, and it was almost like I'd run away from it. I went down to breakfast, sat at the table and I was a bit quiet. I walked off as if I was going to the toilet.

"But I went outside and I just completely broke down. Kev, the physio, saw me and had a little chat with me. The gaffer was great. He gave me four days off to go back to Plymouth so that I could see my grandma and uncle."

Tozer praised the support network provided by his club, adding: "It's not just the gaffer, it's Humphrey [Ker], Ryan and Rob, they're all brilliant. They're all there if you need them. It's more the fact that they're open to me ringing them or texting them and saying how I feel."

Despite battling personal loss, Tozer helped Wrexham secure another promotion from League Two during the 2023/24 season. However, he admitted that his father's passing made it difficult to fully enjoy football.

Tozer said: "I wasn't right throughout the whole season. I was trying to fight it but it catches up with you. I was so honest with the gaffer and it's hard because it's true, but my flame for playing died when my dad died.

"With the way that I play a game, I need to be fully focused, pumped up and completely at it. I was going out for games, and I was looking in the stand, looking for my dad and he wasn't there.

"A bit of me died and it's quite sad, because my dad was there for my first ever game. He was the one who I played for more than I played for myself."

Tozer was released by Wrexham when his contract expired in May 2024. He had a stint at Forest Green Rovers before announcing his retirement from football last month.

Reflecting on his departure from Wrexham, Tozer said: "I felt like it wouldn't have been right, even if Wrexham offered me a contract then, for me to stay. I wanted to be the best version of myself.

"I spoke to the gaffer afterwards and we had a good chat. It was right for both parties to separate and it's worked out for the best. I wish nothing but the best for the club."

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