The NFL won bragging rights over Hollywood’s finest on Monday evening – at least in a manner of speaking – and David Beckham was on hand to watch the contest unfold.
The former Manchester United and England midfielder was accompanied by son Romeo during an appearance at St. Andrew’s, where home-side Birmingham City faced Wrexham in a hotly contested League One match.
Beckham, 49, was on hand to support legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady, whose minority ownership and role as chairman of a new advisory board at Birmingham was confirmed in 2023.
And his appearance in the stands alongside Brady, 47, with whom he shares a close friendship, appeared to work its magic on the pitch, with the home side beating Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s co-owned Wrexham 3-1 on the night.
While Reynolds missed Monday’s game, actor and producer McElhenney, 47, watched a dismal showing from his Welsh club after flying to the United Kingdom shortly after attending the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles.
Birmingham City co-owner Tom Brady (left) was joined by David Beckham (centre) and his son Romeo (left) for the League One side’s victory over Wrexham at St. Andrew’s on Monday night
Beckham was on hand to support close friend Brady , whose minority ownership and role as chairman of a new advisory board at Birmingham was confirmed in 2023
Beckham arrived alongside Romeo, 22, whose fleeting football career came to an end last month following brief spells with MLS Next Pro franchise Inter Miami II and Premier League club Brentford.
Brady was in good spirits as he faced X-rated taunts from Wrexham’s travelling supporters.
The NFL legend gave a thumbs-up as fans shouted ‘who the f***ing hell are you?’ in his direction.
Stansfield was Birmingham City’s superhero after the striker, League One’s most expensive player at £20million after Blues smashed the transfer record, scored a brace to move them level on points with leaders Wrexham.
The division’s record signing drew the home side level on 22 minutes when he reacted quickest to turn home a loose ball in the box before his superb guided header on 52 minutes completed the turnaround.
That came after Jack Marriott put Wrexham into the lead after just three minutes with a deflected effort only for Tomoki Iwata to complete the scoring with a superb strike from 25-yards out on 59 minutes.
Birmingham captain Krystian Bielik saw red on 86 minutes after picking up two yellow cards in the space of five minutes as Blues held on to move joint top of the table.
Wrexham remain at the summit on goal difference despite slipping to their first defeat of the season while although second-placed Birmingham have a game in-hand.
The game marked the first league meeting between the two clubs in 29 years and a pre-match lights show ramped up an already electric atmosphere at St Andrew’s as the division’s two title favourites went head-to-head with stars including Beckham, Tom Wagner and McElhenney in attendance.
Brady was in good spirits as he faced X-rated taunts from Wrexham’s travelling supporters
He arrived alongside Romeo, whose fleeting football career came to an end last month following brief spells with Inter Miami II and Brentford
Brady later thanked Beckham for ‘teaching him’ some colourful terrace chants following the lively encounter at St. Andrew’s.
Taking to Instagram, he wrote: ‘Thanks for teaching me how to sing at a football match @davidbeckham. Can’t repeat most of what was said.’
McElhenney had previously confirmed Beckham’s unexpected attendance with social media followers over the weekend.
‘Directly after the Emmys I’m hopping on a plane and going out to Birmingham, England, to watch Wrexham play Tom Brady’s team, Birmingham City,’ he told Instagram followers.
‘”We’re not legally allowed to bet on the games but we have fun, we have social media and whatnot. I’ll be joining him and I believe Mr. David Beckham will be there as well – we should have a good time.’