Reynolds and McElhenney aim Spygate dig at Southampton with advert skit

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FT Desk

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have poked fun at the whole Spygate drama from the end of last season with a new advert for Firefox.

Before the Championship semi-final playoff between Southampton and Middlesbrough, an intern analyst was spotted spying on Boro's training session.

Middlesbrough train in Rockliffe Hall in Hurworth-on-Tees, just outside Darlington. While other teams may have a training ground away from prying eyes, this one is in full view of the public as it's part of a luxury spa and golf resort built by club owner, Steve Gibson.

The Southampton performance analyst brazenly stood at the top of a small hill and began a video call, live streaming the Boro training before a Boro member of staff approached him.

He ran away, got changed in the dressing room inside the golf resort, and quickly left the premises.

However, CCTV and a description from the Boro member of staff allowed the perperator to be identified on Southampton's staff roster on their website.

The club were found guilty of improper sporting conduct and removed from the playoff final. Middlesbrough were reinstated but lost to Hull anyway.

The only cookies I prefer are at halftime. @Wrexham_AFC @firefox pic.twitter.com/mvZtGLwL6e

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) September 17, 2026

Hollywood A-listers Reynolds and McElhenney have released a new advert for their shirt sponsor, Firefox, which details the internet application's online security.

The Deadpool star says: "Today, for no particular reason, we want to talk about the importance of privacy."

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator McElhenney adds: "Specifically, how to prevent spies from seeing what you're doing."

Discussing online internet safety, Reynolds jokes about searching for "how to run a football club" before the pair together declare privacy is "important to people everywhere", specifically naming Middlesbrough, Oxford and Ipswich.

Reynolds finishes by saying: "Refreshing, huh? An organisation that actually respects your privacy."

BBC Sport reports that some EFL figures believe the video was in slightly "bad taste."

This isn't the first time Wrexham have made an online jibe at Southampton over Spygate, as when looking ahead to their upcoming fixtures, the club had written "check training ground" along with an asterisk that clarified "for unauthorised visitors."

Wrexham finished just outside the playoffs last season and are coming off a damaging 6-0 defeat to West Ham last week in the new campaign.