'This isn't Real Madrid' – Wrexham and Ryan Reynolds help Charlton get his big salary – but there's one thing the fans hate

Charlton Athletic will welcome their biggest crowd in five years for their League One clash against Hollywood side Wrexham.

But while Addicks fans can look forward to over 22,000 spectators at The Valley, a portion of them sat with their heads bowed for part of the game day.

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The Valley, which has a capacity of 27,111, last welcomed a sell-out crowd at a Charlton game in 2019 when they hosted Doncaster Rovers in the League One play-off semi-final.

Charlton were once among the best in the Premier League, selling out every week. But since relegation in 2007 and the league's collapse, home attendance numbers have slowly fallen, with the average this season sitting at under 15,000.

The YouTubers “The Sidemen” previously held their charity games there, which also took place in front of a full house in south London.

Now that Wrexham is coming to town, ticket sales for Saturday's game have increased significantly.

Wrexham was taken over by Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds and It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia creator and actor Rob McElhenney in 2020, and fans are obsessed with following the club's rise.

After back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One, Wrexham currently sit second in the third tier, four points behind leaders Birmingham City, who still have a game in hand.

Meanwhile, under the management of former Luton, Stoke and Southampton coach Nathan Jones, Charlton lie in 11th place, one point outside the play-off places.

Saturday's attendance will not be anywhere near League One's attendance record, with Sunderland attracting 46,039 spectators in the 2018/19 season.

Still, it's clear people are coming to south-east London specifically for the occasion, which is likely to feature in Wrexham's Disney+ docuseries Welcome to Wrexham – although it's not yet clear whether Reynolds or McElhenney will be in attendance.

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However, fans can see Mark Goldbridge, Manchester United's content creator. The YouTuber will do a live broadcast from the Charlton TV studio, similar to how he does at Red Devils games.

While the financial benefit will be great for Charlton and a thrilling game could see some of their new entrants return, one aspect of the day has left a section of the Addicks in turmoil.

On Thursday, pictures of the Charlton club's shop went viral on social media, with Charlton and Wrexham half scarves visible on the wall.

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In response, one fan wrote on the right thing.”

“I’m sorry, but what is the club doing? This half and half scarf is sold in our club shop,” said another. “We’re playing against Wrexham, not Real Madrid.

“We better win on Saturday.”

It was the final straw for one fan, who wrote on X: “For the life of me I’m not going on Saturday. That’s what I did.”

Former Charlton captain George Dobson will return to The Valley this weekend following his summer departure.

Ex-Addicks Elliot Lee and Eoghan O'Connell as well as former manager Phil Parkinson will also return to their former place of work.