A York-born goalkeeper is firmly on course for a Hollywood ending to his season.

Rory Watson, 27, is celebrating promotion with Wrexham, who confirmed their return to Sky Bet League Two after a 15-year absence following a 3-1 victory at home to play-off chasers Boreham Wood on Saturday.

Initially joining the club, co-owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, in August as cover for the injured Christian Dibble, Watson has impressed Wrexham’s Hollywood owners enough to have twice been offered a contract extension, the most recent of which was handed out in January.

Despite being behind regular first-choice goalkeeper Mark Howard, and now former Premier League shot-stopper Ben Foster, in the pecking order, the Yorkshireman is enjoying his time in Wales, admitting that “it’s good to be part of the goalkeeping group, and that he is enjoying making sure that the pair are “on their toes.”

The former Tadcaster Grammar School pupil’s route into goalkeeping has proved to be an unconventional one.

It was only by chance that he was asked to swap his poachers’ finish for goalkeeper gloves while playing for Bishopthorpe White Rose as a 10-year-old, impressing the Leeds United scouts enough that day to earn a schoolboy scholarship at Elland Road.

York Press: Bishopthorpe's Rory Watson after signing his Hull City contract in 2012.Bishopthorpe's Rory Watson after signing his Hull City contract in 2012. (Image: Newsquest Archive)

Released after being deemed not to have been tall enough for the position, he then agreed a scholarship, and then senior deal, with Hull City.

Spells at Gainsborough Trinity and North Ferriby United followed, before he was released by Scunthorpe United in 2022, having made 85 appearances for the Iron.