The whistle had barely blown on the 3-0 win over Shrewsbury that took Wrexham top of the table when Hollywood A-lister Rob McElhenney sent a social media message to NFL legend Tom Brady: “See you next Monday. Should be a banger.”

In one sentence, more than four million global followers were alerted to probably the best publicised League One game ever.

Birmingham v Wrexham is being described as ‘the Hollywood derby’.

Rotherham manager Steve Evans has likened playing against them to being a combination of Real Madrid and the Harlem Globetrotters.

McElhenney and Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds bought Wrexham in 2020. Brady has a 3.3% stake in Birmingham, who were bought by Knighthead Capital Management in 2023.

It was semi-seriously suggested Monday’s game could be played in the United States to maximise commercial potential. The EFL declined.

“It is interesting the way football has moved and changed,” Birmingham chief executive Garry Cook tells BBC Sport.

“Here we are in League One and this is the only game on TV on Monday. We sold out of tickets very quickly.

“Tom Brady is our iconic superstar and of course Mr Reynolds and Mr McElhenney represent Wrexham. But I think the most important thing about that is for the EFL, it’s a great night. It puts them on the map as well.

“The world will watch Wrexham v Birmingham at St Andrew’s, Knighthead Park,” says Cook. “That is the compelling issue.”