ANDY DIBBLE admits he was reduced to tears after Ryan Reynolds sent him a message when his son Christian departed The Racecourse earlier this year. 

Dibble senior, a former Wales international and promotion winner with Wrexham in 2002-03,  is goalkeeping coach at Accrington Stanley who host Phil Parkinson's outfit in League Two on Saturday.

Although he will be aiming to get one over his ex-club at The Crown Ground, Dibble had nothing but praise for Wrexham co-chairman Reynolds after Christian decided to leave for pastures new in January.

Christian arrived in north Wales in the summer of 2017 and although he served as backup to first-choice stopper Rob Lainton during his five-and-a-half year spell with the Reds, he was a popular figure at the club and made 61 league appearances before signing for Kidderminster Harriers.

After Dibble junior made the decision to move on, Deadpool star Reynolds quickly contacted his did to thank him for his efforts.

"When Christian left Wrexham, Ryan sent me a private message on Twitter," said Dibble, who also played for the likes of Cardiff, Manchester City and Luton in his career.

"It was fantastic and it made me feel so proud.

"Ryan was really kind, he thanked me for Christian's service to Wrexham and talked about him as a goalkeeper but more than anything, he said how proud I should be for bringing up a special son.

"It brought a bit of a tear to my eye really.

"I didn't expect somebody with his fame to message me but it meant so much to me, it was really special."

Wrexham go into Saturday's game at The Crown Ground on the back of an 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions and up to second place in League Two.

Accrington were relegated last season but currently eighth as they aim to make an immediate return to League One and Dibble is looking forward to the clash.

"Accrington will be underdogs," he added.

"We can all see how much ability Wrexham have got and they are going to be a tough team to stop but make no mistake, we will be fighting hard to get something from the game.

"We are relishing the task of a big game against Wrexham and a full-house."