Ryan Reynolds has paid tribute to Notts County CEO Jason Turner after he died suddenly at the age of 50 on Thursday night.
As co-owner of Wrexham, Reynolds' club are battling Notts County for the National League title this season but put his allegiances aside to send "love and condolences" to Turner's grieving family. "Just finished reading more about Jason Turner," the Canadian actor, 46, wrote on Twitter. "Gone way too soon. Love and condolences to his family and the top-notch organisation of Notts County."
A tweet from Wrexham echoed Reynolds' sentiment, saying: "All at Wrexham AFC are so sorry to hear this news. We enjoyed a great working relationship with Jason, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and all at Notts County at this time."
Turner had been in the top role at Meadow Lane, which he described as a "privilege," for seven years before his passing, devoting himself to the Nottingham-based club having previously worked for Bath City, Newport County, Plymouth Argyle and Cardiff City. "We are devastated to report the loss of our much-loved chief executive, Jason Turner," a club statement read. "He was an outstanding CEO who was respected across football."
In a separate statement, Turner's parents, Jen and David, said: "Words cannot describe our sadness following the loss of our beloved son, Jason. We know this feeling will be shared by all of his colleagues and his many, many friends. While we come to terms with this news, we ask for our family's privacy to be respected."
Notts County captain Kyle Cameron also described Turner as a "great man." "He would bend over backwards for anyone and everyone involved in the club," the defender noted. "I'm lost for words and heartbroken by the news. Thank you for everything Jason you will be missed greatly by everyone."
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Cameron and his team-mates will be hoping to honour Turner's legacy by achieving promotion back to the Football League over the coming weeks. The Magpies, who are managed by up-and-coming boss Luke Williams, 42, currently sit top of the fifth tier level on points with Reynolds' Wrexham, who boast two games in hand and only trail on goal difference heading into the final stretch of what's been a neck-and-neck title race.
In May 2019, Notts County - renowned as one of English football's most historic clubs - dropped out of the EFL for the first time. In a statement of their own after Turner's passing, the EFL said: "Jason was a friend of the EFL and to the many people who worked with him across the organisation and our clubs. It is deeply sad news and we extend our thoughts to his family, friends and colleagues."
