American television royalty, an NFL legend and a global football icon.
And yet, by the end, Rob McElhenney, Tom Brady and David Beckham were only the cameos to the top billing at St Andrew’s.
Because, as Birmingham City and Wrexham reminded us in Blues’ 3-1 victory, no-one comes to a game to look at the stands.
Yes, there was the fascination of the surreal nature of it all, the high-profile directors’ box unlike anything League One had seen before.
And few would deny the importance of the financial and ambitious drive of the owners to their respective clubs – and in somehow making a third-tier game a must-watch to audiences beyond the EFL regulars.
But, as ever with football, it is what happens on the pitch that will always create the best drama and the best headlines.
And it is how the support reacts that sucks everyone in, whether among the A-list stars or in the cheapest seats, it is the same mix of atmosphere and adrenaline. The addictive hope, the crushing blow of a comeback, the rush of getting carried away with what could be next.
It was all there at St Andrew’s. For Wrexham fans wondering if they can continue their incredible rise only to be reminded of the size of the challenge. For Birmingham fans loudly believing they can return to bigger and better things.
Football has that habit of being the great unifier.
Perhaps even more so at this level. The headliners may be used to the elite, but here in the third tier, it is all a little more raw and more raucous, a little more desperate and dreamy.
It is why Blues minority shareholder Brady, of unparalleled success in his own sport, was the same as scores of other home fans as they celebrated what already felt like a significant performance and result.
It is why Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds – only present courtesy of a video call from fellow chairman McElhenney – had to take the mocking songs in good humour.
And it is why, by the end of it, the talk was more of Jay Stansfield’s goals, of tempers boiling over, and of waiting until the ‘Hollywood’ rematch at the Racecourse in January.
Of course, this is nothing new for Wrexham.
Headlines and film crews have followed their success for some time.
Birmingham boss Chris Davies said afterwards he had not been distracted by the profile, but admitted he was pleased his players had managed to keep focus and show why their costly squad are rightly tipped to head straight back up.
They had known Brady was in town, arriving with a beige coat and gleaming smile, more west coast of America than West Midlands.
Pre-game interviews included a couple of throws of the American football as the squad completed a pre-match stroll.
Beckham, though, was somewhat of a surprise as he returned the favour to Brady, who recently attended a match at the former England captain’s MLS side Inter Miami.
Director Guy Ritchie was also due to attend, but sent his apologies on the morning of the match.
It is hard to say it did not add to the anticipation, especially with the social media rivalry between the owners – although, unsurprisingly, that turned out to be something of a ruse.
“I’ve been friends with Ryan and Rob for quite a while,” Brady said before the game having presented McElhenney with a personalised Birmingham shirt.
“I’ve seen everything they’ve done with Wrexham, and I’ve been very impressed by their commitment.
“They’re doing a lot of things the right way, they’re two humble guys, hard-working and it’s something for us all to emulate. Everyone should learn from that experience.”
Brady is not wrong, given it was only three years ago Phil Parkinson was taking charge of his first match as Wrexham manager, seven miles down the road at Solihull – where the ground’s capacity was less than the 2,200 fans who made the trip from north Wales for this game.
Welcome to Birmingham
It should not be forgotten Wrexham – and more than half of the starting side at St Andrew’s – were still playing fifth-tier football 16 months ago.
They have more than earned the right to be at this level, the club having been away from League One for nigh-on two decades.
That they have hardly put a foot wrong since the step up is testament to Parkinson’s team.
Unbeaten and good for it, it had been a dream start – but this was something of a reality check.
Even in the first 10 minutes, when a front-foot Wrexham rattled the hosts with their press and Jack Marriott’s opening goal, it had that feel of a cup tie with the early adrenaline.
After that, Birmingham just looked a cut above. Be it the moments of quality, forcing the errors, or taking away Wrexham hope, it was an example of what it will take to be at the very top of this division.
Not many will match Blues on this form, let alone a newly promoted side who for the first time found the jump a little too big. The game and the result said more about Blues than it did about Wrexham, even if Parkinson said his side could have responded better once behind. Dare you say it, Birmingham looked a Championship side in all but name.
