If you are a substitute sitting in the dugout waiting for your opportunity to shine, what is going to give you the greatest impetus? It would probably be seeing Jessica Alba in the stands with your name on the back of her footy jersey. Just a shame she doesn’t like football. Sport.co.uk takes a look at a few Hollywood A-listers who bring a bit of sparkle to the stands.
10) Anthony Minghella (Portsmouth)
Even though Portsmouth are having a torrid time of it at the moment propping up the Premier League it might cheer them up to know that Anthony Minghella, late director of Oscar winning The English Patient, was a Pompey fan. I said it might, I never said it would.
9) Jude Law (Tottenham)
Every lady wants to be with him and every man wants to hit him, the star of Alfie is a Lilywhite through and through. Others fans include Ray Liotta
8) Hugh Grant (Fulham)
With Hugh’s rakish good looks and bumbling manner, he must be a Cottager. Hopefully he won’t get caught committing any lewd acts in the stands though. Other fanatics include Pierce Brosnan
7) Samuel L. Jackson (Liverpool)
Sammy L. became a lifelong Red after filming The 51st State in 2001. The Granddaddy of cool has come to Rafa’s aid on more than one occasion by delivering stirring speeches of Biblical proportions in the dressing room, his favourite being Ezekiel 25:17. Others devotees include Angelina Jolie, Billy Bob-Thornton, Mike Myers
6) Russell Brand (West Ham)
The promiscuous author of the esteemed My Booky Wook is a Hammer, who would have guessed it? If his love for West Ham is anywhere near his love of the ladies then I think we may have found Upton Park’s number one fan. Others aficionados include John Cleese, Kiera Knightly, Ray Winstone, Elijah Wood, Danny Dyer
5) Brad Pitt (Manchester United)
Mr Hollywood himself plumps for the Red Devils, although his allegiances may change if he finds a more attractive team. Others enthusiasts include Nicole Kidman, Steve Coogan
4) Will Ferrel (Chelsea)
Funny man Ferrel brings a much needed bit of cheer to the London-based team. He is so besotted by the Blues that he even wears their team shirt while doing TV interviews. You stay classy Stamford Bridge. Others followers include Sir Michael Caine, Owen Wilson, Guy Ritchie, Charlize Theron, Ashton Kutcher
3) Kevin Costner (Arsenal)
Costner’s love of the Gooners started when he was invited to Highbury to watch a match while over in Britain filming Robin Hood. He was so blown away by the atmosphere and passion of the supporters that he has remained an Arsenal enthusiast ever since. Others admirers include Matt Lucas, Colin Firth, Michael Moore, Freddie Price Jr., Spike Lee
2) Sylvester Stallone (Everton)
In 2007 Sly showed his support for the blue half of Merseyside by attending a match at Goodison Park. He held an Everton scarf aloft while jigging about from foot to foot Rocky style in front of over 30,000 screaming Toffees.
1) Tom Hanks (Aston Villa)
The star of legendary films like Forrest Gump and Saving Private Ryan is a hardcore Villain. Why one might ask? “I’m big on Aston Villa because the name is so sweet, it sounds like a lovely spa”. Reasoning Robert Langdon would be proud of.