English football clearly has a global following.
Those that say the Premier League is the best division in the world can have their thoughts reaffirmed when it’s seen who supports the top sides from England.
Since the league’s rebranding in 1992 it has changed from flat hats and rattles to huge wages and WAGs and with that has come a richer class of fans.
Perhaps unsurprisingly there aren’t that many celebrities pledging their allegiance to West Bromwich Albion (sorry Frank Skinner) or Sunderland, but the supposedly more glamorous sides have picked up some notable support.
Here is a break down according to the New York Times.
Arsenal
The north Londoners have changed a lot since Arsene Wenger took over in 1996, from boozy louts to a classy continental style and a move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium has seen their transition to the upper echelons completed
Fans:
Piers Morgan – Anyone who has ventured anywhere near the ever popular Morgan’s Twitter account will realise that he is a Gunners fan and will also change his mind on any given topic with immediate effect.
Jay-Z – Hip-Hop’s most prolific businessman is a fan after watching them play with Coldplay front-man Chris Martin and even flirting with the idea of investment. He can afford it after all.
Chelsea
Once the home of notorious firm the Headhunters, any Blues fan who claims that their Kensington based club is anything other than posh and rich is kidding themselves, especially since Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich began buying trophies back in 2003.
Fans:
Michael Caine – Originating from south-east London the Italian Job actor should probably support Crystal Palace – although Jose Mourinho is a much better class than Tony Pulis.
Will Ferrell – Has donned the shirt of the west Londoners with the players and has also appeared in charity matches in the UK to prove his footballing credentials.
Everton
Still in the shadow of their red rivals there is something more of a cult feeling at Goodison Park as they go about things the “right” way and don’t spend vast amounts of money – relatively speaking.
Fans:
Paul McCartney – Well the Beatles star is from Merseyside after all, although beyond that we’re not sure if the Liverpudlian would know Phil Jagielka from Leighton Baines.
Judi Dench – Despite being born in Lancashire’s rival county Yorkshire, the Dame is an avid Toffees supporter and is a patron of the club’s charity.
Liverpool
Plenty of trophies to draw in potential new fans although they have a bit of dust on them now which Brendan Rodgers is doing his very best to blow away.
Fans:
Clive Owen – Born in the east Midlands but growing up in the 1970s makes it understandable that this actor is utterly obsessed with the Reds and can often be spotted at Anfield.
Angelina Jolie – Hmm.. apparently one half of Mr and Mrs Smith – along with husband Brad Pitt – is a fan after spending loads in the club shop. That’s their answer to everything.
Manchester City
Perennial underdogs come good when Sheikh Mansour decided to plow billions into the club and now they pay their players more money than any other sports team on the planet.
Fans:
The Gallagher brothers – No one can doubt that gobby and slightly less gobby from Oasis know the words to Blue Moon and Noel has even interviewed cult City striker Mario Balotelli.
Timothy Dalton – Actually from Colwyn Bay on the north coast of Wales it’s only a short trip to Lancashire from there and you don’t get more classy than James Bond.
Manchester United
With 13 league titles in 22 years there’s plenty of non-celebrities who have jumped on the Red Devils bus all the way to success-ville. Unfortunately it’s now broken down.
Fans:
Orlando Bloom – With a name like this he’s hardly likely to be from Moss Side, but apparently Bloom loves a bit of the Theatre of Dreams.
Justin Timberlake – Unlike his fellow English fan at least the former N-Sync man has been seen at Old Trafford and was seen sporting a rather fetching United hat.
Newcastle United
It really is cold in the north east so generally only those that originate from the frozen tundra support the Magpies.
Fans:
Tony Blair – Fooled us all in the 1990s by donning a Newcastle shirt and just being a bloody good bloke. That went well.
Sting – Originates from Wallsend on Tyneside and when he’s not enjoying some tantric yoga The Police front-man likes nothing more than an afternoon at St James’ Park.
Tottenham Hotspur
Has more or less stayed the same as a club for decades – minus a few major trophies here and there – and the north London club has a fairly large following.
Fans:
Kenneth Branagh – The Northern Irish thespian is a relatively well known Spurs fan from his conversations with BBC Radio presenter and fellow supporter Simon Mayo.
Jude Law – Like Michael Caine (whom he has honoured in a remake of Alfie) Law is from south east London, but went north for his support and does actually go to White Hart Lane.
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