Several of the national tabloids have recently run articles about which football clubs have "the sexiest fans". Yes, apparently there really is some kind of ranking for this. Sadly, the exact methodology for the "research" hasn't been published; in fact, we haven't even been able to confirm who conducted the poll that allegedly informed the scoring.
Although we're not sure how robust the "sexiest fans" science is, the accompanying celebrity photos did get us thinking and we were moved to wonder which football clubs had the most famous fans - sexy or otherwise - so we looked into it.
The following information is the result of our genuine research efforts and is offered in good faith but, as you may have noticed, we live in a time of fake news and conspiracy theories. The last thing we would want to do is traumatise a celeb by wrongly attributing their football loyalties. After all, to some people football is a matter of life or death but, as legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly said, it's much more important than that. With that in mind, please allow for the possibility of error.
Arsenal
Those who (reportedly) count themselves among the Arsenal faithful include former Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow; current Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer; former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and veteran rock singer Mick Jagger. The world of acting (thespian rather than political) is also riddled with Gunners fans: Colin Firth, Idris Elba and Mark Strong are all reportedly followers of the club, as are comedians Dara O’Briain, Matt Lucas and Alan Davies.
And then there's Piers Morgan, who doesn't quite qualify as a comedian.
Aston Villa
This famous midlands team's heavy duty fans are believed to include several members of seminal metal band Black Sabbath, former PM David Cameron, Prince William and spectacularly non-local lad Tom Hanks.
Brentford
Veering south to London, we encounter Brentford FC. The Bees are supported by Eastenders actor Dean Gaffney, keyboard wizard and self-confessed grumpy old man Rick Wakeman and Bluetones guitarist Adam Devlin. Former BBC director-general Greg Dyke is not only a supporter, he was club chairman from 2006 to 2013.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Unsurprisingly, Albion can claim ex-Housemartins and Beats International bass player, DJ, producer and multi-pseudonymous recording artist Norman Cook AKA Fatboy Slim as one of their own. Broadcasters Des Lynam, Jon Snow and Jamie Theakston allegedly support the club, as does former weatherman and notorious hurricane-denier Michael Fish.
Chelsea
The Blues have quite a mix of fans. British actors Natalie Dormer and Michael Caine reportedly follow the club, as does American movie star Will Ferrell. From the world of music, Chelsea can claim producer and DJ Mark Ronson, singer Ellie Goulding and Blur vocalist and Gorillaz co-creator Damon Albarn. Sweary chef Gordon Ramsey and TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson are also reported to be supporters.
Crystal Palace
Famous Palace fans include broadcaster Susanna Reid, marathon-running comedian Eddie Izzard, actor Bill Nighy and The Inbetweeners stars Simon Bird and James Buckley.
Everton
The Toffees have a pretty impressive cast list of fans. As well as James Bond's boss, Dame Judi Dench (who is also a patron of the club's charity), Everton's supporters include Nicola Roberts from Girls Aloud, tennis legend John McEnroe and TV personality Amanda Holden. Until his recent passing, the late, much lamented Pogues frontman and songwriting genius Shane McGowan was also a fan.
Fulham
Cottagers fans about whom we're reasonably convinced include actors Hugh Grant and Shaun Williamson (who will forever be better known as Barry from Eastenders). The late Keith Chegwin was a supporter and there are rumours that rapper Eminem and Aussie actor Margot Robbie are also fans. And we couldn't forget novelist and game show host Richard Osman, who is pretty much a one-man, pro-Fulham propaganda machine.
Leeds United
Leeds has a diverse celeb fanbase. Members of rock band The Kaiser Chiefs follow the club, as do ex-cricketer Nasser Hussain, Chinese cookery icon Ken Hom, DJ Chris Moyles, former Labour leader Ed Miliband and grumpy former University Challenge host Jeremy Paxman.
We can neither confirm nor deny rumours that antipodean actor Russell Crowe and American rock singer Jon Bon Jovi support Leeds.
Leicester City
Famously nice ex-footballer and crisp-muncher Gary Lineker, veteran pop singer Engelbert Humperdinck and Kasabian guitarist Sergio Pizzorno are all Foxes followers.
Liverpool
While Take That's Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams are counted as Liverpool fans, the club seems to have attracted a disproportionate number of celeb followers from overseas, including the late Nelson Mandela, American actors Angelina Jolie and Samuel L Jackson, basketball star LeBron James and Dr Dre, the former NWA rapper who produced records for Eminem and Snoop Dogg.
Luton Town
Our local club is supported by singer, songwriter, DJ and radio presenter Cerys Matthews. Cerys is Welsh but her husband, music producer and manager Steve Abbott, is a Luton lad and he seems to have converted her to the Hatters cause. One of Luton's most famous fans was, of course, the late Eric Morecambe, taller half of the iconic comedy duo Morecambe and Wise. TV presenter Nick Owen is also a fan.
Manchester City
The old gag claims that Manchester City is the team for supporters who actually live near Manchester. Their red rivals may be first choice for many long-distance fans who probably don't even know where Manchester is, but City have their own fair share of non-local support. Comedian Alan Carr, Knight Rider and Baywatch star David Hasselhoff and Bond actor Timothy Dalton for starters. Of course, many of their famous fans are native to the area, including Noel and Liam Gallagher, the late Joy Division vocalist Ian Curtis and Smiths guitar-jangler Johnny Marr. City can also lay part-claim to Rick Wakeman: although Wakeman is a Brentford fan at heart, he shares the love around a few clubs and spent plenty of time at Manchester City games when he was living on the Isle of Man.
Manchester United
The Manchester team famed for being popular with people who wouldn't have the first clue how to find their home ground has many fans amongst overseas celebs. Boxer Floyd Mayweather, actor Megan Fox, and singer Justin Timberlake are reportedly red as is Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.
A little closer to home (but still not local), Radiohead's Thom Yorke, broadcaster Eamonn Holmes, and rappers Stormzy and Dave support the club. Still, at least Steve Coogan was born in Manchester.
Newcastle United
The Magpies can boast plenty of home-grown support: Singer and bass player Sting, Girls Aloud and solo singer Cheryl, musician Sam Fender and the unavoidable Ant and Dec are all reportedly fans. Further afield, stentorian actor Brian Blessed, TV presenter Gabby Logan, musician James Bay support United.
Oh, and Tony Blair.
Nottingham Forest
James Dean Bradfield, guitarist and vocalist of the Manic Street Preachers, cricketer Stuart Broad and fashion designer Paul Smith are all Forest fans.
Sheffield United
The Blades have a pretty impressive list of fans from near and far. Actor Sean Bean, Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott, Olympian Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Monty Python star and famous TV globetrotter Michael Palin, Yorkshire and England batsman Joe Root and former British welterweight boxing champion Kell Brook are all Sheffield natives. Housemartins and Beautiful South singer Paul Heaton is a Cheshire lad, "Beast" Mark Labbett of The Chase is from Devon while Red Hot Chilli Peppers bass virtuoso Flea provides his long-distance support all the way from the USA.
Southampton
Coldplay drummer Will Champion, model Lucy Pinder, TV conservationist and naturalist Chris Packham and R&B/UK garage singer Craig David are all reportedly all supporters of The Saints.
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs have quite the array of celebrity fans, including footballer turned Hollywood actor Vinnie Jones, TV news legend Sir Trevor McDonald, comedian Michael McIntyre and chart-dominating singer Adele. One of the club's most vocal cheerleaders is rapper AJ Tracey, who frequently mentions Spurs on his social media.
On the other hand, irascible businessman Lord Sugar may be one of Spurs' most controversial supporters. The apprentice-firing investor owned a majority stake in the club from 1991 until 2001, and retained some shares until 2007. After a contentious tenure as owner there was some bad feeling when he vacated. However, Sugar remains a supporter and still attends Spurs games despite once describing his time at the club as a waste of his life!
West Ham United
There's no denying that West Ham has one of the most impressive celebrity fan lists in our round-up. Past and present Hammers fans include Psycho and The Birds director Alfred Hitchcock, the late Len Goodman from Strictly Come Dancing, actors Ray Winstone, Danny Dyer and Keira Knightley, Monty Python and Fawlty Towers star John Cleese, former American wrestling pro Triple H, and actor and TV presenter James Corden.
Perhaps the two biggest surprises are the inclusion of former two-term POTUS Barack Obama and Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters fame!
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Last but not least, Wolves’ fans can count plenty of famous names among their numbers. Singer Beverley Knight, Monty Python member Eric Idle and Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant for a start. Plant has followed Wolves since he was a child and is an honorary vice-president of the club.
Those interested in more cultured pursuits may be swayed by the fact that Enigma Variations and Pomp and Circumstance composer Sir Edward Elgar was not above cheering for Wolverhampton!
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