Most Famous Fan at All 92 League Clubs in English Football

Football is regarded as the world’s most popular sport, with billions of fans around the globe, ranging from grassroots to the graces of the Premier League. ‘The beautiful game’ encompasses fans from all backgrounds, from celebrities to your average supporter, all connected by their shared love of the game.

From the top flight of English football to the fourth tier in League Two, each of the top 92 clubs in the country possess some A-list supporters in their ranks, who regularly attend games and have publicly declared their love for their respective clubs before reaching notoriety.

Celebrity or not, each fan has their own most cherished team. In this article, every club’s most famous supporter has been researched, from the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two.

Premier League

Most football fans that pick a traditional ‘big six’ team are, at some stage, accused of being a glory hunter. But for Oasis frontmen Liam and Noel Gallagher, they lived and breathed Manchester City during their worst days, sharing their love for the Cityzens alongside late boxer Ricky Hatton.

Elsewhere, famous actors, including Colin Firth and Anne Hathaway, have pledged their allegiance to Arsenal, but Luther star Idris Elba earns the right as the world’s most famous fan of the Gunners. The charismatic actor has previously appeared in kit launches for Arsenal and is an avid attender at the Emirates.

There are question marks over who Dua Lipa really supports, but while she has shown love to both the Gunners and Liverpool in the past, it’s reported she prefers the former, though the LeBron James-supported Premier League champions’ memorable moments to the backdrop of “One Kiss” makes everyone at Anfield wish it was the other way around.

When it comes to Manchester United – England’s biggest club of recent decades – there is no shortage of A-list supporters. Harry Styles, Olympic world-record holder Usain Bolt, Stormzy, Rory McIlroy, Conor McGregor, Luke Littler and Tyson Fury are among the most notable names. Meanwhile, Chelsea – their arch-rivals during the Jose Mourinho era – can count Michelin-star chef Gordon Ramsay among their fanbase.

American football icon J.J. Watt is perhaps the most high-profile figure associated with Burnley, but despite having a lower global profile, radio presenter Jordan North may lay claim to being the club’s true most famous fan. His repeated references to Turf Moor as his “happy place” during ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ helped endear him to viewers as he finished runner-up in 2020.

Speaking of ITV’s hit series, presenters Ant and Dec are both avid Newcastle United supporters, with the Geordie duo rarely hiding their allegiance. Margot Robbie may not have a deep-rooted connection to Fulham, but with Craven Cottage offering a more upmarket matchday experience, her presence in west London feels fitting. Likewise, WWE legend Triple H’s affection for West Ham aligns perfectly with the club’s gritty identity.

Championship

Celebrity ownership is in high supply across England’s second tier, with NFL legend Tom Brady a minority owner at Birmingham City, and Hollywood duo Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds investing in Wrexham’s rags-to-riches story. However, none of those mentioned can actually be confirmed to support the clubs they own, with Jasper Carrott the second-city club’s most well-known fan and Elf star Will Ferrell recently spotted in and around Wrexham to show his support – though he’s also curiously been spotted at Portsmouth a fair few times too.

It may not be widely known, but Coventry has a strong recent link to music, with Tom Grennan – the voice behind the earworm Gillette adverts – among their most famous supporters, enjoying the club’s push for promotion as they sit six points clear at the top of the Championship at Christmas. Louis Theroux could have chosen any London side, but opted for QPR, while Oxford United may wish their high-profile fan Richard Branson would dip into his pockets as they battle relegation.

Among the most recognisable names, it doesn’t get much bigger than Gary Lineker in English football. The former BBC Match of the Day host and Walkers poster boy is an avid Leicester City supporter – though that loyalty has been tested as the club has become something of a yo-yo side.

Elton John supports, owns, and even has a stand named after him at Watford, Ed Sheeran’s backing and front-of-shirt sponsorship of Ipswich Town is well documented, but who could have imagined Hugh Jackman – Wolverine himself – choosing Norwich City as his club?

League One

In League One, there are several standout figures from British music who support clubs, with Robbie Williams of Port Vale arguably the cream of the crop. He remains the UK’s best-selling solo artist, and his 18 Brit Awards make for a far shinier trophy cabinet than his beloved football club could ever dream of.

Elsewhere, Zayn Malik is a devoted Bradford City fan, his former One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson supports Doncaster Rovers, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin follows Exeter City, and Richard Ashcroft is an avid Wigan Athletic supporter.

Comedian Ricky Gervais often draws inspiration from Reading when writing his self-deprecating jokes and stories, with the Royals recently hit by yet another winding-up order as they continue to suffer under disarrayed ownership. Peter Kay has likely experienced a similar relationship with Bolton Wanderers, who have spent the past decade coming to terms with the fact they are a long way from the Premier League standard they once enjoyed.

Mike Tyson unified the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles between 1987 and 1990, becoming the first heavyweight to hold all three major belts simultaneously after already making history as the youngest heavyweight champion ever. Born and raised in New York, he admitted he had never heard of Peterborough United before a pre-season visit in 2010, but still donned the shirt and voiced his support for the club regardless.

League Two

Walsall, like many clubs in League Two, are not exactly blessed with A-list supporters, but they have enjoyed their fair share of publicity thanks to one particularly dedicated fan. From David Hasselhoff to Mike Tyson, and Joan Collins to leading politicians, Mark Dabbs has made it his mission to turn the world’s most famous people into supporters of the Saddlers.

Every time he meets a celebrity, he poses with them holding a matchday scarf, taking his quest to such lengths that he even has a photo of himself in the back of a DeLorean with Christopher Lloyd. Antarctica is the only continent yet to feature in his collection, which is a far more interesting tale than the fact that Pete Waterman is technically Walsall’s most famous follower.

Elsewhere in the lower leagues, familiar football voice John Motson was a Barnet fan, while Maya Jama – best known for Love Island and The Masked Singer – can very occasionally be spotted at the Memorial Ground cheering on Bristol Rovers. It also would not be a surprise if Colchester United’s matchday playlist is immaculate, given Steve Lamacq is their most well-known supporter.

Accrington Stanley’s most famous association stems from the iconic 1980s Milk Marketing Board advert, which may well have influenced Storage Hunters’ Jesse McClure to choose them as his team.

Warwick Davis supports Cambridge United, a fitting match for his intelligence, while Salford City are famously owned by members of Manchester United’s Class of ’92 – though their celebrity support beyond ownership remains limited.