Will Ferrell isn’t the first celebrity to try owning a football club
Published:
Some odd stories are trickling across the pond in recent weeks, but none more so than Hollywood star Will Ferrell becoming joint-owner of new MLS franchise Los Angeles F.C.
The Anchorman star may be familiar with glass cases of emotion, but running a football club is often more hellish than standing next to Brian Fantana and his fresh cologne.
NBA star Magic Johnson and USA women’s football hero Mia Hamm are also in on the venture, which will be kicking-off in 2018.
Ferrel will do well to do his research on previous celebrity football owners, with some going on to enjoy (blackbeard’s) delight while in charge, though others endured difficulties to rival Great Odin’s Raven…
Elton John –Watford
Arguably the original celebrity owner. Elton John took charge of the Hornets in 1976 with the club in tiny dancers Division 4.
Just seven years later and each day must have felt like a step into Christmas as Watford were runners up in Division 1. Players such as John Barnes, and Luther Blissett were on the books and they even reached the FA Cup Final in 1984.
Elton sold up in 1987, but returned 10 years later. His second stint as Chairman wasn’t quite so successful, but a brief jump back into the Premier League in 1999 helped ensure he remains a cult hero in Hertfordshire.
Alan Sugar –Tottenham
Lord Sugar and Tottenham endured an uneasy nine-year relationship during the 1990s, which brought some highs, but more lows and even more managers going in and out of the boardroom.
A League Cup success in 1999 was the only addition to the White Hart Lane trophy cabinet under Sugar’s ownership, but he was at the helm when Jurgen Klinsmann arrived to become a fan favourite.
Tottenham went through six full-time managers under Sugar, including the infamous Christian Gross, and never finished in the Premier League’s top six.
Delia Smith – Norwich
Where are you? Let’s be having you!
Delia’s rallying cry to the Carrow Road terraces in 2005 left us all in no doubt about her passion for all things Canary.
Smith has been a majority stakeholder in the club for 20 years, and in that time Norwich have come across as one of football’s more stable clubs. Premier League regulars too, Delia’s clearly been serving up some fine ownership skills.
Sachin Tendulkar – Kerala Blasters
Cricket legend and Indian hero Sachin Tendulkar currently holds a 60 per cent stake in Super League team Kerala Blasters.
However, after an impressive first year in 2014 en route to fourth, the Blasters struggled to just eighth place a season later.
Early growing pains have also seen the club employ three head coaches in just two years.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.
