The County Championship could be trimmed to make way for far more Twenty20 matches, according to proposals unearthed by The Times.Jack Simmons, the former Lancashire chairman who now heads the ECB’s cricket committee, has initiated plans to create space in the domestic calendar for an IPL-style competition. It would mean the existing 16 four-day matches being reduced to 16 three-day games, with earlier start and later finish times to allow a minimum of 120 overs a day to be bowled.At present, there is a minimum of 96 over per day, so Simmons’ plan would only see a reduction in playing time of 24 overs. However, players are likely to oppose being asked to bowl more overs in a day. When a minimum number of overs was first introduced in the late 1980s it was set at 120 per day, but finishes after 8pm were not uncommon and the number has gradually been reduced. However, overtime is still a regular occurrence.The ECB seem determined to create a larger gap in the Championship season than is now the case. One proposal, believed to have been backed by the Professional Cricketers’ Association, was to cut the number of games from 16 to 12, but that would have caused alarm among those who see the Championship as the nursery for creating Test cricketers.”I think the county chairmen would agree to a reduction in matches if they are going to make more money from Twenty20 cricket.” Simmons told the newspaper. “The England players should not have any say in this because they do not play in Championship matches. Yes, we do play too much international cricket and players become tired, but as soon as a sum of £100,000 is offered to them to take part in a competition in India they don’t appear to be exhausted any longer.”It is not possible to breed any players in Twenty20 cricket and my concern would be that standards don’t drop. The way to learn the game is in the middle in Championship matches.”
Gayle out? Chris Gayle has been ruled out of the first edition of the Indian Premier League after failing to recover from a groin injury that he sustained during the recent series against Sri Lanka, the Kolkata based reported. However, he will be in Kolkata in the first week of May to spend some time with the team. The franchise are yet to name a replacement.However a spokesman for the franchise said a final decision was yet to be made. “He’s injured but he’s still not out of the tournament,” he said. “No decision has been made yet.”Gearing up on a centre-pitch Both the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings were allowed centre-wicket practice on the eve of the match, it was reported. Mumbai, who practised second, were initially asked to use the adjoining net facilities but the moment they realised that their opponents had used the one of the centre strips, they demanded similar facilities too. “The match won’t be played on the pitch on which the teams are practising. It will take place on the pitch adjacent to it,” one of the TNCA officials was quoted as saying in the .Burdett turns down SOS The Kolkata franchise sent out an SOS to South Australia’s 57-year-old chief curator Les Burdett but he is unlikely to oblige, the reported. Burdett, who is vacationing with his family in the outback, said: “I can’t come to India now for few days at least. I am enjoying my holiday and I have recently returned from your country where I inspected the pitches (at Mohali and other centres). For a few more days I can’t leave Australia again.”The bad blood ain’t over Though they may share the same dressing room for the Kolkata KnightRiders, Ishant Sharma has emphasised there will be no comradeship withRicky Ponting when the two face-off against each other while playing fortheir countries. “It is a privilege to share dressing room with a greatplayer like Ponting,” Ishant said. “We discussed cricket and joked at eachother at the dressing room, we are just like friends now. But it is notthat I won’t show aggression at him while playing for India againstAustralia.”The spell that Ishant bowled to Ponting at the WACA was one of thehighlights of India’s tour to Australia. “No colour comes before you whenyou are donning your national colours. I will give back if I am provokedand the same thing had happened in the Australia series.”Empty stands greet Hyderabad’s opening game The first game in Hyderabad was preceded by a gala opening but there was hardly anyone watching. One of the reasons offered include the distance one needs to travel outside the city to reach the stadium. There is also a view that the people have been saturated with the Indian Cricket League, which recently staged seven matches in the city.
John Bannon, the Cricket Australia board director and former Premier of South Australia, has died in Adelaide, aged 72. He had battled cancer since 2007, but been a member of the CA board since 2008.After a lengthy political career in which he was SA’s longest serving Labor Premier, Bannon served on numerous boards but was a key player in Australian cricket both with CA and the South Australian Cricket Association. He was named a SACA life member in 2014.His time on the CA board encompassed the sweeping governance reforms of 2012, which saw the board changed from a structure of 14 state-appointed directors to nine independent appointees, with at least one being based in each of the six states. Bannon, who was also a political and cricket historian of note, remained an advocate of Federalism throughout the reform process.The CA chairman David Peever said Bannon’s many achievements included his assiduous work to build cricket’s connection to indigenous Australia. “As a board, we will miss John’s stature, his knowledge and his wisdom,” Peever said. “He provided the Board with astute judgement and decades of experience navigating complex and challenging issues.”Throughout that time he championed cricket’s efforts to better engage Indigenous communities as co-chair of the National Indigenous Cricket Advisory Council, a cause he was fiercely passionate about. He also played an important role overseeing the recent governance changes to Australian cricket.”On a personal level I will miss his friendship, wisdom and guidance. He was always selfless in the way that he was prepared to share his knowledge to better other people and the game. Despite his tremendous experience and depth of knowledge he carried himself with great humility, never imposing his will on others. Our game and our country have lost a remarkable man.”We extend our deepest sympathies to John’s wife Angela and the entire Bannon family at this sad time.”Andrew Sinclair, the SACA chairman, spoke of Bannon’s contribution to the governance reform process and also the major redevelopment of Adelaide Oval, during which time he served on the SACA board before retiring earlier this year.”John made a massive contribution to South Australian cricket, Australian cricket and the recent redevelopment of Adelaide Oval,” Sinclair said. “Through negotiations of the Adelaide Oval redevelopment and Australian cricket governance reforms, he was always a voice of reason; calm and considered.”His unmatched understanding of history will be sorely missed, for no sport can reflect on its current position without knowing what went before. He had enormous knowledge of Australian history, from cricket to politics.”John was driving various SACA cricket history and museum initiatives. These will absolutely come to fruition, unfortunately without John in person, but he’ll be there in spirit and in the hearts of many SACA Members. There is a very strong board resolve to continue John’s legacy. The board rooms of Australian and South Australian cricket are much poorer for his loss; he is already sadly missed.”While Bannon was unable to travel to England for the Ashes this year due to his declining health, he continued to work right up until the last few days before his death. He was at Adelaide Oval for the inaugural day-night Test match earlier this month, and had also pushed for a project to preserve and collate the CA board archives, one of many projects that will form his legacy as a major figure in Australian cricket.SA’s current Premier, Jay Weatherill, has offered the Bannon family a state funeral.
ScorecardSteven Finn may well have bowled himself into the England team for the first Test against South Africa after an impressive display on the first day of the tour match at Pietermaritzburg.On a sluggish pitch and against strong opposition with genuine international aspirations of their own, Finn bowled with pace, control and rhythm to claim four wickets to help England enjoy an almost perfect day. A post lunch spell of three wickets in nine balls was especially impressive and knocked the stuffing of the South Africa A middle order.While Chris Woakes, who has impressed in white ball cricket and in training, was probably pencilled in to play in the first Test before the start of this game, Finn has taken the chance offered with a style that will surely prove hard to ignore. With just two days between the first and second Tests, it bodes well for England to have a group of seamers in decent form.
Finn sees value in injury break
As if his bowling had not made the point eloquently enough, Steven Finn said he felt he was ready for a return to international cricket ahead of the Durban Test on Boxing Day. Finn, who was drafted into the tour party only a week ago having proved his recovery from injury on the Lions tour to the UAE, bowled with pace and control in taking 4 for 34 against a strong-looking South Africa A side and afterwards suggested he was disappointed not to be included in the original squad. “I was disappointed to be left out of the squad in the first place because I know my body and thought I had very good chance to be fit for the Boxing Day Test,” he said. “But the selectors obviously didn’t think that, I had to accept it and it made me work doubly hard. “I’d like to think I’m ready for a Test match, but it depends how I pull up over the next day or so because I haven’t spent this long on my feet for the last three months. But I had two weeks with the Lions in Dubai building up to this point and there has been no bad reaction in my foot. “I was on crutches for two and a half weeks. And I had the surgical boot on for a little longer so it was a steady amount of time to be off my feet and parked on the sofa. I did a lot of upper body and trunk strength work before building up my rehab with Watford FC, which I’m very grateful for, and at the moment everything is falling into place. “Sometimes these things happen for a reason and to have seven or eight weeks of not using certain parts of my body that I use for bowling was a break I’ve not had for five or six years.”
Stephen Cook offered South Africa A’s only consolation as they succumbed for 136 in 56 overs. By carrying his bat for an unbeaten 53 in four-and-a-quarter hours, the uncapped 33-year-old demonstrated the patience, discipline and hunger required to prosper at Test level.Finn, who was forced to pull out of England’s Test series in the UAE in October after suffering a bone-stress injury in his left foot, was drafted into the squad as a late addition last week after impressing for England Lions in two Twenty20 comeback appearances against Pakistan A in Dubai.Despite having played just three Tests in the last couple of years, Finn made a strong case to be considered a first-choice selection during his comeback game at Edgbaston during the Ashes. Bowling with the familiar pace of old, but also with an ability to swing the ball which he had developed during his spell out of the Test side, he claimed 6 for 47 in the first innings and looked to have recovered the form and confidence that rendered him such an exciting prospect at the start of his career.It took him only three deliveries to strike here and, if his first wicket owed something to batsman error – Quinton de Kock edged a lavish drive outside off stump – his next three were the result of well-directed fast bowling that exposed the batsmen’s frailties around off stump. Omphile Ramala sliced a drive to point, Khaya Zondo fenced to slip and Dane Vilas appeared to be beaten for pace when he missed a straight one.It is still slightly premature to state for certain that Finn will play in the first Test. The England support staff will monitor how he recovers from his exertion in the morning. But, presuming that nothing untoward occurs, it would be a surprise if he does not play in Durban now.The selection of third seamer was the only dilemma left for England, but this was a pleasing day in other respects. Despite the heat and humidity, England clung on to some fine catches, with James Taylor’s effort at point – diving forward to snatch the ball up just off the turf – a highlight. Joe Root also held a couple of good chances, leaping above his head to hold on to an edge offered by Chris Morris, while Alex Hales, the new man in the cordon at third slip, also held a sharp chance.The only real blemish came when Ben Stokes, at slip to Moeen Ali’s off-spin, put down a sharp chance offered when Cook edged an arm-ball on 41. It is likely that James Anderson will return to fielding at slip off Moeen in the Test series, however, so Stokes’ blemish need not provoke any lasting concern.To complete England’s day, Alex Hales batted with much greater assurance and unveiled some typically elegant strokes in helping his captain reach stumps without loss. Hales took one blow to the left hand courtesy of the distinctly hostile Marchant de Lange, but generally emerged with some credit from a tough examination. Barring injury, he is certain to open in Durban.There is nothing untoward in Anderson’s omission from the XI for this game. He is at the stage of his career where he knows what he needs in terms of preparation and also knows that, whatever cricket he has left, is best played on the pitch and not in the nets. He only bowled 12 overs ahead of the Pakistan series in the UAE.Stuart Broad looks fine, too. Experienced enough to know this was not the game to try to rediscover those Ashes-winning spells, he bowled tidily and generated some decent bounce upon occasions. Stokes, too, was controlled and proved too good for the tailenders.Steven Finn appeals unsuccessfully for lbw•Getty Images
Mark Footitt, while not quite as consistent as his colleagues, also bowled pretty well. But while he produced a fine delivery to account for Reeza Hendricks – on off stump and demanding a stroke – he also went off the pitch one over into his second spell before lunch suffering from cramp. England are unlikely to take a chance on him in the immediate future.Cook was the one batsman to play with the application required on a slightly two-paced surface offering some seam assistance. While he looked fortunate to survive two big leg before appeals against Finn, both times when he had scored 27, and has a tendency to play across straight balls, it is far from impossible he may win his chance at Test level before the end of the series.The struggles of his teammates suggested that, whatever the strength of their Test XI – and the No. 1 Test ranking tells its own story – there is some doubt about the depth in quality of the game in South Africa.
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsKevin Pietersen hit five fours and two sixes during his 36-ball 62•Cricket Australia/Getty Images
On Thursday, one of the BBL’s hoodoos rolled on, as Adelaide Strikers became the fourth consecutive table-toppers to fail to make the final. A day later, one was lifted, as Melbourne Stars, after the pain of losing four semi-finals, finally made the final. On Sunday, the Big Bash League will have a new winner, as Stars take on Sydney Thunder at the MCG. Whoever wins, however, will have a captain from the same family, as Thunder’s Mike Hussey, in his last game in Australia, takes on Stars’ David.Stars had put up an excellent performance to limit Scorchers to 139; Daniel Worrall had produced the goods in the powerplay and at the death, with clever swing and a nagging line, while the spinners were superb, with Adam Zampa’s leggies tough to get away and Michael Beer’s swerving anglers, which often resembled medium pace, proved to be equally parsimonious.The chase was not going to be easy. But as soon as Kevin Pietersen, who put together a measured mini-masterpiece, was at the crease, Stars looked in control. The sight of Pietersen shadow-batting in the middle two hours before the game, inspecting the pitch, and loosening his limbs, was an interesting, arresting one. Say what you will about Pietersen, but nobody in the game prepares better.At the crease, Pietersen instantly looked just that: better prepared. Stars took eight runs from the first three overs before Luke Wright slapped to cover. Pietersen was immediately away, flicking David Willey for two. He then combined with Marcus Stonis and ensured that the next two overs cost three fours each. Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye, usually stingy, were carted, with Stoinis particularly severe on Tye through the legside.After that, remarkably, Stars went six overs without a boundary. But such was the pair’s calm that this was not an issue. The MCG is big, and they exploited the spaces with ones and twos. Brad Hogg then jagged one back and had Stoinis lbw for 44. Pietersen, though, rolled along in the company of Peter Handscomb. He faced just six dot balls, and unfurled out some trademark fanciness, including the one-legged ramp and a dance down to bump David Willey – who had given him some lip – over long-off for six. Eventually, after a late assault on Joel Paris, he was bowled trying a reverse ramp. David Hussey, however, joined Handscomb to finish the job with 11 balls to spare.Right from the first over, the hosts had looked out to right wrongs. Rob Quiney at mid-off dove full stretch to cut off a Marcus Harris drive, and two balls later Worrall got one to nip away and Quiney took the catch from a skied short-arm jab. Michael Carberry looked in good touch but, after he drove Ben Hilfenhaus beautifully through cover, Worrall had him too, cramped up when trying to cut. These key scalps were Worrall’s reward for discipline.During Michael Klinger’s partnership with Adam Voges, however, everything reverted to a rather familiar feel, with Scorchers steadily accumulating in readiness for late acceleration. Voges looked particularly business-like, firing Evan Gulbis’s only over for three fours. Zampa was drilled back over his head and Stoinis pumped over mid-off. Klinger, who had looked less fluent, got in on the act too, tracking Hilfenhaus and sending him for a handsome straight six.But that late acceleration never came. With his final ball, the last of the 16th over, Zampa tossed one up and ripped with his wrist; Klinger had premeditated a sweep and long-on barely had to move. Next ball, Willey tried to slog Stoinis, who had taken the previous catch, and was caught on the edge of the circle. Ashton Agar almost succumbed to the same fate, but Hilfenhaus shelled a terribly tough, sliding catch at third man. When Voges found long-on in the next over off Beer, Scorchers were in disarray at 5 for 116 having uncharacteristically wasted a platform.Stars, right on cue, found two fine death overs to seal the squeeze. Hilfenhaus claimed Agar and gave away only six in the penultimate over of the innings, before Worral returned to york Tye. If any team could defend 139, it was Scorchers, but this felt terribly underpar, much like the crowd, which looked thin due to the threat of rain and the fun of tennis.With each ball faced by Pietersen, the hope of a third title for Scorchers became ever slimmer. Remarkably, like Stars, Pietersen has never won a domestic T20 title. Both have more hoodoos to end on Sunday.
No play was possible in the fourth T20I between India and South Africa because of poor visibility in foggy Lucknow. Leading the series 2-1, India are now assured of taking their unbeaten streak in T20I series to 15. The decider of the series is scheduled to be played in Ahmedabad on Friday.While the AQI in Lucknow hovered around the early-to-mid 400s, which is hazardous, the concern for the umpires remained visibility. During their inspections, one of the umpires would go to a square boundary to see if he could spot the white ball held up by the side of the pitch. Six inspections took place before play was finally called off at 9.26pm.Cricket in north Indian winters has long been a contentious issue, and not just for visibility. The BCCI had scheduled a Test for South Africa in Delhi before better sense prevailed and Delhi was given a Test before Diwali, which is when the air quality in north India starts to fall to poor and dangerous levels.South Africa’s tour comes to an end on Friday in Ahmedabad. In what has been a hugely successful tour, they blanked India 2-0 in the Tests and forced a decider in the ODI series, which India won 2-1. India have registered two comprehensive wins in what remains their strongest format to go 2-1 up in the T20Is, but they didn’t get a chance to seal the series before the finale because of the bad light in Lucknow.Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the last match for personal reasons, was with the team in Lucknow, which should be a boost for India ahead of the last match, which will be played in Bumrah’s hometown.
New Manager, new era, West Ham United appears to be finally moving in the right direction. The Hammers are already looking to add new faces in order to rebuild and strengthen their squad for next season’s campaign. However, do the East London club really need a massive signing this summer to get back on track and firing on all cylinders?
The Hammers have been strongly linked with a number of top players over the past few weeks, which include the likes of David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and astonishingly even Joe Cole. But, do they really require a player of this stature? Many Hammer fans would think so after the season they endured this year. Though, some may argue that these players have had their day and the club should focus more on getting a collection of hardworking players rather than a superstar.
It’s fair to say, and agree on, that West Ham did have an absolute abysmal season and barely survived the lure of the relegation places. Their current squad players looked depleted, morale was definitely down yet they managed to survive another year in the top-flight. Looking through the squad, it appears to have no recognised superstar, someone to inspire and spur the team on. Some of you reading this will think they do have a player like this in Scott Parker. Granted, Parker is the heart and soul of the club (he’s not Mr. West Ham for nothing) but he is not a player to depend on when you need a goal or a moment of brilliance, which maybe what West Ham need this summer.
Earlier this week, Avram Grant made his first signing as the new West Ham boss by acquiring German international Thomas Hitzlsperger from Lazio on a free. The 29-year-old midfielder, nicknamed ‘the hammer’ (no pun intended) can do a great job for the club, but will the Hammers need more high-profile players in order to stay clear of another relegation battle next season? Or, do they need a collection of industrious players instead?
A top signing would no doubt be great for revenue and raise the club’s profile in the long-term. However, you could argue that the players they have been linked with are not the same as they once were 5-10 years ago. A majority of the fans will want to see the club capture players that are willing to fight and blend into the current squad swiftly. However, if the Hammers manage to sign a world-class and established player like Beckham or Henry, then this will no doubt attract more noticeable footballer’s to the club as well.
West Ham’s co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan are willing, in their own words, ‘push the boat out’ to sign quality players this summer. The pair have high ambitions in mind for the East London club, and as such, will be doing everything in their power to get the Hammers moving forward rather than backwards.
The fact is (and many will agree) that West Ham need to strengthen their squad this summer or possibly face another melee at the bottom once again. The early attainment of Thomas Hitzlsperger is a great one in many fans eyes, and if Grant could obtain more signings like this, then there is no reason why the team could end up in the top half of the table next season. However, the right individuals need to arrive through the Upton Park doors during the summer window, whether these are top players like Henry and Beckham will be up to the board and Avram Grant to decide.
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There are a number of celebrities out there who follow Arsenal football club. The ten featured in this article ultimately made my list of the top 10 celebrity fans who are fully fledged Gooners, enjoy:
10. Jay Z
The 40-year-old rapper has been an Arsenal fan for a number of years, but many questioned his love for the club when he was photographed as a guest of Manchester City when they beat the Gunners 4-2 at the City of Manchester Stadium last season. However, last month Jay Z cleared up any allegations that he was nothing but a gooner. Speaking to Arsenal Magazine the hip-hop star said:
“After that game the press started reporting that I was a Manchester City fan, I am really glad all that has been cleared up and that everybody in the UK knows that I am an Arsenal fan.”
The lyricist was made aware of the Gunners and took a shine to them when Thierry Henry used to play for them, he goes on to say:
“It was about five years ago now, when Thierry Henry was at the club, I saw him play and I just thought he was an amazing player. Ever since then I have been a big fan of the club.”
Jay Z has stated that he would love to hook up with the Arsenal squad for lunch and has also openly invited them to attend his next gig in London, whenever this maybe. Beyonce’s other half has also hinted that he may invest some of his £500 million earnings in the club should the opportunity arise in the near future. 99 Problems but his love for Arsenal isn’t one of them.
9. Spike Lee
The American film director, producer, writer and actor is an Arsenal fan, and a big one at that. The 53-year-old is known to wear the Arsenal Jersey whilst on set and is a close and personal friend of former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry. Spike Lee has attended matches at Highbury in recent years as well as a few games at the Emirates Stadium last season, and has a very good knowledge of the game to say the very least. Spike is a Gooner.
8. Dara O’ Briain
The 38-year-old award winning Irish comedian and television presenter is a very keen and avid Gooner to say the very least. The ‘Mock the Week’ and ‘Have I Got News for you’ presenter is a season ticket holder at the Emirates and in his spare time does stand up comedy gigs around the nation. O’ Briain is also a columnist for the Guardian where, like Piers Morgan does for the Daily Mail, expresses his views on his team. He surely deserves to be in this list right?
7. Colin Firth
Reports in the past suggested that the British film and TV actor who starred in the most famous football film ever (in my opinion) ‘Fever Pitch’ was either a Southampton of Arsenal fan. His first and only match before making the hit movie was in fact Hull City against Southampton in 1976 which proposed he may have supported either one of the teams. However, since taking the role as crazed Gooner Paul Ainsworth in Fever Pitch, the 49-year-old hardly ever misses an Arsenal home game when he is in residence in his Hackney flat. Nick Hornby (director of Fever Pitch) is worth a mention for Firth being converted into Goonerdom as it seems as if his film turned the actor into a loyal Arsenal supporter since 1997 to this present day.
6. Frankie Dettori
Dettori is known to be a big follower of the North London club. The 5’ 4’’ Italian jockey who has won every British classic as well as countless amounts of races around the world is as much into Arsenal football club as he is in his own profession. In 1996 Dettori spoke to the Telegraph about his love for Arsenal:
“I’ve been an Arsenal fan since I came to England. I was interviewed by Julian Wilson for the BBC just after I had my seventh win in one afternoon at Ascot, and I asked how Arsenal had done. When I heard that they’d won, it made the day all the more special.”
Dettori arrived in England in 1985, which would make him a fan of the Gunners for 25 years now…a loyal fan indeed.
Click on page 2 to see the top 5
5. Piers Morgan
Mr. Morgan has not kept it a secret that he is in fact a Gooner. The Daily Mail columnist loves to express his views on what Wenger must do in order to get Arsenal going into the right direction. At times reading his work, you get the feeling that Morgan actually knows what he is talking about. The former Daily Mirror and News of the World editor also enjoys great TV success with ‘Pier’s Morgan’s Life Stories’ and acts as a judge for the popular talent show ‘Britain’s got talent’.
4. Bradley Walsh
For the 2002 F.A Cup final where Arsenal took on Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium, Sky Sports invited Walsh to take part in the infamous fan zone booth and commentate alongside Tim Lovejoy. Walsh represented his beloved Arsenal whilst Lovejoy was backing his Blues. Arsenal won 2-0 that day with goals by Ray Parlour and Freddie Ljungberg. The most memorable part of listening to the two was when Ray Parlour picked up the ball in the centre of the park and headed for goal. Lovejoy commentated ‘Oh no he’s put him through…oh It’s alright it’s only Ray Parlour’ and before he knew it the Arsenal man curled a 25-yard beauty into the top corner sparking Walsh to go absolutely bonkers and replied back to Lovejoy by saying ’that is Ray Parlour, that is the goal of the season, that is a goal’. It was one of the biggest clangers in the history of commentary by Tim Lovejoy, but a hilarious one at that which started an ‘it’s only Ray Parlour’ trend. The 50-year-old English comedian and actor is a legendary Gooner fan just for that.
Check out Walsh’s commentary, its hilarious:
3. Kevin Costner
The famous actor best known for his role in the 1991 hit movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, confessed his love and support to Arsenal football club when he was invited to watch the Gunners play during the making of the film:
“When I came over and made Robin Hood I got a chance to go see a football game and it happened to be Arsenal. They invited me as their guest and I didn’t know what to expect, and I was blown away. I didn’t realise how emotional it can be in the stands. I didn’t realise that people sang and did all that and I was moved by it.”
Kevin Costner remains a loyal fan to this day and a very famous one at that.
2. Alan Davies
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Alan Davies had to make the list for sure. The British comedian, writer and actor is best known for starring in the mystery series ‘Jonathan Creek,’ is an enormous Arsenal fan and merits this by being a season ticket holder at the Emirates Stadium. The 44-year-old Brit also hosts the greatly popular ‘It’s up for grabs now’ podcast, which takes a jocular look at what’s going on in the club. A definite top 10 celebrity Gooner.
1. Nick Hornby
Nick Hornby is a well known author who is particularly identified with his football novel ‘Fever Pitch’ which was released in 1992. It tells the story of the author’s relationship with football and his loveable Arsenal football club. The story behind the novel was converted into a movie which was produced and directed in 1997 By Hornby himself, and has been a major hit with many males up and down the country for several years now. A truly iconic Arsenal and football fan, who deserves a lot of praise for persuading many with his book and film to get involved with the beautiful game.
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Click on image below to see the BRAZILIAN babes at the World Cup
Thierry Henry has completed his expected move to Major League Soccer with New York Red Bulls.
The 32-year-old former Barcelona and Arsenal striker has agreed a 'multi-year' contract and could now make his debut against Tottenham in a pre-season friendly for the Premier League club on July 22.
Henry was released by Barcelona last month and had been heavily linked with a move to New York.
"It is without question that Thierry Henry is one of the most successful and recognisable players over the past 15 years," said the club's head of global soccer Dietmar Beiersdorfer.
"We are thrilled that Thierry has decided to come to New York to help the Red Bulls compete for championships this year and for years to come.
"His international pedigree is second to none and he is a proven winner."
Henry, who was a member of France's World Cup squad in South Africa, scored 49 goals during three seasons with Barca after arriving in Spain as Arsenal's 226-goal all-time leading scorer.
"This marks an exciting new chapter in my career and life," he said.
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"It is an honour to play for the New York Red Bulls. I am fully aware of the team's history and my sole goal during my time here is to help win the club its first championship.
"Knowing Red Bull's significant commitment to soccer locally and internationally, I am confident that my teammates and I will succeed."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Stand-in England captain Steven Gerrard has admitted that he would be booing if he was a spectator at the friendly international against Hungary on Wednesday evening.
The Liverpool midfielder accepts that he and his colleagues will kop some flak after their dismal displays at the World Cup finals and Gerrard is prepared to face the music.
He told reporters:"I'm expecting a mixed reaction. I'm sure there'll be boos, but we have to take it on the chin. We deserve it, we let them down.
"Hopefully, with time, we can show them we are a good team and that we're desperate to make them happy."
"I probably would boo.
"The manager spoke on behalf of all of us yesterday. For me there are no excuses at all. The simple message is we have to show how sorry we are by our performances on the pitch.
"We have to study where we went wrong on the pitch against Germany and try to put those things right. The mental side of things will only improve by winning games.
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"I'm not going to lie and say it's difficult to be playing for England because it is. The results haven't gone the way we would have liked.
"But hopefully three or four games down the line we'll have given a bit of confidence back to the supporters and you guys (the press), because at the moment it is tough."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email