WHO OWNS WHICH?

A success story out of South London is for grime star, Stormzy (below right), and longtime friend, Wilfried Zaha teaming up to take over childhood club AFC Croydon Athletic. 

The well known UK Rapper, Stormzy, and Crystal Palace forward, Zaha, are part of a three-man consortium, along with former Crystal Palace kit man, Danny Young, that has exchanged contracts with the existing owners, and are set to become joint owners of the Surrey non-League club, AFC Croydon. a club that holds a close place in the trio’s hearts. Zaha moved there from the Ivory Coast when he was four years old, coming through Palace’s academy system. 

Rapper Stormzy, was born and raised in Croydon. Both Zaha and Stormzy – real name Michael Owuo Junior – grew up in the South London borough and have personalconnections to the club. Zaha also scored his first-ever professional goal at Croydon's Mayfield Stadium in Thornton Heath, playing for Crystal Palace Reserves. 

The pair took over the club after all 35 members of the club’s committee voted in favour of the takeover. They will be joined in the venture by a third partner, former Crystal Palace head of player care, Danny Young. A club statement said: “The consortium will own, operate, and develop their childhood hometown club. The pair are part of a consortium which has agreed a deal to acquire the assets of the south London side which plays in the Combined Counties Football League, Premier South Division; the ninth tier of English football. The club's Mayfield Stadium in Thornton Heath, has a capacity of 3,000.

In Wales, Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are the owners of Wrexham AFC, with the club increasing its income from merchandise, media rights and sponsorships since the deal was made in 2021. It is fair to say Hollywood dwellers Ryan Reynolds (below right) and Rob McElhenney(left) are probably some of the most popular people in the Welsh city after they took over the football club and effectively saved its future. The pair pulled Wrexham from the brink of administration, pumping money and sponsorship into the club. This season, they returned to EFL, with their promotion.

Lebron James owned a minority stake in Liverpool for more than a decade while Hollywood actor Michael B Jordan (below) became part owners of AFC Bournemouth, last December. He became part of an ownership team that took over the Cherries, which was led by American businessman Bill Foley, who completed the £120 million takeover of the club in December 2022. Jordan’s involvement in the ownership  group was announced by the club at the same time.

In 2018, Ex-England football captain David Beckham became president of the US Major League Football franchise Inter Miami, joining the many celebrities grapping a slice of football clubs in the UK and around the world. What next?