Celebrity Coups

Snow Patrol’s frontman Gary Lightbody fulfilled a boyhood dream of any youngster by training with his country’s first-team. He said it was "one of the best days ever" but conceded that his performance was “not great.” Lightbody may have trained with his Northern Irish squad, but some celebrities have gone a step further and ventured into the world of professional football.

Another Direction

One Direction member Louis Tomlinson played for his beloved Doncaster Rovers and joined on ‘non-contract terms’ after impressing in a charity match at the Keepmoat Stadium. "It's unbelievable really. I have been a massive football fan for a long time.” He was fairly happy. But it was short-lived after putting in a sub-par performance in a reserves game and the singer hasn’t played for them since. Tomlinson tried to take-over the club with former chairman John Ryan but it fell through. But being in the world’s biggest boyband isn’t a bad back-up plan.

Quick, sign him up!

The most recent celebrity joining a professional club is former X-Factor and I’m a Celeb man Jake Quickenden. The 26-year-old has been offered trials and contracts from non-league giants Gainsborough Trinity but he has turned them down. Reason? His agent said he’s "far too busy focusing on his music and presenting work" to take up the offer. But luckily for fans of Saturday night television and Gainsborough Trinity (to which there are many) Quickenden has agreed to play the majority of their pre-season matches.

Boisterous Beefy

Sir Ian Botham, English cricketing hero, part-time football league centre-half. Beefy showed his versatility with bat, ball, and another larger sized ball when he joined Yeovil Town in 1978. At that stage, he already established himself as an international test cricketer. After 17 appearances and one goal for The Glovers, Beefy moved to Scunthorpe United where he played a further 11 matches in the football league. Botham showed his sporting ability whether it was blistering the Aussies in the Ashes or barging attackers off the ball.

So Solid Performance

Thought Botham was a jack-of-all-trades? Try MC Harvey who’s been a rapper with So Solid Crew, a solo artist, performed at the West End, had a television career and even tried his hand and feet as a footballer. He’s played for various non-league teams including AFC Wimbledon, Aldershot Town, Lewes and in 2007 he signed for Conference South outfit St Albans City. However, Alesha Dixon’s former husband quit football as he couldn’t pencil it into his busy diary.

International Royale

The Royale Family and Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps actor Ralph Little has played five differet semi-professional teams and even has three international caps. He played for the Sealand national football team that isn’t a member of FIFA or UEFA – but it is something to boast when you’re in the pub having two pints of lager and a packet of crisps. The Man United supporter has turned out for Staines Town, Maidstone United. Edgware Town, Chertsey Town and Stone Dominoes. A fine little career Ralph had.

An Olympic Effort

The gold medal decathlon winner Daley Thompson enjoyed a stint in football as quick as his 100m efforts. After he stopped making Lucozade adverts and retired from athletics due to a hammy problem, Thompson pulled the jerseys of Mansfield Town, Stevenage Borough F.C and Ikeston F.C. But after his short run-out in non-league football, Daley became a fitness coach for Wimbledon and Luton Town. It’s safe to say that his Olympic triumphs outweigh his footballing career.