Sir Lenny Henry to Frank Skinner – West Brom’s top five celebrity fans
West Brom have curated a loyal celebrity fanbase throughout their 147 years as a football club.
Albion recently celebrated 125 years at The Hawthorns, which is a testament to their longevity as a club. West Brom have seen several legends, including Tony Brown, pass through its halls.
Meanwhile, the Baggies have experienced the highs of Premier League promotion in the 2019/20 season and the lows of relegation to League One. Ryan Mason now looks to see West Brom back in the Premier League after an unbeaten start to the season.
Indeed, with a club so rich in history, it is no wonder that it has gained such a huge celebrity following over the years, as West Brom News looks at the most prominent ones.
Eric Clapton
Rock legend Eric Clapton has not shied away from supporting West Brom over the years.
He sponsored the Baggies’ UEFA Cup tie against Galatasaray in 1978, where wins home and away saw them progress to the third round.
As well as playing a concert for former Albion captain John Wile during his testimonial year in 1982, Clapton was pictured sporting a West Brom navy blue and white striped scarf on the cover of his album ‘Blackless’, which reaffirmed his commitment to the Baggies.
Sir Lenny Henry
Sir Lenny Henry is a lifelong West Brom fan, and his public allegiance to Albion can be traced to the 1970s.
The actor and comedian has frequently been pictured at The Hawthorns cheering the Baggies on. While West Brom wished him a happy birthday via X in 2018.
In the past, he has admitted that he is not much of a football fan, but used to love it when West Brom used to play with the ‘three degrees’ consisting of Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Baston.
In quotes provided by Reading Chronicle in November 2023, he said: “I’m slightly allergic to football, it’s not my thing. I did love it when the Baggies used to play with Cyrille, Laurie, and Brendon used to play.
“I was there because we got invited by John Madejski, and your dad said come down and have a look, so I went down to watch it, and it didn’t cure me of my allergy.”
Frank Skinner
Additionally, broadcaster and comedian Frank Skinner’s love for the Baggies has been well-documented over the years.
In his autobiography, ‘Frank Skinner’, he states that his “criterion” for supporting the club stems from West Bromwich being his birthplace.
Furthermore, throughout his time as a supporter, he has regularly showcased Albion on the Fantasy Football show, where West Brom legend Jeff Astle regularly featured.
Adrian Chiles
In 2007, lifelong Baggies fan Adrian Chiles published ‘We don’t know what we’re doing’. The book documents the stories of various West Brom supporters whom he met during the 2005/06 season.
In addition, he also presented the Albion-themed BBC documentary ‘Whites v Blacks: How Football Changed a Nation’.
According to the West Brom website, the presenter is a regular at The Hawthorns and even holds a season ticket.
Dame Julie Walters
Legendary actress Dame Julie Walters is a West Brom fan, having been born and grown up in Birmingham.
Indeed, the actress, known for her role as Molly Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise, has been vocal about her support for the Baggies in the past.
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