From sci-fi stars to rock legends, these famous faces once had their sights set on the beautiful game.
Before the spotlight, red carpets, and screaming fans, these celebrities were chasing a very different dream – scoring goals. From Premier League scouts to local trials and even Football League appearances, some of these names came surprisingly close to sporting stardom. Here are 17 celebs who laced up their boots before stepping into the limelight.
Sean Connery – The Spy Who Could’ve Scored
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Before he became the suavest man in cinema as James Bond, Connery was turning heads on the pitch. He played for Scottish club Bonnyrigg Rose and even caught the attention of Manchester United legend Sir Matt Busby, who offered him a contract at age 23.
Connery turned it down, believing his body wouldn’t last in football past 30. Ironically, his acting career went far beyond that – and into legend.
Matt Smith – The Time Lord Turned Playmaker
Long before stepping into the TARDIS as Doctor Who and later on starring in the Game Of Thrones Prequel, House of Dragons as Daemon Targaryen, Matt Smith was on track for a football career. He played youth football with Northampton Town, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City.
But then a serious back injury derailed his dream. It was a drama teacher who nudged him toward acting, and the rest – well, wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey history. Who needs the Premier League when you’ve got a sonic screwdriver?
Gordon Ramsay – The Angry Midfielder
Long before screaming “It’s RAW!” at terrified chefs, Ramsay was yelling from midfield. He represented Warwickshire’s under-14s and had a trial with Rangers in 1984.
Unfortunately, a knee injury ended his chances of going pro. The football world’s loss became the culinary world’s most intimidating gain.
Ian Botham – The Cricketer Who Could Tackle
Best known for smashing sixes and wearing sunnies, Beefy also had a football side hustle. He played for Yeovil Town and made 11 Football League appearances for Scunthorpe United.
Just imagine the slide tackles.
Julio Iglesias – From Shot Stopper to Heart Stopper
Before serenading millions, Julio was the man between the sticks for Real Madrid’s Castilla team. But a car crash left him with limited leg movement and a football career in ruins.
During his hospital recovery, a nurse gave him a guitar. The rest is musical history.
Johnny Marr – Goals and Guitars
Before The Smiths, there was the smudged eyeliner and the football boots. Johnny Marr had trials with Manchester City at 16 and even drew interest from Nottingham Forest’s legendary manager Brian Clough.
But music won out. “I’d go to trials wearing eyeliner,” he said. That probably didn’t help his chances.
MC Harvey – From So Solid to Sunday League
Before dropping beats with So Solid Crew, Michael Harvey played semi-professional football. He featured for AFC Wimbledon, Aldershot Town, and Lewes.
Though he’s more reality TV than rap these days, he once had serious skills on the pitch.
Daley Thompson – Olympic Hero, Football Hopeful
Daley Thompson already had two Olympic golds in decathlon, but retirement didn’t slow him down. He joined Mansfield Town, played for Stevenage, and even turned out for Ilkeston in non-league football.
The man simply couldn’t sit still – or stay away from competition.
Wolf – Gladiator by Name, Gillingham by Game
Michael Van Wijk – aka Wolf from Gladiators – wasn’t just flexing for the cameras. In 1994, he pulled on a Gillingham reserves shirt for a match against Cambridge United. This came two years after growling his way into UK TV fame.
A true competitor on TV and the pitch. Still wouldn’t mess with him.
Rod Stewart – Forever Young, Almost a Brentford Boy
Rod had trials at Brentford in his youth, but a pro career didn’t materialize. Instead, he picked up a mic and made hearts swoon for decades.
Still, he never lost his love for football – and who could forget his wild free-kick celebration in 2017?
Boris Becker – From Bayern to the Baseline
Before smashing aces and collecting Grand Slam titles, Becker was offered a spot in Bayern Munich’s youth setup at age 12.
But he chose tennis instead – and judging by the trophies, it was a pretty solid decision. Bayern’s loss was Centre Court’s gain.
Olly Murs – The X Factor Footballer
Long before X Factor and pop stardom, Olly played for Witham Town, a semi-pro club in Essex. A knee injury put an end to his football ambitions – but gave him the push to chase a singing career.
Now he’s a national treasure… and still pretty handy with a ball.
Steve Harris – The Iron Maiden Hammer of the Hammers
The founder of Iron Maiden was once part of West Ham United’s youth system in the 70s. But music lured him away from football. By 1975, he formed one of the biggest heavy metal bands in history – and he never looked back.
Fun fact: he’s still a die-hard Hammers fan.
That Russian Linesman – The Most Famous Flag Waver of All Time
Tofik Bahramov, the famous 1966 World Cup linesman, actually started out playing football in Azerbaijan. A nasty injury cut his playing days short – and steered him toward refereeing.
England fans still thank him for awarding that goal. If you think that ball crossed the line, you owe his bad knee a pint.
Antonio Banderas – From La Liga Dreams to Puss in Boots
As a teenager in Malaga, Banderas played for several youth clubs. A foot injury at 14 ended his sporting dreams.
But from the wreckage of that dream came one of Hollywood’s smoothest stars – and the voice of a dangerously charming cat in boots.
Colin Farrell – Shamrock Roots, Wild Detour
Football ran in Farrell’s blood – both his father and uncle played for Shamrock Rovers. He could’ve joined them, but adolescence took a messier turn involving drugs and rebellion.
He eventually found stability in acting – and brought his own kind of wild to the screen.
Ralf Little – Royle Family’s Most Relentless Baller
Ralf Little doesn’t just dabble in football – he dives in. The actor has played for a string of non-league clubs and even captained Sealand – yes, that micronation in the sea – in 2013.
Between acting gigs, he’s lacing up the boots. Somewhere, Steve Claridge is nodding in approval.
So, Who Needs a Plan B?
Whether it was injury, eyeliner, or just a change of heart, these celebs gave up their football dreams – and the world got chart-toppers, Olympic legends, iconic actors and a few chaotic reality stars instead.
Still, it’s fun to think what might have been. Imagine James Bond at Old Trafford, or Gordon Ramsay yelling at a ref instead of a sous chef.
Some careers are made on the pitch. Others start right after you leave it.