What Football Team Does Brian Blessed Support? His Surprise Choices Revealed
If you’ve ever heard the booming voice of Brian Blessed echoing through a theatre or blasting from your television, you might wonder if this larger-than-life actor channels the same energy into supporting a football team. With his trademark bushy beard, thunderous delivery, and exuberant personality, Blessed certainly seems like someone who would make an unforgettable presence at any football ground. But which team’s colours would he be wearing?
The Actor with the Mighty Voice
Before exploring his football allegiances, it’s worth noting the man himself. Brian Blessed OBE, born on October 9, 1936, in Mexborough, England, is a beloved British icon. Known for his distinctive appearance and booming voice, he’s appeared in numerous roles including Prince Vultan in Flash Gordon (famous for shouting “GORDON’S ALIVE!”), Augustus in I, Claudius, Boss Nass in Star Wars: Episode I, and PC “Fancy” Smith in Z-Cars. But when Saturday afternoon arrives, where does his football loyalty lie?
A Tale of Two Teams
The answer isn’t quite straightforward. Brian Blessed actually holds affection for not one, but two major English football clubs: Manchester United and Newcastle United. That said, his primary allegiance appears to be with the Red Devils of Manchester.
How a 10-Year-Old Boy Met Manchester United
Blessed’s connection to Manchester United began with a moment that sounds almost like a childhood fantasy. When he was around 10 years old in Yorkshire, a bus pulled up near his village school football ground. To his amazement, it was none other than the FA Cup-winning Manchester United team.
“I said ‘You’re Manchester United, aren’t you?’ They said they were and they agreed to play us,” Blessed recalled. “I pulled up my socks and laced up my boots. We played in proper heavy boots back then, to give the big leather ball a good thump.”
In a charming twist, the United team let the schoolboys win—by a whopping 17–0. Even more impressively, young Brian scored seven goals in that match. That day featured legendary players like Stan Pearson and Johnny Carey, all managed by the great Matt Busby.
“From that day on I have greatly admired and respected everything that Manchester United have achieved,” Blessed said. “To be happy, to play against school boys and to let us win was truly fantastic.”
The Newcastle Connection
While his heart first belonged to Manchester United, Blessed also has a deep fondness for Newcastle United. This connection formed during childhood holidays spent in the northeast of England.
“My Uncle George lived up there so I got my holidays there,” he explained. “Of course in the early ’50s they won the FA Cup three times. I can still picture the team – Fairbrother, Cowell, Corbett, Harvey, Brennan, Crowe, Walker, Taylor, Milburn, Robledo and Mitchell.”
His Newcastle link was further cemented after meeting club legend Jackie Milburn at a charity cricket match. While his main loyalty remained with Manchester United, Blessed has often been described as having a “soft spot” for Newcastle—showing that football fandom, like the man himself, doesn’t always fit into neat categories.
The Red Devils: A Brief History
Manchester United, Blessed’s number one team, has one of the richest legacies in English football. Founded in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR, the club became Manchester United in 1902. They moved to Old Trafford in 1910, where they still play today.
The club has won a record 20 English league championships and 12 FA Cups. Managers Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson shaped decades of dominance and defined the club’s style and spirit.
Star-Studded Support
Blessed isn’t the only high-profile name in Manchester United’s fan base. The club boasts a star-studded lineup of famous supporters, including:
- Olympic sprint legend Usain Bolt, who has been spotted at Old Trafford many times
- World heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, a vocal supporter who has met Sir Alex Ferguson
- Music stars such as Stormzy and Justin Timberlake
- Hollywood actress Julia Roberts, who’s visited the training ground
- Even Elon Musk and Kim Jong-Un have been linked to the club, proving its far-reaching appeal
Blessed by the Beautiful Game!
Brian Blessed’s football journey—from that magical match against Manchester United’s professionals to his double loyalty to Manchester and Newcastle—mirrors the boundless energy he brings to every part of his life. Whether he’s climbing Everest, playing Shakespeare, or belting out lines from the terraces, he approaches it all with unmatched enthusiasm.
And if you ever hear an earth-shaking “GLORY, GLORY MAN UNITED!” echo through Old Trafford, don’t be surprised—it might just be Brian Blessed making his presence known. His voice could probably carry across Manchester… and maybe all the way to Newcastle.
