Russell Brand: Honorary Club Member

Members of the 1st & 4th Club, allow me to introduce our newest (honorary) member: actor/comedian/author Russell Brand.

Considering he's witty, smart, and sexy (a dangerous combination to which all 1st 4th-ers aspire, but so few of us achieve), it's really a wonder that Russell Brand didn't receive this distinguished honour years ago. But it was only mere days ago that his passion for our beloved past-time came to light. For you see, Mr. Brand is indeed a brilliant dilettante, and yet among his myriad pursuits, Subbuteo remains close to his heart.

Whilst waxing poetic on the soon-to-be-beatified Sir Alex Ferguson, Mr. Brand let slip that Subbuteo was among his childhood hobbies:

I can just about remember [Ferguson's] appointment in the 80s; I would likely have enacted it through my voodoo Subbuteo rituals, which always had more peripheral theatricality than other boys'. Managers were not provided by the manufacturers so I'd outsource the role to Star Wars figures. They were as disposable and interchangeable as their human counterparts and often more discerning in the transfer market. [my italics]

So not only is Mr. Brand a rabid fan of his own football side (West Ham) and quick to lionize SAF, he's a former Subbuteo enthusiast who actually used Star Wars figurines on the sidelines--a proud tradition in our own club. We welcome you to that elite Club, Mr. Brand. You'll soon consider yourself lucky to have your celebrity associated with the many noble causes this Club endorses--which will then receive a notable boost due to your notoriety. (It's win-win!) So, consider yourself invited to our next tourney. And please feel free to bring along your gf (win-win-win!)