DIFFERENT PITCH
Celebrities who almost became footballers, from Dr Who star Matt Smith to Gladiators presenter Bradley Walsh
Gladiators presenter Bradley Walsh could have been a Brentford star, while actor Matt Smith was on trial at Forest
THESE celebrities found fame by other means - be it in the world of TV, as singers or actors.
But, had they gone down a different path or fate not led them in a different direction, they could have become footballers.
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Some have relived their glory and showcased their skills on Soccer Aid.
While others have retired gracefully, happy to be fans of the Beautiful Game instead.
So, which celebs could have become football stars instead?
Olly Murs
Man Utd fan Olly dreamed of becoming a footballer, well before he got his big break on The X Factor.
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He played semi-pro for Isthmian Division One North side Witham Town between 2006 and 2008.
However, injury cut his career short.
He became co-owner of Essex side Coggeshall Town in 2017, until stepping down in 2022.
Matt Smith
The Dr Who and House of the Dragon actor had trials at both Nottingham Forest and Leicester City.
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But, spondylosis, a degenerative condition affecting spinal discs, forced him to quit the game aged just 16.
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He told BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs: “All I did was play football 10 hours a day. It came easily and naturally.
"It was very difficult for me to tell people that I had been released (from the team). The vain part of me was like, ‘I am Matt and I am the footballer.'"
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Bradley Walsh
Before he kept the Gladiators in check and was a quizmaster on The Chase, TV presenter Walsh had aspirations at Brentford.
He failed to make a first-team appearance but did play four times for Barnet in a loan spell in the 1979-80 season.
Injuries cut short his career at the age of 21 as he failed to overcome an ankle fracture.
Walsh previously revealed football was his life and regretted not getting his coaching badges.
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Sergio Pizzorno
The Kasabian axeman is a very decent player.
He famously showed off his volleying prowess on Soccer AM challenge.
Then, he followed that up by lobbing David Seaman from long range at Soccer Aid.
Leicester City fan Pizzorno also had a trial at Nottingham Forest.
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Sean Connery
The definitive 007 could have been just as famous a footballer, had he taken up an offer from the legendary Sir Matt Busby.
The Man Utd icon offered Connery a contract with the Red Devils worth £25 a week after seeing him play a match in the 1960s.
"I really wanted to accept because I loved football," Connery recalled. "But I realised that a top-class footballer could be over the hill by the age of 30, and I was already 23."
Instead, he became a Hollywood actor, appearing in seven James Bond movies, as well as an Oscar winner for The Untouchables.
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Colin Farrell
Movie star Farrell also fancied himself as a footballer - appearing for national trials in Ireland.
But, his hellraiser behaviour aged just 14 showed a distinct lack of discipline needed for that role.
“I played until I was about 15 and I thought it was what I wanted to do. And then I realised I'd do something less meaningful, like acting,” he told US chat show David Letterman.
“I thought I might have been (good enough), but I had a can of beer when I was 14 and that was the end of that. I didn't want it enough.”
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Louis Tomlinson
One Direction singer Louis lived a boyhood dream in 2014, when he turned out for his favourite club Doncaster Rovers.
He can't have been too nervous, having filled out stadiums with the pop group a few years prior around the globe and earned worldwide fame and success.
But, it fulfilled his lifelong ambition when he was handed the No28 shirt.
“This has always been a childhood dream for me," he said.
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Johnny Marr
Smiths legend Marr is often seen in the stands with Noel Gallagher cheering on their beloved Manchester City.
However, life could have been different if the rock guitarist hadn't worn make-up during his trial with the club.
"I didn't take football seriously enough to push it to the next level,” Marr explained.
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"I'd go for a trial and take to the pitch wearing eyeliner. Half the opposition team were looking at the mascara and thinking, 'We'd better stay away from him'.
"The other half just wanted to kick lumps out of me."
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