Why Levi Colwill has joined Matt Le Tissier on board of non-league club as Chelsea star follows in Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's footsteps

Hollywood stars Reynolds and McElhenney stunned the footballing world when acquiring then National League side Wrexham in 2021. The likes of Tom Brady, JJ Watt, Michael B Jordan and Will Ferrell have since forged links with Birmingham, Burnley, Bournemouth and Leeds respectively.

Former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, alongside grime star Stormzy, has bought into Croydon Athletic, with England international Colwill now linking up with Southern League Premier Division South team Sholing FC – who also have Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier on their board.

Colwill, as a Southampton native, used to watch his uncles play for Sholing as a youngster – acting as a mascot for an FA Vase final victory at Wembley 10 years ago – and has said of becoming Associate Director, Community Ambassador, and Founder of The Levi Colwill Project: “It’s hugely important to me to put something back into my local club and community and I can’t think of a better vehicle than Sholing FC to do this. The Levi Colwill Project will financially support Project 5000 and we will assist in many other exciting ventures during the season. My family has been a huge support to me in my football career to date and I’m delighted that we will all be on this new journey working together in this new phase of the club. Being on the Board and in the role of Community Ambassador with Matt Le Tissier for Project 5000, is also something I was very keen on.

"I want to play my part in helping the club grow and it’s unbelievable to see the changes that have already happened over the summer. The new stand for 500 supporters, the new Directors stand, parking for over 100 cars, the new marquee for Fan-zones on a match day, free marquee hire for all Project 5000 season ticket holders and the pitch looking the best it’s ever been.”

Sholing FC CEO Paul Knott added: “This is incredible news for the club and the local community. We would like to thank Levi, Byron, Dan, Levis Dad, Levi Senior and Levi’s Mum, Debra for choosing our club to launch ‘The Levi Colwill Project’. The aim is to encourage as many children as possible to enjoy free football via our Project 5000 initiative where all under 19’s have free entry to Sholing FC matches. Adults will also enjoy entry for just £5. Levi will be announcing many exciting opportunities in the coming weeks which we are all thrilled to be part of.”

Colwill's uncles Barry, Byron and Dan Mason, as well as Marvin McLean, are all Sholing legends. McLean has made over 800 appearances from the club, while Byron Mason has played 750 games and brother Dan 550.

Colwill, who took in 32 appearances for Chelsea last season and made his senior England debut against Australia, has been freed to focus on personal projects this summer after being left out of the Three Lions’ squad for Euro 2024.