26 Feb 2015

Russell Crowe to buy Leeds Utd?

12:11 pm on 26 February 2015

Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe has asked his Twitter followers whether it would be a good idea to buy Championship club Leeds United.

The English club are owned by Eleonora Sport Limited but banned president Massimo Cellino has sold his personal stake in both the company and Leeds.

Russell Crowe has asked his Twitter followers if he should buy Leeds Utd.

Russell Crowe has asked his Twitter followers if he should buy Leeds Utd. Photo: AFP

New Zealand-born Crowe, who is a Leeds supporter, would consider buying the club if he was approached and had the backing of fans, the BBC reports.

Leeds are currently 14th in the table.

Crowe, 50, is already the co-owner of rugby league club South Sydney Rabbitohs, who play in Australia's National Rugby League.

His affection for Leeds dates back to his schooldays, when he used to watch editions of the BBC's Match of the Day.

While his brother, Terry, adopted Liverpool as his favourite team, Crowe went for Leeds, who at the time were enjoying the greatest period in their history under manager Don Revie.

As recently as Saturday, Crowe tweeted his support for the club following a surprise win at Middlesbrough.

Leeds have been dogged by off-field problems in recent seasons and have had a succession of managers since Cellino became involved with the club last April.

The 58-year-old Italian, who was found guilty of tax evasion in an Italian court last year, is currently barred from running the club until 10 April after failing the Football League's "fit and proper person's test".

Responding to a message on Twitter imploring him to buy Leeds United, Crowe, who has around 1.67m followers on the social media site, replied: "Anybody else think this is a good idea?"

The reaction from Leeds fans was overwhelmingly positive.

Leeds Fans LLP, a group supporting fan ownership of the Championship club, told Crowe they wanted a "fan voice on the board" and they "would love to have" him involved.

That prompted Crowe, who has an estimated net worth of $75 million to lay out his management "vision".

"There has to be one voice that sets the tone," he wrote. "Every thought and every decision has to be about success on the field."

Leeds have not received an approach from Crowe the BBC reports.

- BBC