Hollywood United's sports and entertainment personalities are bonded by their passion for soccer and their desire to help the world become a better place, and recognizes that many of its members are famous and this provides a means by which we can help those less fortunate both in our community and throughout the world. Hollywood United Football Club is able to leverage its unique position in the soccer world to provide hope by sharing our love of the game in charity events.

Some of Hollywood United's recent charity events include:

Champions United v. Hollywood United, November 22, 2008. As part of the activities surrounding the 2008 MLS Cup Hollywood United will host a special charity match. All proceeds from the match, including donations collected on the day of the game, will be for people whose lives were severely affected by the devastation of Hurricane Ike. Kickoff is at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 22nd at the Home Depot Center, field #5. Players for Hollywood in this game include Ziggy Marley, Santiago Cabrera, Jimmy Jean-Louis and John Harkes.[1]

Goal.com clip featuring Hollywood United and Grassroots Soccer charity match in NYC 10/08



Los Angeles Galaxy v. Hollywood United, November 4, 2007. Following the string of devastating wildfires in Southern California, the LA Galaxy, Hollywood United F.C. and the Herbalife Family Foundation joined together to host a special charity match. All proceeds from the match, including donations collected on the day of the game, went towards the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army to aid in their efforts to assist those affected by the wild fires.
Players for Hollywood in this game included, in addition to their usual celebrities, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Joe-Max Moore, Jorge Campos and Yari Allnutt.[2]

Hollywood United featured on World Football includes charity match with DC United Alum. 01/08



Match to Benefit Survivors of Torture, July 22, 2007. Proceeds from the event benefited PTV, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free medical care, psychological evaluation and other essential social services to alleviate the suffering and health consequences of torture victims living in Los Angeles. Funds raised at the event also benefited the Hollywood United Youth Soccer Association (HUYSA), an organization dedicated to supporting youth soccer programs.
Match to Benefit Children of Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, June 15, 2007.
Hollywood United Football club participated in a match against a team of Mexican International legends. Luis Hernández, Benjamin Galindo, and Adolfo Rios spearheaded the Mexican team against Hollywood United regulars Eric Wynalda, Richard Gough, and Jimmy Jean-Louis. The event raised thousands of dollars to benefit the homeless children of Puerta Vallarta, Mexico

Origins
The original group of ex-pats included several US-based English celebrities from the world of music, film and television, including Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, Billy Duffy and Ian Astbury of The Cult, and Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard. Word eventually spread throughout the entertainment world about the club and its players and, before long, not only other well-known stars, but also former national team soccer players from around the world asked to play. From these humble beginnings 20 years ago the Hollywood United Football Club has grown into what it is today; a star-studded, world famous, and competitively successful soccer club.

Initially, Hollywood United basically had one team that competed in different Sunday leagues around Los Angeles, including the Los Angeles Metro League and the Glendale League. It was loosely organized and comprised roughly of the same 20 players in all games.

2003-2007
By the mid-2000s, there were two Hollywood United teams: an over-30s squad that competed in the Los Angeles Premier League from 2003 to 2005, and then in the now-defunct Olympic Soccer League from 2005-2006, and a Sunday League team that of older players that did not want to compete with the younger players. Both teams played their home games at Crossroads High School in Santa Monica, California.

The over-30s team started to be the focus of international notoriety when people such as actors Anthony LaPaglia, Dermot Mulroney, Brandon Routh, Ralf Little, Donal Logue, and Jimmy Jean-Louis, singers Robbie Williams and Ziggy Marley, film director Danny Cannon, Los Angeles Galaxy veteran Paul Bravo, and former international soccer players Vinnie Jones, Eric Wynalda, John Harkes, Alexi Lalas, Richard Gough and Frank Leboeuf, began playing regularly for the team.
Hollywood United qualified for the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by going 3-0-0 in a group with National Premier Soccer League's Santa Cruz County Breakers, San Diego United and Phoenix Banat Arsenal. They then advanced to the First Round to take on the Portland Timbers of the USL First Division.
Hollywood stunned the Timbers by beating them 3-2 thanks to penalties from Matt Taylor, but were defeated 6-0 by Seattle Sounders in the second round.

Hollywood United FC
http://www.hollywoodutd.com/

Famous players

Manager Ian Carrington gives a rundown on the celebrity members of Hollywood United.

Vinnie Jones, soccer pro turned actor ("Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," "Snatch," "X-Men: The Last Stand"): "Ruthless defender with Wimbledon, Chelsea and Wales – now plays center-forward. A juggernaut in attack and an inspirational motivator."

Jason Statham, actor ("The Transporter," "The Italian Job," "War"): "Plays right-wing and, like you see in his films, he's got one hell of a drop kick."

Anthony LaPaglia, actor ("Murder One" and "Without a Trace"): "Heartbeat of the club who still shows flashes of the ability that made him a professional goalkeeper in Australia in the late-1970s."

Richard Gough, soccer pro and manager (Glasgow Rangers and Scotland national team): "Masterful central defender who still has his skills and fitness even at the age of 45. Solid as a rock."

Danny Cannon, director and producer ("Goal! The Movie" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"): "Plays like a terrier at right-back and works as hard as anyone on the pitch."

Frank Leboeuf, former soccer pro (Chelsea and France national team): "Has put on only two pounds since his playing days. Now operates in central midfield with the enthusiasm and fitness of a teenager."

Jimmy-Jean Louis, actor ("Heroes"): "Defensive midfielder who likes to push forwards. Strong and physical – and a bit of a mind-reader, like his 'Heroes' character."

Steve Jones, musician (The Sex Pistols): "Big striker who terrifies defenders. Nicknamed 'The Shepherds Bush goal machine' after the area of London he hails from."

Alexi Lalas, soccer pro turned MLS president (Los Angeles Galaxy): "Despite having the weight of the world on his shoulders since David Beckham arrived in town, he is still as keen as a 21-year-old."

Eric Wynalda, soccer pro (USA's all-time leading goal scorer): "Dynamic forward who still has the blistering turn of pace reminiscent of his international days."

Vivian Campbell, musician (Def Leppard): "An Irish midfield general in the mold of his fellow countryman Roy Keane. Keeps things tight and organized."

Ray Winstone, actor ("King Arthur," "Cold Mountain," "The Departed"): "Still got the touch needed to play up front, mixed with the aggression that makes him a feared opponent."

Ian Astbury, musician (The Cult): "Midfielders need to watch out when he is prowling around the center of the pitch – he will bite yer legs!"

Billy Duffy, musician (The Cult): "Despite being a Manchester City supporter, he has a surprisingly masterful left foot."





Hollywood United's surroundings may be short on glitz and glamour, but that sits just fine with the collection of luminaries from the entertainment world that populate the club's teams.

Actors such as Anthony LaPaglia, Jimmy-Jean Louis, Vinnie Jones and Jason Statham, director Danny Cannon and musicians like Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols and Vivian Campbell from Def Leppard relish the opportunity to get away from the world of red carpets and hangers-on and simply enjoy their favorite game.

Twice a week, they rub shoulders with teammates that include former soccer professionals, European expatriates and a sprinkling of local talent for matches in Los Angeles league play as well as charity and tour games.

An hour spent in the company of the over-38s side was more than enough to realize that for the high-profile members of Hollywood United, the club, the game of soccer, and the spirit of competition provide a welcome distraction from the surreal showbiz existence that for them is a reality.

"Playing with these lads is one of the highlights of my life," said Steve Jones, who helped bring punk music into the mainstream as the Sex Pistols' guitarist. "I try to play twice a week, even if my back is killing me, and it gets rid of the mundane monotony of life. Here is the only place I can get this sort of camaraderie."


Things are very different now, having been pushed forward by FA Cup winning defender-turned-actor Vinnie Jones and others to the level that Hollywood United now has a uniform sponsor in adidas. Also, few amateur teams can claim to be able to travel to away matches by private jet, a luxury made possible by club president LaPaglia, whose financial backing allows United to be run in an organized and professional manner.

LaPaglia has installed long-serving member Ian Carrington, who moved to California from England to set up a carpentry business 15 years ago and has established himself as Hollywood's most respected advisor on soccer films, in a full-time organizational role. Carrington's position does not have an official title, which is just as well, considering that he – depending on the time of day – acts as manager, coach, secretary, administrator, sponsorship executive and media officer.

For him, witnessing the recent growth – mixed with the chance to deal with what he describes as "inspirational" stars of screen, showbiz and soccer – makes the workload easily worthwhile.

"There is something special about this club and it is great to see how it has come along," said Carrington, who sheds his cheerful and friendly personality for just a moment to yell at the over-38s to "show some (expletive) pride" as they slip further towards a defeat.

"The game is growing in the United States and we can be a part of that, but we will never forget where we started out and will never allow the enjoyment factor to be lost."

Future growth could revolve around LaPaglia, who harbors ambitions to own a Major League Soccer club and may be keen to use the Hollywood United brand name as the cornerstone for a new franchise. Whether or not that happens, the social aspect will remain. Hollywood United has recently added extra teams to accommodate loyal devotees who no longer have the stamina to play for the first eleven.

WE ARE FAMILY

Early problems facing the club included finding an appropriate place to play, although with the increase in fields due to soccer's growing popularity, that is no longer such a pressing issue – even though rents in west L.A. are prohibitive.

Nowadays, the most common obstacle facing United's teams is the frequency with which their opponents bring in accomplished "ringers" before they face them. Carrington also insists rival teams "step up their game whenever they play us." Movie credits and top 40 hits don't buy any extra favors on the field.

"This is the most democratic sport in the world," said LaPaglia, the lead actor in the TV crime drama "Without a Trace" and an Emmy and Golden Globe award winner. "When you cross the white line, it doesn't matter if you are educated, uneducated, poor or rich. Everyone is the same."

That mentality pervades throughout the club. Eric Wynalda's United States goal-scoring record, Danny Cannon's success as director of "Goal! The Movie" and producer of "CSI," or Jimmy-Jean Louis' fame as a star in "Heroes" all count for nothing here.

Egos must be checked at the door.

"This is a family of sorts," Cannon said. "There will be some people who won't fit in. What I like about it here is that nobody gives a (expletive) about what I do for a living and I don't give a (expletive) about what they do. No one is more important than anyone else and you need people who understand that."

There is a feeling at Hollywood United that with a full-strength team they could possibly give the Galaxy a run for their money.

Former Chelsea star Frank Leboeuf, also a World Cup winner with France in 1998, is still in excellent shape as is former Scotland defender Richard Gough. Wynalda, when fit, rarely misses a scoring chance and ex-professionals Derk Droze and Oliver Biaggi both played in Europe. There are also some promising young Americans breaking through, too. In Jason Boyce, Hollywood United has a talented midfield general who should be playing at a higher level.

The most refreshing aspect of the club is how, as a payoff for the enjoyment its players have received from soccer, is putting something back. A recent tie-in with a Santa Monica youth club has effectively brought 20 extra teams and more than 200 youngsters under the Hollywood United umbrella, a project overseen by former D.C. United player David Vaudreuil.

"That can be something really positive," Carrington said. "Over the next few years, Hollywood United could mean different things to different people, but overall I believe we are doing something good for the game in this country.

"People will take notice of what we do because we have got some well-known players, so it is important we send out the right message."

from yahoo.