Elton John’s Other Football Club

 Did You Know? Elton John’s Other Football Club

(Edited and expanded version — Second Edition.)
Everyone knows that Elton John is passionate about Watford. The Rocket Man was even president of the “Golden Boys” on two occasions, leading them from the Fourth Division to the First Division in 1982, earning a place in the 1983/84 UEFA Cup, and reaching the 1984 FA Cup Final. His successful management made him an honorary president, and his name remains immortalized in one of the stands at Vicarage Road.

But few people know that Elton John also owned another football club — on the other side of the Atlantic. During the 1970s, in the golden era of the North American Soccer League (NASL), several clubs emerged across the United States, and one of them was the Los Angeles Aztecs.

The NASL — not to be confused with the modern league of the same name — was created in 1968 in the United States and Canada to become the soccer equivalent of the NFL or the NBA. The league became famous for its galaxy of stars, particularly those who played for the New York Cosmos. You might have heard of a few of them: Pelé, Carlos Alberto Torres, and Franz Beckenbauer.

In 1974, Elton John was already vice-president of Watford — a more symbolic than administrative role — and one of the world’s most famous rock stars. It was around the time of his landmark album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973), often regarded as one of his greatest works.

That same year, Dr. Jack Gregory, a Los Angeles real-estate magnate, invited Elton to join the ownership group of the Los Angeles Aztecs. In a local television interview, Gregory explained that having Elton involved would help popularize the sport in the U.S., given his immense fame and love of football. Since Elton owned a home in Los Angeles and was already splitting his time between England and America, he saw no reason to refuse.

There may have also been a sentimental reason. Elton’s cousin, Roy Dwight — a former Nottingham Forest winger and 1959 FA Cup winner — had been involved in organizing British clubs’ participation in the first United Soccer Association (USA) championship in 1967. That spring tournament brought together clubs from several countries, including Bangu from Brazil (playing as the Houston Stars), in an early attempt to ignite American interest in “soccer.”

The Aztecs’ first season in 1974 could not have been better. They won the NASL Championship, defeating the Miami Toros on penalties at the Orange Bowl in Miami. However, that would be their first and only title.

By 1975, the arrival of Pelé at the Cosmos and Eusébio at the Boston Minutemen completely changed the competitive landscape of American soccer. Clubs realized the game had entered a new era — and needed reinforcements. The Aztecs countered by signing none other than Northern Irish legend George Best in early 1976.

Elton John’s participation in the Aztecs officially began in late 1975. Reports from the time described him as a minority shareholder, with an estimated stake between 20% and 25%. His role was primarily promotional, using his name and influence to elevate the club’s visibility. The NASL even granted Elton permission to sit on the team bench during matches — a symbolic gesture that highlighted his association with the club.

Although Elton rarely attended the team’s training sessions or handled daily operations, his image and support gave the Aztecs international attention. The arrival of George Best was widely connected to Elton’s involvement, as both shared a flamboyant lifestyle and were already acquainted from the London celebrity scene.

Best’s transfer to the Aztecs in 1976 was a major coup for American soccer. At 30, after a turbulent departure from Manchester United — including suspensions, disappearances, and brief retirements — Best found in Los Angeles a new beginning. He embraced the city’s nightlife, opened a pub in Hermosa Beach, and met his first wife, Angie Best, a former model and Playboy Bunny. On the field, he scored 15 goals in 23 games, earning a place in the NASL All-Star Team alongside Pelé, Bobby Moore, and Giorgio Chinaglia.

However, by the summer of 1976, both Best and Elton had returned to England. Best joined Fulham in the Second Division, while Elton — at age 29 — bought a majority stake in Watford, becoming its official chairman. Around this time, Elton sold his share of the Los Angeles Aztecs to businessman Alan Rothenberg, who would later become president of the U.S. Soccer Federation and play a key role in bringing the 1994 FIFA World Cup to the United States. The World Cup final, coincidentally, took place at the Rose Bowl — the former home of the Aztecs.

Elton’s tenure with the Los Angeles Aztecs lasted roughly from 1975 to 1977. According to reports from FourFourTwo and other sources, he was a “hands-off” owner — investing money and prestige rather than engaging in management decisions. His presence, though, helped elevate the club’s reputation, attract sponsors, and connect Hollywood culture with the growing soccer movement in America.

After Elton’s departure, the Aztecs continued to attract major names. In 1979, they signed Dutch icons Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff, two central figures of the “Total Football” era. But despite these efforts, financial difficulties and inconsistent results led the club to close its doors in 1981.

Elton John’s adventure with the Los Angeles Aztecs was brief but remarkable — a unique blend of music, sport, and 1970s glamour. It showed how his love for football transcended borders, from the modest pitches of Vicarage Road to the sunlit stadiums of California.

Sources:

https://beyondthelastman.com/2012/07/19/elton-johns-football-clubs/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Aztecs
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1981-10-18-sp-6801-story.html
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/feb/10/elton-john-watford-football
https://www.nasljerseys.com/Rosters/Aztecs_Rosters.htm
https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Archive-Modern-Recording/70s/Modern-Recording-1976-06-07.pdf
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/when-the-nasl-rocked-america-elton-john-george-best-los-angeles-aztecs
https://www.nytimes.com/1975/11/05/archives/aztecs-get-elton-johns-help.html