Shrewsbury Town shirt for Hollywood star

Shrewsbury Town Football Club has recruited a new fan – in the shape of Hollywood A-lister Jason Bateman.

The Horrible Bosses star was presented with a Town shirt when he made an appearance on ITV1 breakfast show Daybreak.

And club officials today said Mr Bateman, who has also appeared in Juno and The Switch, was welcome at Greenhous Meadow any time.

Mr Bateman was on Daybreak to promote his latest comedy The Change Up, in which he co-stars with Ryan Reynolds.

He was handed the Salop shirt by presenter Adrian Chiles after revealing his links to Shrewsbury, where his mother was born.

Bateman said: "I have some English blood, my mother's British and was born in Shrewsbury. I don't think I've ever been to there. If I have it was before I started remembering things."

After being presented with the shirt, which had his name on the back, the Hollywood star said he was planning to give it to his mother as a reminder of her roots.

"My mother is going to be so happy. She might not fit in this but I will try. Thank you very, very much."

Mr Bateman, who appeared as a child in Little House on the Prairie and made his name in cult television series Arrested Development, has previously said that his mother's British sense of humour rubbed off on him and influenced his style of comedy.

Ian Bebbington, operations manager at Shrewsbury Town, said: "It was excellent, just getting Shrewsbury mentioned on national television is always good.

"To be linked with a Hollywood actor like that, I'm sure will get people talking."

He said Mr Bateman would be made very welcome if he ever wanted to watch a game at the Greenhous Meadow.

"I'm sure we could find him a nice seat to watch a game of soccer, as they say in America," he said.

Mr Bebbington said Daybreak producers had bought a shirt from the club a few days ago.