Wheatus sponsor Worcester sports team
A cheeky email, a chance meeting at a gig and a shared love of rock music have brought an unlikely sponsorship deal to Worcester’s Nunnery Wood FC Under-13 Phoenix, with New York band Wheatus backing the young footballers for the next two seasons.
The band, best known for their 2000 hit Teenage Dirtbag, agreed to sponsor the team after coach Graham Blundell took a chance and contacted them. The result is a welcome boost for grassroots football, helping fund new kit and other essential expenses.
The story began three years ago when Blundell’s son, Bertie, developed a love of Wheatus at the age of nine. The family subsequently won tickets to see the band at Gloucester Guildhall, where they met bassist Matthew Milligan and stayed in touch by email.
Inspired by seeing 90s band Carter & The Unstopable Sex Machine use football shirts as merchandise, Blundell decided to ask whether Wheatus might consider backing his son’s team.
“I thought I would be cheeky and ask,” he said. “It is amazing really because I did not think they would ever agree to it, as not many bands have done this before.”
Bertie was delighted by the news. “My son was really happy and said it was really cool,” his dad added. “He was quite chuffed – I think the other lads are happy too.”
The new strip replaces a kit that had been in use for two seasons, with the sponsorship helping ease the financial pressure on a club where parents pay monthly subscriptions to cover running costs.
“I think it is always good for children to get into sports and out of the house and hopefully this will help provide the facilities to do that,” Blundell said. “Football helps them let off steam and there are few facilities to do that nowadays.”
He added that every contribution makes a difference to grassroots clubs, helping young people enjoy sport in a competitive environment.
“Every little helps and it is for the enjoyment of the children. It is really, really helpful and helps keep these clubs going.”
For Wheatus, the deal also offers a chance to introduce their music to a younger generation, while the Phoenix gain a smart new kit and valuable support for the seasons ahead.
With Teenage Dirtbag reaching No.2 in the UK singles chart and the band’s cover of A Little Respect climbing to No.3, Wheatus have a sizeable musical legacy. Now they are helping a group of Worcester teenagers make their own memories – this time on the football pitch.
Nunnery Wood FC has thanked the band for their generosity and support through Grassroots Football UK.