Wheatus sponsor Worcester youth football team after coach’s request

Worcester youth football team Nunnery Wood U13s Phoenix have secured shirt sponsorship from American rock band Wheatus, with the players now wearing kits carrying the group's logo. BBC News reported on October 20 that the arrangement grew out of a friendship between the team's coach, Graham, his son Bertie and members of the band, rather than an existing sporting connection.

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Graham approached Wheatus about supporting the team after staying in contact with the musicians following a meeting in Gloucester. He told the BBC he thought their logo would work well on a football shirt and asked whether they would consider sponsoring the side. The band agreed, turning that request into a new kit partnership for the Worcestershire youngsters.

The relationship began in 2023, when Graham won tickets to meet Wheatus at Gloucester Guildhall. A fan since the release of their self-titled debut album in 2000, he had introduced Bertie to their music and wanted to take him along. Bertie was nine at the time and initially too young to attend, but the band helped arrange for him to meet them.

After that encounter, Graham kept in touch with bassist Matthew, saying the pair shared several interests. Frontman Brendan B Brown told BBC reporter Millie Trenholm that agreeing to the sponsorship was an easy decision. He described Graham and Bertie as belonging to a wider group of supporters whose relationships with the musicians had become more like family connections.

Brown said the band's support was intended to help reduce the financial obstacles that can stop children taking part in sport. Making funding available so young players could get onto the pitch was sufficient motivation, he explained. He also said Wheatus had not always been able to make donations, but that their circumstances had recently changed to make such support possible.

The partnership could eventually include a musical reward, although no performance was confirmed. Brown floated the idea of an acoustic show for the players if they did particularly well, suggesting a dressing-room appearance. Bertie welcomed the possibility of the band performing for his team. For now, the confirmed outcome of the friendship is Wheatus' backing for the side and its presence on the players' shirts.