US rock band Wheatus sponsor U13s football team in Worcestershire

An unlikely friendship has led to an even more unlikely partnership, with US rock band Wheatus sponsoring a Worcestershire youth football team.

Nunnery Wood U13s Phoenix, based in Worcester, now wear kits bearing the Teenage Dirtbag band's logo after coach Graham approached them for support.

The connection began when Graham and his son Bertie, both fans of the group, met members of Wheatus at a gig in Gloucester and stayed in touch afterwards.

"I thought Wheatus' logo would look amazing on a football shirt," Graham said, adding: "I cheekily asked if they fancied sponsoring the team, and they said yes."

Graham has been a fan of Wheatus since the band's self-titled debut album was released in 2000 and won tickets to meet the sextet at Gloucester Guildhall in 2023.

After introducing his son to their music he knew he needed to take Bertie along, however, he was too young to attend at the time.

But the band managed to pull some strings that enabled the then nine-year-old to meet his heroes.

Once the meet and greet was over, Graham stayed in touch with the band's bassist Matthew, as they had "lots in common".

The New York rock band formed in 1995, with their biggest hit topping the UK charts in 2000. Their second single, a cover of Erasure's A Little Respect, reached number three.

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Frontman Brendan B Brown said agreeing to sponsor the side required little thought.

"We have fans who are no longer fans, they're more like family members, and Graham is one of those guys," he said.

"Graham and Bertie are part of that family."

Brown said the band wanted to help remove financial barriers that could prevent young people from taking part in sport.

"Just knowing that a little bit of funding is out there making it possible for a bunch of kids to get on the pitch, that's really enough for me," he said.

"We weren't always in a position to donate funds to anything - lately that's changed."

Brown added that he thought the new kits looked "rad and totally awesome", and even teased a private gig could be in store as a treat.

"If they really do very well, they do deserve at least an acoustic performance in the locker room," he said.

"Wouldn't that be appropriate, that they get a private show?"

Bertie said it would be "really cool" if Wheatus were ever able to perform for the team.

Brown suggested that could be a possibility, joking that if the players continued their success they might earn such a gig.

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