13 bands and musicians who have sponsored football clubs
Inspired by Ed Sheeran sponsoring Ipswich Town
Last updated 7th May 2021
After news broke recently of flame-haired acoustic pop trouabour Ed Sheeran sponsoring his beloved Ipswich Town, Absolute Radio takes a look at other musicians and band who have had their names emblazoned on football kits.
Featuring Jake Bugg, Iron Maiden, The Prodigy, Goldie Lookin Chain, Super Furry Animals, Motörhead, The Libertines, Wet Wet Wet and more, check out all of the kits below.
13 bands and musicians who have sponsored football teams:
Wet Wet Wet
Back in 1993, Scottish kings of soft rock Wet Wet Wet became the shirt sponsors of their local football team Clydebank F.C. Pictured is Marti Pellow and co. proudly clutching the home, away and third kits.
Motörhead
Metal legends Motörhead sponsored the Greenbank under-10s B team from Lincolnshire in 2006 after they were approached by the manager Gary Weight. He told the BBC: "It was from a bizarre idea one evening. I sent an email off to them and they came back and said it was a great idea. I knew Lemmy years ago and for him, I think the thought of a football team running out with the Motorhead logo made him chuckle a bit, so that's where it's come from."
Goldie Lookin Chain
Comedy rappers Goldie Lookin Chain sponsored Newport County AFC's football kit for their games in the Football Association of Wales Premier Cup in 2004. Band member Mike Balls said at the time: "It was designed by the fans - one of them designed it with the medallion round the neck just for the Welsh Cup, so hopefully we (Newport) can stay in it longer than we usually do."
Jake Bugg
Back in 2017, the then 23-year-old Jake Bugg signed a 10-month sponsorship deal with his beloved Notts County. He told BBC Nottingham: "It's amazing, to see your team out there playing nice football is great. For them to do it with your name on the front is even better. I'm sure there are places I've been like Germany or Brazil that might not have heard of them. It's nice to get the team's name out there."
Fatboy Slim
In 1999, chart-conquering dance titan Fatboy Slim invested £100,000 into his then impoverished local side Brighton and Hove Albion. In return, his Skint Records label logo was emblazoned on the front of the club's shirts for the next season.
Fatboy Slim
Fatboy Slim also launched a limited-edition Brighton shirt in 2004 to celebrate the release of his new studio album 'Palookaville.
The Prodigy
In 2012, dance-rock legends The Prodigy sponsored the Eastleigh Reds Under-13s football team in Hampshire. Liam Howlett was inspired to sponsor the team after hearing that they train to their thumping track 'Warrior's Dance'.
Bad Manners
Back in 1996, ska legends Bad Manners had their name emblazoned on Margate FC's shirt. Ahead of their 1997 FA Cup first round game against Fulham, singer Buster Bloodvessel went onto the pitch for a kickabout while proudly wearing the shirt.
Ed Sheeran
In May 2021, Ed Sheeran announced he's the new shirt sponsor for his team Ipswich Town. The one-year deal covers both the men and women's' teams. Ed said: "The football club is a big part of the local community and this is my way of showing my support. I have always enjoyed my trips to Portman Road and I'm looking forward to going back there as soon as supporters are allowed into stadiums again. With the new owners from the US coming in, there are sure to be exciting times ahead for Ipswich fans, including myself."
The Libertines
In 2018, The Libertines joined forces with Margate FC to launch a new kit. The band's logo was emblazoned on the front of the home and away shirts of the Kent-based team, who play in the Isthmian League Premier Division. New versions of the kit have been launched in subsequent seasons.
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden haven't officially sponsored bassist Steve Harris' beloved West Ham United, however in 2019 Maiden and West Ham joined forces to launch a collaborative kit. Dubbed Die With Your Boots On in homage to Iron Maiden's 1983 'Piece of Mind' track of the same name, the kit was designed by Steve alongside the East London football club. Pictured is Steve launching the kit with Pablo Zabaleta.
Iron Maiden
An away version of Iron Maiden's Die With Your Boots On kit was later launched in 2021.
Mogwai
Scottish post-rockers Mogwai were the shirt sponsors for St Roch's Primary and Deaf School in Roystonhill, Glasgow in 2018. Referencing Mogwai's 1997 debut album 'Mogwai Young Team', the primary school tweeted: "Mr McDonald and The Young Team of St Roch's Primary would like to thank @mogwaiband for sponsoring their new football strips! They look amazing! We can't thank you enough."
Super Furry Animals
Welsh purveyors of psychedelic indie, Super Furry Animals, sponsored Cardiff City for their Welsh cup run in 1999 and 2000. Gruff Rhys and Guto Price said: "We are both from Cardiff and City fans, but the other three band members are from north Wales and are not so big on Cardiff."
Enter Shikari
Electro-rockers Enter Shikari sponsored sixth tier football club St Albans City FC. "Growing up I was passionate about two things: football and music," said Enter Shikari bassist Chris Batten. "The reality is that sport and music go hand-in-hand when it comes to providing a positive outlet for young people, no matter what their background. SACFC lead the way with their community outreach programs and Enter Shikari couldn't be more proud to embark on a partnership with the club."
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