US Rock Band Wheatus Sponsors UK Youth Football Team

US rock band Wheatus has sponsored a Worcestershire youth football team, Nunnery Wood U13s Phoenix, after the team's coach, Graham, met the band at a gig and asked for their support. The team now wears kits bearing the band's logo.

The connection between Graham and Wheatus began when he met the band's members at a gig in Gloucester and stayed in touch afterwards. Graham has been a fan of Wheatus since the band's self-titled debut album was released in 2000. He won tickets to meet the band at Gloucester Guildhall in 2023, and although his son Bertie was too young to attend the gig, the band arranged for him to meet them anyway.

Wheatus' frontman, Brendan B Brown, said the band wanted to help remove financial barriers that could prevent young people from taking part in sport. Brown suggested that if the team continues to do well, they might earn a private acoustic performance by Wheatus as a treat.

## Why it matters The sponsorship is a significant boost for the youth football team, and it highlights the importance of removing financial barriers in sports. Wheatus' support will help the team to continue playing and developing their skills without worrying about the financial costs. The partnership also shows the positive impact that music and sports can have on young people's lives.

Wheatus formed in 1995 and had their biggest hit top the UK charts in 2000. The band's second single, a cover of Erasure's A Little Respect, reached number three in the UK charts. With their sponsorship of Nunnery Wood U13s Phoenix, Wheatus is giving back to the community and supporting the next generation of football players.