Indie rock band The Libertines have been announced as the main shirt sponsors for non-league football side Margate FC for the 2018/19 season.
The band’s logo will be emblazoned on the front of the home and away shirts of the Kent-based team, who play in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
The band, who are known for songs such as Don’t Look Back Into The Sun and Can’t Stand Me Now, originally formed in London in 1997. They have recently started building a new studio and hotel in the seaside town called The Albion Rooms.
✖️ Time for heroes! Proud sponsors of @Margate_FC. pic.twitter.com/boZ7xoe1wu
— Libertines (@libertines) August 10, 2018
The band announced the collaboration by sharing a picture on social media of the team’s blue home shirt, complete with the group’s own motif.
With a reference to one of the band’s songs the tweet said: “Time for heroes! Proud sponsors of Margate FC.”
The same photo was also shared on guitarist and vocalist Pete Doherty’s Instagram profile.
Ahead of the team’s opening match against Corinthian-Casuals, Margate FC’s general manager Deny Wilson said: “With little under 24 hours until the new season starts we are thrilled to share the news that one of the world’s most loved bands, The Libertines, will be our shirt sponsors this season.
“It’s a pioneering partnership and one we firmly believe will be a huge hit with supporters at Hartsdown Park, residents across Thanet and music fans across the world.
“We’ve got a series of exciting things lined up and truly believe we can work together to help showcase Margate to as large an audience as possible.
“We look forward to welcoming the band to watch games and there’s no doubt they’ll get a warm reception from fans!”
On Monday it was announced the four-piece – which consists of Doherty, guitarist and singer Carl Barat, bassist John Hassall and drummer Gary Powell – will headline the Wheels and Fins music festival in Kent.
They have also curated the line-up for the main stage and will be supported by the likes of Echo and the Bunnymen and Chas and Dave.
Another band that previously had its name appear on a football team’s shirts is Welsh rock band Super Furry Animals. In 1999 the group sponsored Cardiff City’s shirts for the club’s matches in the FAW Cup.
The logo of Nottingham duo Sleaford Mods was put on south Wales under-nines team The Seven Sisters AFC’s shirts last year.
The record label owned by Fatboy Slim (real name Norman Cook) Skint Records was the main shirt sponsor of the DJ’s favourite team Brighton and Hove Albion for nine years.