Oldham music legends the Inspiral Carpets agree unique and exciting Uppermill football club sponsorship deal

A link-up idea discussed over a beer in a Dobcross pub has led to a unique and exciting local football club sponsorship deal.

It has been revealed that Oldham music legends and early 90s 'Madchester' faves the Inspiral Carpets have decided to sponsor the away strips of forward-thinking Uppermill FC, and the eye-catching strips for the forthcoming season are now on sale and can be bought by footy and music fans from across the globe.

Uppermill FC CEO Steve Southern explained to the Chronicle how the deal idea was initially spawned.

Steve said: "The idea to try and link UFC and the Carpets arrived when I was having a beer at The Swan in Dobcross; trying to think of something interesting for Uppermill FC to do, that might be fun, newsworthy and help us generate the always needed funding.

"I contacted my best mate's brother, Dave Bradbury, knowing that he was a huge fan and friend of the legendary Inspiral Carpets. 

"Dave put me in contact with the Carpets' lead guitarist, Graham Lambert, an old friend of mine from when we both grew up in Chadderton - I was one of those annoying little kids who'd follow the older kids around, hoping to be included in one of their 15-a-side football kickabouts!

"I asked if Graham would mind us using the Inspiral Carpets name on an away kit idea I was devising for our senior teams.

"The logic being - Oldham band, Oldham football team - it's as good a logic as any.

"Graham was immediately interested and said he would speak to the band. 

"With the band almost convinced, I had to speak to our kit designers and manufacturers, Hope & Glory (another Oldham-founded business) to complete the Oldham triangle.

"Hope & Glory were intrigued by the idea and immediately jumped into action, creating an Inspirals themed away kit and training top."

Uppermill FC's seniors will now sport a rather unique Inspiral Carpets-themed yellow and blue away kit next season.

Steve added: "Not many clubs can claim such an illustrious icon of the music business as their shirt leader.

"Such is the expected popularity of the kit that the club is now selling replica shirts and training shirts.

"We are hoping that the shirts will prove popular with Inspiral Carpets fans the world over!"

Guitarist Graham, who still lives locally, said of the deal: "It's really exciting, and it's a ground-breaking deal in so many ways.

"We've seen the shirts and they're fantastic. 

"The detail is incredible, and that's down to some terrific research.

"You can see there's little snippets around the band logo, of our hit single 'Saturn 5', of John Cooper Clarke, and the cow image too of course.

"It's a great deal for both parties - for a young up and coming football club to be associated with a band who we think are still relevant in youth culture is brilliant for everyone.

"To see the Uppermill teams running out with a shirt on showing the name of a band who have been on the music scene since the late 1980s will be awesome."

The Inspiral Carpets (pictured above) - who also feature mainstays Clint Boon and front-man Stephen Holt - are heading out on a huge nationwide tour again in October and November.

However, Graham has revealed that the new sponsored Uppermill FC shirts will get a first official outing when the band play the Kendal Calling festival in August.

Drummer Kev has agreed to model one of the shirts during the Carpets' set, so watch out for that.

Uppermill FC - with Simon Tait in the chairman role - continue to push forward as one of the most progressive and innovative clubs in local football.

The new shirts can now be ordered from the Hope & Glory website here

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.