What could possibly connect a rock band from Atlanta in the USA and a part-time football club from Didcot?
You would imagine very little. But for Evo-Stik League South and West Division side Didcot Town, looking to America for sponsorship made just as much sense as keeping it local. The football club has secured a deal with indie rock band, Black Swan Lane, who have sponsored the club's wesbite since last summer.
Steve Clare, press officer for Didcot FC, made contact with Jack Sobel, founder member of Black Swan Lane last year, and since then they haven't looked back.
Mr Clare said: “I had contacted Jack about one of the band's records and in a subsequent exchange of emails he described how difficult it was getting any exposure for Black Swan Lane in the UK. It was then I suggested he sponsored a banner on the club's website linking supporters to the band and he jumped at the idea.
“It's possibly unique for a US-based band to get involved in a relatively small club like Didcot Town but not so daft when you think about it. The football club has a popular official website and it's a great outlet in the UK for the band to publicise their new album Staring Down The Path Of Sound while supporting us at the same time.
“Their music has a unique sound, but anyone who likes the Smiths, Echo & the Bunnymen, Joy Division, Cocteau Twins or even the Beatles I'm sure will hear something on the new album they like.
Although based in Atlanta, Black Swan Lane is also made up of a number of UK musicians including Mark Burgess, former frontman of the Chameleons.
Band founder Jack Sobel said: “I've received a few questions from the UK regarding Black Swan Lane's sponsorship of Didcot Town FC and it always makes me smile.
“I'm also an anglophile. Growing up, the music that influenced me the most came from England, in particular the Manchester scene. Probably the biggest influence came from bands like The Chameleons UK, The Smiths, Joy Division, The Beatles, The Church, Bauhaus, The Stone Roses, Lush, Kitchens of Distinction, Catherine Wheel, Moose, Cocteau Twins, The Doves, The Jam, Dead Can Dance, and Echo and The Bunnymen, and so many others.
“Without exposure to these bands and this music, Black Swan Lane would not have the sound we do today. When Steve Clare contacted me about the possibility of Black Swan Lane sponsoring Didcot Town FC, I was immediately attracted to the idea because it brings together two of my favorite things and it is great to be able to sponsor a football club in England where the game started.
“We are genuinely appreciative of the support and outreach Steve has done to make this happen. He also created banners for Black Swan Lane on the Didcot Town FC Website that help promote the band and our new release Staring Down the Path of Sound. The banners will lead you directly to our website where you may purchase the new release, as well as our previous releases.
“After our US tour this winter, we would love to tour the UK soon and if we do, I’m sure we’ll be able to fit in Oxford, or maybe even Didcot Town FC, as a venue!”
It’s not the first time a rock or popular music act has got involved in football sponsorship: Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim used his local club Brighton & Hove Albion to advertise his ‘Palookaville’ album in 2004.
Similarly Wet Wet Wet famously sponsored their local club Clydebank. In non-league football, Margate were once sponsored by Bad Manners, Goldie Lookin Chain were involved with Newport County and indie-band Mega City Four supported Farnborough Town in the 1990’s.
Black Swan Lane embarks on a nationwide tour of the USA in November and their commitment to Didcot Town looks set to continue.
