This week, it was reported that well-known members of both Irish mega-boybands, Boyzone and Westlife, were looking to invest in a non-league Lancashire club, Chorley FC.
Chorley, who play their league football in the Vanarama National League (England's fifth tier), claimed on their website that the "collaboration with Boyzone was part of ongoing discussions that could potentially see them becoming the face of the football club."
The Irish group was created in 1993 and had six No. 1 singles in the UK. According to Spotify, the now-disbanded group remains popular, accruing 2.1 million monthly listeners.
Chorley has confirmed Boyzone singers Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy, and Westlife’s Brian McFadden will attend their upcoming home game against Solihull Moors in the FA Trophy on Saturday.
"We have just confirmed that the world-renowned Boyzone will be joining us for our upcoming home game against Solihull Moors in the Isuzu FA Trophy this weekend," they said this week
The non-league club has been in a precarious financial situation for a number of years now. Relegation due to COVID and the embezzlement scandal that saw money stolen worth up to £70,000, new ownership, and the like have left the club on the brink of extinction.
It was also reported by the Telegraph that the club has been hit by a winding-up petition by HM Revenue and Customs and that liquidation could come the way of the National League North side if they don't sort themselves out.
The club will now hope Boyzone and Westlife's potential investment can breathe new life into the club and town and that it can be done quickly because of their past money issues.
We’re absolutely thrilled to share the truly exciting news that world renowned, Boyzone, will be in attendance for our game against @SolihullMoors this Saturday!
This collaboration with Boyzone is part of ongoing discussions that could see them become the face of Chorley FC 👀— Chorley FC (@chorleyfc) February 7, 2024
"This collaboration with Boyzone is part of ongoing discussions that could potentially see them becoming the face of the football club," Chorley’s chief operating officer, Tom Clarke, added on the club's website.
"This is a game-changer that has the potential to bring our town into the limelight like never before, generating a buzz and publicity that will shine a bright light on Chorley and the local area.
"We are bursting with excitement and gratitude for this incredible opportunity. Boyzone's presence at the game will undoubtedly create an electric atmosphere filled with music, joy, a shared love for football, and a close-knit family community."
The potential investment by a boyband into a non-league team isn't an isolated incident. Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney famously invested in Wrexham in 2021, helping the Welsh club to promotion back to the Football League. Ex-Take That star Robbie Williams was also unveiled as the president of boyhood idols Port Vale.
Clarke also pointed out that Chorley's decision mirrored the successful investment strategies seen by figures like Hollywood star Reynolds and McElhenney at Wrexham FC.
Their promotion journey was documented in the acclaimed fly-on-the-wall documentary, "Welcome to Wrexham." Clarke admitted he was open to the idea of Chorley's version of the fly-on-the-wall series.
“Naturally, that comes with growing pains. Naturally, that comes with challenges that we’ll have to overcome along the way. I fully recognise that," Clarke said.
“It’s not a ‘Click a button and turn into Wrexham’ or anything else like it overnight. We’re not Wrexham. We’re Chorley. We’re proud about that. Chorley’s a very affluent town.
“It’s really quite an exciting place to build something that hopefully sits at the heart of that town.”
