'A rare and exciting union': West Midlands football club announces 'pioneering partnership' with Black Country Living Museum
A proud community football club is set to honour its roots through a unique sponsorship agreement with the Black Country Living Museum.
Wednesfield FC currently compete in the Midland Football League Division One - the tenth tier of English football - and boast a strong grassroots tradition, fielding teams from under eights all the way through to adult level.
The new partnership has been made possible by former Wednesfield player and current Black Country Living Museum trustee Jonathan Badyal, who played for the club between the ages of eight and 16.
In what the club describe as 'a remarkable gesture,' Badyal has chosen to sponsor the club's kit for the 2025/26 season and gift it to the Black Country Living Museum, whose logo will now appear on the front of the first team's shirts.
"Wednesfield FC and the Black Country Living Museum were two of the most important institutions to me growing up, just as they are today," he said. "I have long felt there is huge untapped potential when it comes to collaborations between sporting and cultural organisations, and I’m confident that this partnership will lead to meaningful and lasting impact in our area. They are true cornerstones of our community."
A statement from the Black Country Living Museum reads: "This collaboration marks a rare and exciting union between grassroots football and a major cultural institution.
"It reflects a shared pride in the Black Country’s identity and opens the door to innovative forms of community engagement. The initiative may even prompt new research into football’s role in local working-class heritage — a topic close to the hearts of both organisations.
"This announcement comes as BCLM continues to expand its work with sporting institutions across the region. Earlier this year, West Bromwich Albion joined as a Business Partner, with Worcestershire County Cricket Club following suit this month.
"The Museum also recently served as a striking backdrop for the video tribute to Wolves legend Steve Bull’s 60th birthday, featuring none other than Robert Plant.
"Both Wednesfield FC and BCLM hope this pioneering partnership will become a model for how sport and culture can join forces to inspire, celebrate, and serve local communities."
About the Black Country Living Museum
The Black Country Living Museum is a registered educational charity and an independent, not-for profit organisation that has welcomed over 11 million visitors since opening.
Each of the 80 buildings across its 31 acres has either been translocated or faithfully recreated on site – from two working pubs to an underground mine, and from a school to a Methodist chapel.
A major expansion came in 2010, when the museum opened its 1930s street, before following suit with a 1940s to 1960s town.
The museum now employs over 200 contracted members of staff who are supported by a dedicated team of volunteers.
