With the summer months putting domestic football on hold, fans are often left with little to anticipate. However, Preston North End has sparked excitement by announcing a new front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2025-26 season: SpudBros, a viral potato-selling duo founded by brothers Jacob and Harley Nelson. Known for their innovative approach to selling the lunchtime staple from an old tram in Preston city centre, SpudBros has amassed an impressive 4.2 million followers on TikTok.

Harley Nelson expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "What more can I say? This is a dream come true. We're here to help PNE make history. Let's take it to the top this season and show the world what Preston's all about." Jacob Nelson added, "We're honoured to be part of the legacy of the club. From running around the pitch as mascots to seeing our brand on the front of Preston North End's shirt - it's beyond special. We're proud Prestonians and will always give back and support the city that made us."

Preston North End, who narrowly avoided relegation by finishing 20th in the Championship last season, is set to benefit from this unique partnership. SpudBros joins a list of unconventional sponsors in football history, such as Hull's iconic 2015-16 kit featuring North Yorkshire theme park Flamingo Land, and Scottish band Wet Wet Wet sponsoring Clydebank in the 1990s.

In recent years, Ipswich Town has been sponsored by Ed Sheeran, a minority owner of the club, while West Brom had 'No Smoking' displayed on their shirts in the mid-1980s. Internationally, Barcelona partnered with the Rolling Stones for the El Clasico in 2023, and Atletico Madrid featured 16 different movie sponsors from Columbia Pictures in the 2003-04 season.

This collaboration between SpudBros and Preston North End highlights the evolving nature of football sponsorships, where local businesses and viral sensations can make a significant impact on the sport.