From its Liverpool city region base brand marketing specialist Wild Thang is producing a range of World Cup-themed merchandise – including stress balls for anxious England fans. Tony McDonough reports

Merseyside brand marketing specialist Wild Thang is launching a range of merchandise to coincide with the start of the FIFA World Cup.

From its factory close to Liverpool waterfront, Wild Thang is offering everything from World Cup-themed plastic cups to barbecue aprons, water bottles, phone charging cables, key rings, beanie hats and sweatshirts.

And to save the fingernails of anxious England fans, the range also includes stress balls for those inevitable moments of high drama.

Wild Thang operates from a 20,000 sq ft headquarters in Bootle. It oversaw a £2m-plus upgrade of the premises during the pandemic. It saw demand fall during COVID-19 but has since come roaring back.

Founder and managing director Andrew Dwerryhouse told LBN had grown headcount by 25% to 46 over the past year. This year he expects the business to grow by up to 25% and wants to create more jobs.

Wild Thang manufactures and supplies a full range of branded marketing materials. Its blue-chip clients include Vimto, SkyBet, McDonald’s, Princes Foods, LJMU and Paddy Power. It also does work for a number of Premier League clubs including Liverpool and Everton.

This year the World Cup is, unusually, being staged in the middle of winter. This is because the host country is Qatar where summertime temperatures would be too high to play football in.

Domestic football leagues, including the English Premier League, will be suspended for the duration of the tournament. Qatar and Ecuador will contest the first game on November 20 with England kicking off against Iran on November 21. They will face the USA on November 25 and Wales on November 29.

England lost on penalties to Italy in the final of the European Championships in 2021. But earlier this year England’s ‘Lionesses” triumphed in the Women’s European Championship this summer. It is hoped this will inspire the men to match their achievement in Qatar.

Andrew Dwerryhouse said: “Whether you are heading to Qatar, having a party or getting your office in the World Cup mood, we have a huge range of top-quality promotional products.

READ MORE: Wild Thang seeks new space for expansion

“We hope every likes our tongue-in-cheek branded barbecue apron… well you can still have a winter barbecue wearing your wooly hat and sweatshirt.

“With the World Cup comes happiness, delight and pure bliss but it also brings nervousness, anxiety and stress. Whether it’s just before a big game or your country is lining up for penalties, make sure to have your Football Stress Ball on hand.”