What Do The Arctic Monkeys and Steve Bracknell Have In Common?

Who Would've Known?

If you haven't been living under a rock for the majority of your life, then you might know the Arctic Monkeys - one of the biggest bands currently around.

If they aren't making music and selling out concerts, then they might be making an album cover without realising who was actually on it.

Back in 2006, Arctic Monkeys released their first album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, which kick-started their musical success.

But did you know a certain Steve Bracknell was the face of the album with a full head of hair.

It shocked us too.

I still get over the fact that the person on the front of the Arctic Monkeys first album from 20 years ago is Royak Oak Fc assistant manager Steve Bracknall 🤔 pic.twitter.com/vMSjOQNrv8

— Adam Airey (@ItsMeIsntIt) February 13, 2026

Who Is Steve Bracknell?

We'll let you off this time if you don't know Steve Bracknell as he is less of a household name, but he is a brilliant character to watch.

His real name is Chris McCLure however, his stage name is what people know him as through his social media presence.

He has accumulated around 700k followers on both his Instagram and TikTok accounts through his funny skits impersonating an assistant manager at Sunday League side, Royal Oak FC

There is a reason he has gained such a huge following, as his content is full of humour and somewhat addicting.

Seeing a pretend assistant manager wearing jeans and screaming at a left back who isn't really there is comedy gold.

He even has his own podcast with the BBC called, The Game's Gone which is also worth a listen as he delves deep into the modern game and how it has changed.

What I will share, is most important team talk of my 25 year history in Sunday league. Quarter final.

Steve. pic.twitter.com/6tqNmFBCBX

— Steve Bracknall (@SteveBracknall) January 29, 2023

Before The Bracknell Name

His story becomes that much more interesting after finding out that he is on the album cover of such a huge band at the time.

The story of how the photo came about is even better.

Bracknell at the time was in his youth and a student at Manchester Metropolitan University.

During his time at the university, he became friends with Arctic Monkey's bassist, Andy Nicholson who decided Bracknell was a perfect fit for their first album cover photo.

However, before the photoshoot took place, Bracknell went on a night out and was even sick - whether it was through nerves or too much alcohol is yet to be heard.

It does seem fairly obvious in the picture as Bracknell looks visibly drunk which was the assignment set up for him before the photoshoot.

Unfortunately for Bracknell, he received no royalties from the album cover as he has said previously, he "wished he had asked for 10p for every album sale" though he still made some money and even a few modelling gigs.

It has many in a state of disbelief that the humorous character of Bracknell shown all over social media is actually the cover of an iconic band's first-ever album.

Bracknell has always been a performer, and he is very good at it.