Why Soccer Aid Co-Founder Jonathan Wilkes Stopped Playing for UNICEF and His Close Friendship with Robbie Williams

Jonathan Wilkes, the rarely seen co-founder of Soccer Aid, is featured in ITV1’s new documentary More Than Just a Game, which marks the charity football event’s 20th anniversary. The film looks back at two decades of Soccer Aid for UNICEF, highlighting major moments from the fundraiser’s history and featuring contributions from well-known figures including Olivia Colman, Robbie Williams, Ant and Dec, Jill Scott, Sir Mo Farah, Tom Hiddleston, Big Zuu and Vicky McClure.

Wilkes and Robbie Williams created Soccer Aid in 2006 after an idea they discussed by a swimming pool in Los Angeles. What they believed would be a one-off event became a long-running annual fundraiser supporting UNICEF, the global children’s charity that provides humanitarian and development aid to children around the world.

Best known to many as a television presenter, including his work on Stars In Their Eyes, Wilkes has a background in professional football. He joined Port Vale FC as a child and later played for Everton as a teenager before deciding not to pursue a full-time playing career. He eventually moved into presenting, acting and singing, and achieved chart success with his single Just Another Day.

Wilkes and Williams have shared a close friendship since childhood in Stoke-on-Trent, where their families were also close. Wilkes has previously said that even if he and Williams do not speak for months, they can immediately fall back into their old routine. He has described Williams as his best friend and said their mothers were also close while they grew up together taking part in amateur dramatics.

Their friendship continued when both moved to London. Wilkes recalled being invited to stay with Williams in his mansion after accepting a presenting job in the capital. That move helped launch Wilkes’s television career and also led to important personal milestones, including meeting his wife, Nikki, at the BBC. The pair married in Los Angeles in 2004 and have two sons, Mickey and Ralph.

Wilkes also became a familiar face in Soccer Aid itself, representing England in six matches. His last appearance came in 2017, when a recurring hamstring injury ended his playing role. Although he no longer takes part on the pitch, he remains closely involved with Soccer Aid and continues to help promote the event and its charitable mission.

The documentary positions Wilkes as a key figure behind one of the UK’s most successful charity sporting events, showing how a casual idea between lifelong friends grew into a major annual fundraiser that has raised money for children in need worldwide.