3 Verbs to Use for the Word backers

When brought up for trial there, he astounded his backers by pleading guilty and offering to point out the spot where he had buried Karim's corpse.

But when Hefty swam, his two backers, who had challenged some other young man through a sporting paper, rowed in a boat behind him and yelled and swore directions, advice, warnings, and encouragement at him, and in their excitement drank all of the whiskey that had been intended for him.

You shall never want a backer.

3 Verbs to Use for the Word  backers