Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

We're not singing anymore ...

17/ 6/2005

SALFORD Reds fans have turned to opera to voice their support for the proposed new stadium, but only after kicking the club's official anthem in to touch.

After describing the song penned by Adam Thomas from Red City Developments as 'too complicated', the fans have been inspired by Italian composer Verdi for a more spontaneous offering to voice their support for the 'Ave It! campaign.

Rugby League and Opera may be polls apart but fans in the 'Shed' have shown their 'culture' by singing 'We want our stadium' to Verdi's La Donna è Mobile for a number of weeks - and in an effort to get more joining in the club played the anthem over the tannoy before the St Helens clash at the Willows on Friday, June 10.

Mr Thomas' self-penned effort Salford's Call was based on the anthem of Ireland's rugby union team 'Ireland's Call', but fans didn't take to it, preferring the Italian tune previously adopted by West Ham football fans to honour hero Paulo Di Canio.

As Ian Peacock from the Forever Reds supporters group said: "Adam's song was too wordy and complicated to become a hit on the terraces and fans, especially those in the Shed end, don't need to be told what to sing. 'We want our stadium' is a more spontaneous effort and started being sung at the London game in May and has increased in popularity since then.

"It works well because it's simple and catchy. The tune is popular among sports fans - I remember it being adopted by West Ham for Paulo Di Canio a number of years back. Chelsea fans have also started to sing it for Jose Mourinho.

"It's simple and to the point and unlike supporters of Wigan and Bradford, we at Salford are capable of coming up with our own songs."

Adam Thomas took the revelation he's no Burt Bacharach in good heart. He said: "They've put me in my place and made me realise song writing is not going to be my career.

"The fans version is far more personal and says it all and is straight to the point. It's from the terraces so is more authentic and a lot clearer - I think it's great and it really works when you hear it at a game.

"It makes me very proud to see the fans are now backing the campaign, because there were a few sceptics to begin with.

"But this song just shows the support for the new stadium and how the fans too are looking to the future of this club."

Published 16 June 2005