This year the destination of the F.A Cup will be decided by YOU.

We’ll be taking a poll and you will chose who takes the crown. Who’ll raise the first F.A Cup singoff trophy.
(Don’t actually have a trophy to give out at the moment, we’ll use this teacup for now)

I’ve previously wrote about both teams and the most famous song associated with them. But judging by the number of visits from people looking for information about one of them this will be a whitewash, but I implore you please try to have some impartiality today and select the winner on the music alone.

Blue Moon

This very old song as played at the City of Manchester stadium all the time, which really doesn’t have an origin of how or where it began. I think it was a corporate decision or something. If there are any Citeh fans out there who do know the real reason, post a comment.

The previous mention about the song on F&M was a couple of years back when Ricky Hatton, one of Man City’s most famous fans, was preparing to fight Manny Pacquiao. In the post Blue Hatton I collected over 35 versions of that song. Today I will randomly choose 4four of them for the contest.

Delilah

As sung by the fans of Stoke City & the most visited post on F&M with people coming to find out: Why Delilah ?
With perfect timing… Graham Forster also visited that post and took the time to email me with an answer:

“Hello,

Stoke city supporters sing Delilah:

Many years ago, the fans were singing songs in a pub after a match. There were complaints about the rude language in some of the songs and the police asked them to sing songs without swear words in. On the juke box at the time was…Delilah! The supporters sang the song and adopted it as their anthem. A legend was born…

Hope that answers the question.”

Looking at the other comments there is another one who agrees with you there Graham, there’s also a couple who also put in a mention about a policeman.

But anyway that’s not why we are here… we are here today for the singing compo between Blue Moon and this song, of which I’ve found four very different cover versions…

So then… take the poll… and remember it’s which is the better set of songs, not team:

I know I shouldn’t make those sort of predictions because they tend to blow up in your face, but that sort of thing happens to me anyway. Why fight it.

So as mentioned this coming Sunday it is Tottenham Hotspur (currently 4th in the old 1st Division) who will be hosting Charlton Athletic (currently 5th in the old Division Three) in the FA Cup Third Round Proper.

Charlton have been preparing for this game by… sacking their manager Phil Parkinson.

Well he did get them into the 3rd round of the FA Cup and into the playoff places, what else should he expect ?

OK I admit that Charlton haven’t won a match since the last FA Cup round, and have draw quite a few others, but this is was all in the Chrimbo congestion period. Shouldn’t he have been given more of a chance ?

Well no you see it doesn’t matter about all that anyway. Didn’t matter what the situation was whether they were league league leaders or mid table obscures. Parkinson’s number was going to be up anyway. Why ? Because the club has been taken over by new owners and as we’ve seen at Blackburn – prepare yourselves for a wild ride lads !

After their pounding at the hands of Spurs (I know, I know) they will “concentrate on the league”… as if there’s anything else left for them… and achieve their aim of promotion.

So whilst we watch this phoenix emerge from/get shot down in flames [outcome TBA], we’ll serenade them with the music that plays them on:

The song heard as they run out for the home games is a very familiar traditional tune: When The Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along. Which was made famous by Al Jolson, but the version played at The Valley is one by the band leader Billy Cotton.
The Billy Cotton Show Band had a programme on the BBC which ran from 1949 to 1968. Billy opened each show with a very famous shout:

[See post to listen to audio]
Audio - Billy Cotton - "WAKEY WAKEY !"

His orchestra’s style of music was performing popular songs of the day, with a touch of comedy. They played tunes with such titles as “I’ve Gone And Lost my Little Yo Yo” , “Forty Fahsend Fevvers On A Frush “, and “I Took My Harp To A Party”.

[See post to listen to audio] » Billy Cotton Band – Red Red Robin

Extra Time:

A bonus Charlton song for you, from a couple of well known singer/songwriters who I didn’t know were supporters.
They released this one under their band name, but it was essentially just Difford and Tilbrook:

[See post to listen to audio] » Squeeze – Down In The Valley

- I’m launching an appeal here: If anybody has that single in their possession please get in touch. The world needs to hear the Jug Band remix.

And so as expected…

Very nearly wasn’t thanks to the post, the crossbar and of course… the pitch.

Which the commentator and pundit didn’t make all that many references to actually.

I think because it was a given.

Plus there were a few golden chances spurned: An open goal. Two penalties: Saved and scuffed.

But this final will not go down in history as an err… historic…one…

What will be remembered though is that Chelsea did a League/Cup double and to commemorate a track from the fine gentleman above, plus a couple of others thown in.

First though a quick bio:

Laurel Aitken waa born in Cuba of mixed Cuban and Jamaican descent, his family settled in Jamaica in 1938. After an early career working for the Jamaican Tourist Board singing mento songs for visitors arriving at Kingston Harbour, he became a popular nightclub entertainer…

… Aitken moved to Brixton, London in 1960 and recorded for the Blue Beat label, releasing fifteen singles before returning to Jamaica in 1963. He recorded for Duke Reid, with backing from The Skatalites before returning to the UK. He recorded hits such as “Fire in Mi Wire” and “Landlord and Tenants”, which led to a wider recognition outside of Jamaica and the UK. This cemented his position as one of ska’s leading artists and earned him the nicknames The Godfather of Ska.

…Aitken settled in Leicester with his wife in 1971. His output slowed in the 1970s, but in 1980, with ska enjoying a resurgence in the wake of the 2 Tone movement, Aitken had his first success in the UK Singles Chart with “Rudi Got Married”.

…In later years he performed occasional concerts almost until his death from a heart attack in 2005. After a long campaign, a blue plaque in his honour was put up at his Leicester home.

[See post to listen to audio] » Laurel Aitken & The Shed Enders – Zigger Zagger

Extra Time:

The theme ? Ska

I love this music and when I posted an England/World Cup song by The Skatoons the other day, I started to look for more footie & ska music connections. Then with some perfect timing… I received an email about another England/WC/Ska song, which I’ll be posting in a few days.

Let’s get started with…

It is common knowledge that there’s a couple of ska tunes associated with Chelsea. I’ll be featuring one of those below.

What is probably lesser known…

- That there was a ska tune done in relation to Pompey which after you hear it you’ll wish that you didn’t, but as is with the tradition here I must report what I find. Even if it causes some pain.

As you will discover, everything about this is wrong. The naming of the band, the fact that it’s a re-worded version of ska tune more associated with another team (which I’ll expand on below) or especially with the subject(s) of the song.

What was the act called ?   Krap Not ‘Arf.

What’s wrong (apart from it being a crap name) with that then ?   They named themselves after Pompey’s home ground – but they put it backward AND missed out a letter.

What was the tune they covered ?   Tom Hark.

What was the re-worded version about ?   Their previous manager, plus his assistant at the time and their promotion from the Football League First Division to the Premier League in the 2002/03 season.

[See post to listen to audio] » Krap Not ‘Arf – ‘Arry and Jim

I’ll post the original below, but first…

I’m not going to get into which team can claim original ownership of this tune now, I’ll look into that at a later date. Let’s just say for the moment that Chelsea are one of the clubs that are associated with the follow ska tune:

[See post to listen to audio] » Billy Bluebeat – The Liquidator

The Originals…

As mentioned above with the Pompey song they did a cover of Tom Hark, which was not originally done by The Piranhas, but theirs is in fact a cover of a 1950′s tune. I’m posting the Piranhas version here and Any Major Dude With Half A Heart will explain where this one first started.

- The footie team that is actually associated with this song is Brighton & Hove Albion and one of these days I will finally get around to telling their story. But for now:

…and the original version (unless Any Major Dude… knows any different) of The Liquidator:

After the final has played I’ll post some more ska music for the winners.
Obviously I’m hoping expecting that it will be … because I’ve got bugger all for … .

If you like this then you’ll enjoy…

- Marco On The Bass: A musical life dedicated to a love of 2tone, ska, reggae, soul and rock steady.

A recommended purchase…

- The Trojan Ska Box Set
[Amazon UK link]
[Amazon USA link]

I’ve got nothing at all to say about Chelski. Nothing. I’ve said in the other post that I really don’t think, unless their back four go to sleep, Aston Villa will exact any revenge for their 7-1 drubbing inflicted upon them by the Blues the other week.

The Stamford Bridge lot are on form and even with the distraction of the Chase For The Title™ this is only one match before the run in gets really interesting.

To abitofmusicthen… and a couple from a couple of Chelsea legends (if you are reading this in London then it’s pronounced ‘leg – ends’). The first track, with an introduction from his colleguage Alan Hudson, is a cover version of a popular song at the time.

[See post to listen to audio] » Peter Osgood – Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep [See post to listen to audio] » Ron Harris w/players & fans – Chel-Sea of Blue

I’ve already got some songs lined for the team who I think will win the cup, so they’d better…

You know that despite themselves, Spurs have done pretty well this season.
My evidence of this ? Well I’m glad you asked…

Despite the comedy stylings of Heurelho Gomes (who Redknapp doesn’t like) and despite Ledley King only able to play when the wind is blowing from the southeast at 2 knots. Even with Robbie Keane (who ‘urry up doesn’t like) being shipped off to the wilds of Scotia land, plus because of injuries it forced Jamie’s pappy to play Roman Pavlyuchenko, even though… you get the drift.

The players always know where they stand with old ‘arry. He’s not afraid to slate a player in public.
He will threaten to sell them or farm them off on loan but then do neither and then play them later on when injuries hit the players that he does like. But even then… Crouchy as we’ve seen for England, but at Tottenham he starts on the bench.

But despite all of this… They are currently 5th in the table, they got to the Mickey Mouse League Cup Final and I fully expect them to be in the FA Cup Final.

So then what music will I post in relation to Tottenham Hotspur ? What choices do I have ?

Well you know that when you think of Spurs and music it’s either Chas n’ Dave or: Chris and Glenn.
- or the God botherer with some solo efforts, which I’ve previously noted & will never speak of again.

But there are other Spurs tunes out there and for today’s output I’ve gone back in time to before Hodges met Peacock, back to 1971 when the team sang of their joy of err… being Tottenham.
[In '71 they won the League Cup, followed by the inaugural UEFA Cup competition (whatever happened to that) in which they met and beat Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Final.]

[See post to listen to audio] » 71/72 Spurs Squad – Hot Spurs Boogie [See post to listen to audio] » The 1971/72 Tottenham Squad – Spurs !

A couple of weeks ago they bent over and asked; “Please sir may I have one more…?”

And this coming Saturday they will be at Wembley to face Chelsea once again, but this time obviously it will not be the same scoreline.

At least that’s what the Villa fans are hoping…

But no. Lightning cannot strike twice like this, there’s not going to be another rout. It is possible for the Villa to take it, I mean when they met last October in the league it was a 2-1 home win.

My reckoning though is that they will come away disappointed. I’m hoping for a close game (so are ITV1 !) and maybe even some extra time with the Villa going down to some cruel luck right at the last.

But please don’t take my word for it, my predictions are about as accurate as Mystic Meg’s.

That’s enough filler, now for the music.

I did find this ebay auction, but apart from that I don’t have any info on today’s Aston Villa singing supporter. These songs were recorded in 1979 – when both Andy Gray and Brian Little were still running around in shorts. They are both mentioned in the first track which is helpful to anyone who has trouble spelling the name of the club.

[See post to listen to audio] » Dave Ismay & the Holte End – A.S.T.O.N. V.I.L.L.A [See post to listen to audio] » Dave Ismay & the Holte End – We’re The Holte End

As to why Dave Ismay decided to sing about them (when there was (in ’79) nothing much to sing about) is a bit of a mystery. If there are any Aston Villa supporters out there who could expand, thanks.

Starting us off is a send off for an FA Cup winner only two seasons ago…

But now have fallen upon… well I don’t need to expand on that, everyone knows of their current plight.
Which some have pointed fingers and accused a certain ex-manager of being a party to – and just to add an extra ingredient into this mix he will be leading the team who will be facing them this Sunday.

And what a boat race:

The two teams met only a couple of weeks ago with the result being pretty much a foregone. Which is what I think will happen again this coming Sunday so that’s why I’m starting with them.

Today’s featured artist is a local comedian and singer Shep Woolley, who is a die hard Pompey fan.

» Shep Woolley – Portsmouth ‘Til I Die » Shep Woolley/Fratton Fred’s Frogmore Five – Pompey Rock

Bon Voyage Pompey, thanks for playing.

This is the other post looking at two teams with two common denominators:
1) They are in a financial crisis and 2) but they are still in the FA Cup.

The club featured yesterday are close to being wound up in court. Late Update: Notts County have a new owner. Yet another false dawn ? We’ll see.

Sadly for this next lot though things are far worse because they went into administration a few weeks back and (at the time or writing) there’s nothing on the horizon in regards to a rescue.

The club administrators went as far as banging an advert in the FT, but still didn’t get a sniff.
I think they went with the wrong publication – this would have worked better.

This isn’t the first time Crystal Palace have been in admin. It happened previously in the year 2000 and the Singapore financier Jerry Lim bought the club when it was only hours from extinction. He then immediately sold it to the frustrated football-turned-millionaire businessman Simon Jordan, who is another one of those outspoken/colourful chairmen.

- For a full blow by blow history of Jordan’s time at the club start reading from here.

Like the other day I’m concentrating on their better times when Palace were in the (old) First Division and through to an FA Cup Final.

The year was 1990 and… “Nineteen Ninety…time for the Guru…”   (stop that)… and Crystal Palace in order to appear in that years final had to get past Liverpool in the Semis first. The same Liverpool team who had put 9 past them only seven months earlier. The match was an epic encounter which went to extra time and eventually it was Alan Pardew who put them into the final.

Their eventual cup final opponents also had a high scoring end-to-end encounter in their Semi against Joe Royle’s Division Two side Oldham Athletic. Like the Palace/Liverpool encounter it was three-all going into extra time. But nobody could find a winner and it went to a replay and again another half an hour was needed after the 90 until Mark Robins in the 114th minute finally settled it.

On to the 12th May 1990 and once again it was the number 3 involved, as well as yes… extra time.
Repetition was the key for this year because it wasn’t decided that day and unlike now back then it wasn’t decided on pens, but another replay five days later still at Wembley.

Unlike the previous matches this replay was a tight low scoring one and in the 59th minute it was Lee Martin who scored the only goal to give Alex Ferguson his first major trophy.

As we now know 1990 was a football and musical year, with New Order recruiting John Barnes for the England/World Cup song and for the FA Cup Final both teams released a single. Man Utd went with err… a Scotsman and some bagpipes… but (thankfully for us) Crystal Palace decided to do it themselves:

» Crystal Palace 1990 FA Cup Squad – Glad All Over - plus the (scratchy) B Side - » Crystal Palace 1990 FA Cup Squad – Where Eagles Fly

EXTRA TIME: Ah that YouTube… what a treasure it is… I found some solid gold in the form of the Palace 1990 team appearing on the Derek Jameson show “singing” their cup final song:

Oh I haven’t mentioned who was on that team and singing above; In there you will find Nigel Martyn, Geoff Thomas and one ohmygodIcantstoptalkinglistentothesoundofmyvoice Mark “Brighty” Bright.
Now you’ll go and watch.

Extra Extra Time:
I also found this excellent and very funny video of a Top Of The Pops/Crystal Palace countdown:

And Finally… Ah I know you are going to ask, so here’s the original:

“Eagles !”

*Or still could be. They both beat higher opposition in the last round, so…

‘New owners’   ‘new investment’ and ‘big signings’ are three phrases that were repeated when talking about a few clubs in the past year or so. But for one particular team was another phrase to be added:

That shagger Sven is still hanging in there. But for how much longer ?

Their chief executive, Peter Trembling bought the club for a nominal fee after finding out that “Munto Finances” was a misnomer. They are still facing up to a second winding up order from HM Revenue and Customs (who have a number of other clubs on their list).

They are boyd by the success of beating Wigan – after a replay – in the previous round and this trip down to Fulham will take their fans minds off their troubles for now. And hey, who knows… knock them out and pull another Premier team name out of the hat to play at home… It’s not going to save them of course and it could be a last roar before the world’s oldest football league club finally dies.

I’m hoping that this doesn’t happen. They need to and probably will survive somehow. But not before another dip down the divisions again…

“But lads ! Let’s not be downhearted ! One total catastrophe like this is only the beginning…”

Like the other day when talking about The Saints I don’t want to dwell on this but to remember a better time for them when The Magpies were in the (old) Division One:

Jimmy Sirrel their legendary and longest serving manager guided a struggling basement club and in 1981 they were promoted to the highest league in the land. Nott County stayed there and held their own for another three seasons.

- To celebrate this promotion to the 1st Division Jimmy Willan wrote and produced the following song which the team ran out to for the next decade:

» Jimmy Willan & Notts County Choir – County’s The Team For Me Additional: Jimmy did another song in 2000: » Jimmy Willan – We’re The Team You Should Support