Aston Villa fans were in full voice when they helped record a new version of a terrace anthem to be played when their heroes take to the pitch.
It’s hoped The Bells Are Ringing will be the inspiration the fans and players need as the club bids to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
In the region of 300 Villans reported to the Holte Suite at Villa Park on Monday night to belt out the lyrics to the song first sung by the Villa faithful in the 1960s.
It all came about after Jonathan Fear drummed up support for the idea on the Vital Villa internet forum which he edits.
He said: “It’s something I’ve been working on for two or three years.
“I had originally hoped it would just be about getting the anthem sung on the terraces again.
“But with the team in a relegation battle it’s taken on a new role.
“It’s more important now to have a song which will spur the crowd and the players on.
“I just hope it can stir the players on to play well, win games and avoid the drop.”
The song’s title and lyrics refer to the wedding bells from nearby Aston Parish Church which could often be heard during home matches on Saturdays.
The real-life chanting, along with the church bells, will be mixed in to a prerecorded version of the track.
It will then be played before every match at Villa Park starting with the crunch clash against Newcastle this Sunday.
Former Villa player Ian Taylor was at Villa Park for the recording.
“A lot is made of the so-called 12th man,” he said.
“If this song can get the crowd behind the team and in full voice then it’s got to be a good thing for the team.They can make a difference at the end of the day.
“It would also be nice to see it put some smiles back on the fan’s faces.”
Villa fan and Birmingham historian Carl Chinn said: “This song is a gift from the older generation of fans to the younger ones.
“It’s a good, clean, family song which can be passed down to other generations.”
The lyrics
Claret and blue. Claret and blue.
The fans are singing for the claret and blue.
Claret and blue. Claret and blue.
Everybody is knowing, to the Villa they’re going.
Where the Villa are showing.
We’re the best in the land. Best in the land.
We’re congregating for the claret and blue.
Claret and blue. Claret and blue.
The fans are singing for the claret and blue.
Claret and blue. Claret and blue.
And today we’re gonna score a goal or two, or three or more
For the boys in claret and blue. Claret and blue. Claret and blue.
