April 2010
A CITY pub landlord has recorded a song that he hopes will become the England team’s unofficialWorld Cup anthem.
Craig Sharp-Weir, of the Bell Inn, also hopes to raise thousands for the Help For Heroes charity.
“I find it a bit weird that there won’t be an official single for the England World Cup campaign,” said Craig, who plays bass with the band G.O.T.R. on the single.
“I’m an old punk at heart, so I thought it would be a good idea to do a version of Tenpole Tudor’s Swords Of A Thousand Men but with a twist.”
Craig renamed the song Beating The Best (With 3 Lions On Their Chests).
“I went to see The Specials at Rock City last year with a friend of mine and he said what a great anthem it would be for the World Cup. It went from there really.”
He added: “The lyrics are very similar but it plays on the idea of the football team being knights or crusaders going in to battle.
“And because of the medieval slant we hope it will appeal to fans of the new Robin Hood film.”
Swords Of a Thousand Men was a UK Top 10 hit in 1981. Craig said the band’s singer, EddieTenpole, gave his approval.
“I had an e-mail from him saying it was absolutely fine and that he loved our version of the song.”
The single is currently being sold through the pub but there are plans for it to be sold in all Greene King pubs.
“It will be a Greene King World Cup anthem,” he said.
He’s also working on making the single available to download via iTunes.
“All the profits will go to Help For Heroes. The Lord Mayor has given us her backing as well as that is her chosen charity.”
Fumane Thacker, of Help For Heroes, said: “We are very grateful for the generosity that people like Craig and the public have shown towards the cause. We hope the fund-raising is a great success.”
Said Craig: “I’m looking at a launch party and possible gig at the Bell Inn on St George’s Day.”
G.O.T.R. have supported the likes of The Buzzcocks, The Members and Stiff Little Fingers on tour.
“It’s my son’s band, really,” laughs Craig. “I’ve just been helping them out since their bass player left. It’s been like reliving my youth.”
He added: “There hasn’t been a really good England song since Three Lions, by Frank Skinner and David Baddiel. Last year’s by Embrace was terrible.
“How successful this song will be we’ll have to see but at least we’ll raise some money for Help For Heroes.”
Hear the song on the Jukebox at www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/
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