Mull of Kintyre and Nottingham Forest FC
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Way back in early 1978 two things sat atop the UK charts Wings' Mull Of Kintyre was perched at #1 in the singles chart and my beloved Nottingham Forest were leading the football (soccer) First Division. Mull of Kintyre went on to spend 9 weeks at number and Forest went on to win the League for the only time in their history. Forest fans adopted Mull of Kintyre as their unofficial anthem and sang it regularly at games (changing the lyrics to refer to their home ground rather than the Scottish peninsula). Today, Mull of Kintyre remains the biggest selling non-charity single in UK pop history but Forest have slumped to the foot of what was the Second Divison (now confusingly called the Championship. If you don't know, don't ask...). The club has no money and a poor squad that is clearly struggling, and seemingly no chance of avoiding relegation to the third tier of English football. And yet, every week without fail 20,000 people rise from their seats before the match to sing "City Ground, oh mist rolling in from the Trent. My desire is always to be here, oh City Ground." As a lifelong Forest and McCartney fan, this never fails to raise the hairs on the back of my neck. The song not only reminds us all of better days (days when our team was the envy of the world and McCartney reigned supreme over the charts) but it also brings the fans together, in unison, in harmony. A supreme act of community. I'd like to thank Paul for the comfort he brings to the most unexpected places. Also, I wonder if any other sports club's fans have adopted his songs?
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A special mention should also go to the great man who took Forest to the top of the Toppermost. Brian Clough!!!
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I wish Paul were playing halftime at the Superbowl this year, as his performing there tends to guarantee a New England Patriots win. Podgie (I'm not superstitious, it just seems history supports it!) Monkey
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PodgeTheBear:
I wish Paul were playing halftime at the Superbowl this year, as his performing there tends to guarantee a New England Patriots win. Podgie (I'm not superstitious, it just seems history supports it!) Monkey
he's done the superbowl Podgie, time to move on and play parkhead when Celtic lift the league title
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At Arsenal we still sing "We all live in a Perry Groves world" to Yellow Submarine. This has gone on since the mid 80's. Spanish club Villareal sing a chant to the same tune and their clubs nickname is actually The Yellow Submarines.
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great story.. infact as long as i can remember 'celtic' fans have always chanted quite regularly nah nah nah nahnahnahnah nahnahnahnah celtic and i think liverpool fans sang alot of beatleas songs during the 1960s.
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Macsback:
PodgeTheBear:
I wish Paul were playing halftime at the Superbowl this year, as his performing there tends to guarantee a New England Patriots win. Podgie (I'm not superstitious, it just seems history supports it!) Monkey
he's done the superbowl Podgie, time to move on and play parkhead when Celtic lift the league title
I agree with Podge - us Patriot fans here in New England would like Paul for the double reasons of...well, we like Paul and want to here him play...but also, his two SB appearances coincided with New England Patriot wins...so he's a lucky charm of sorts Besides we need another quarterback Terry Bradshaw and Paul McCartney duet...LOL
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That's right! I had forgotten about the Terry Bradshaw and Paul duet! Yes, he was there this year and not Madonna, think that is performer scheduled.
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I see West Ham beat Forest today!
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not looking good for Forest, could be dropping again, oh well, suppose Paulie can always look out the old vids
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[quote="Plastic Soul Man"]I see West Ham beat Forest today! D Looking at the highlights, I think it was the ref that beat us... Oh how we could use some of Macca's millions so that Mull Of Kintyre doesn't get sung in the third division...
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Paulie H:
Plastic Soul Man:
I see West Ham beat Forest today!
Looking at the highlights, I think it was the ref that beat us... Oh how we could use some of Macca's millions so that Mull Of Kintyre doesn't get sung in the third division...
he wouldnt have his millions for long if he got involved in a football club
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I'm a lifelong Manchester City supporter (born a blue, and never miss home matches), and the crowd used to sing "na na na na na na na, na na na na, city" to hey jude. It's made a come back this season actually - with city playing the original end half about 5 minutes before the teams come out. In December i was at a city match sunday, paul manchester gig next day on monday, Paul liverpool tuesday, city match again on wednesday! When they put hey jude on all i could think of were the gigs
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The Patriots just beat the Ravens and will be going on to the Superbowl!! Podgie (still wishing Paul was performing...sometimes it comes down to "With a Little Luck") Monkey
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Rather entertainingly, someone has brought the use of Mull of Kintyre to the attention of our beloved songsmith. He has apparently offered to play at the City Ground if Forest get promoted. Clearly, he knows there's no chance of that happening any time soon! http://www.nottinghampost.com/Nottingham-Forest-fans-hope-Sir-Paul-McCartney/story-25778221-detail/story.html