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New anthem is pitch perfect

Katie Storey
30/ 4/2008

THE Observer’s campaign backing Rochdale’s push for promotion has been given TV coverage.

The Shameless won our search to record an anthem to celebrate the club’s success this season and they blew away onlookers with their performance in front of Granada Reports and Channel M cameras.

The club shop was filled with media representatives and behind-the-scenes club management, whose expectations were heightened as they nervously awaited the band’s first chord.

But as soon as band, who are Dale supporters, launched into Time to Believe, nobody could help but smile.

Spotland’s project manager, Stuart Ashworth, said: "It gave me goosebumps!"

Catchy lyrics, electric guitar solos and heavy drums filled the room, giving Rochdale an anthem to fuel their Wembley dream as they head towards the play-offs.

Matchday announcer Dave Sweetmore said: "As far football songs go they’re not usually that good, but this song is just brilliant.

"It just so happens that it’s about football.

"It’s great that a Rochdale band have made a record to support the Dale."

Celebrity chef Andrew Nutter was also on hand to fill the band with energy between takes with his gourmet Up the Dale pies.

The award-winning chef has made the black-and-white pies to show his support for the club and is hoping that the mouth-watering creations will be dished up to hungry fans at future games.

Nutter said: "These are the pies that will take Rochdale to the next league.

"They’ll give the fans more energy so they can shout louder and will taste great with a pint of beer at half-time."

Fresh from their TV debut, The Shameless headed to Bury to record Time to Believe, which should be on sale in the coming week.

The band was up early on Sunday morning to record the song.

The anthem will be played at Rochdale’s final home match on Saturday.

Chef Andrew Nutter will also be making an appearance at the match against Shrewsbury.

He will be setting up a cooking stand in the members’ lounge and making 100 pies at the match on Saturday to raise funds for former Rochdale and Oldham player Ernie Cooksey, who was recently diagnosed with skin cancer.

The cash raised on the day will help fund treatment for Cooksey, which is currently only available in America.

Click on the video window to see the recording, and click on the audio link to hear a snippet of a finished anthem.

Related Audio Clips

• The Shameless - 'Time To Believe'