The 2015 FA Cup Fans Choir have reunited at a social distance to create a nationwide call to sing the time-honoured traditional anthem 'Abide With Me' on FA Cup final day, Saturday May 23rd, at 5.30pm when the game would have kicked off.
“We’re all footy mad and missing our singing!” said Dave Gilhooley, who has compiled the video from Fans Choir members contributions from all over the country, including Hatters supporter Neil Blake.
“It’s a chance for fans all over the country to sing our footy socks off on your doorstep for the game that you love, the NHS and Keyworkers that have sacrificed so much on our behalf."
All 64 clubs in the FA Cup third round in 2014-15 were asked to put forward someone to sing as part of a BBC Songs of Praise choir at the final that year. You can read about it here.
Neil got in touch today to say: "It was a great day and I will never forget it! Since then the Choir have made a few more appearances for the BBC and other things such as Christmas lights switch-ons and about 30 of us regularly stay in touch online and meet ups for weddings and such.
"Now with the lack of football and lockdown from this awful virus, we have come together, lockdown style and made an Abide with Me video to be played at kick off time for this year’s final and try and raise money to aid the families of NHS staff who have tragically lost their lives during this pandemic.
"If you can help us in any way from then on we would be very grateful. Come on the Town! Good luck with the rest of the season."
A Just Giving page has been set up, the aim being to raise money for the NHS/Keyworkers' families decimated by losing a loved one to the dreadful C-19 disease - www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fafanschoirnhs
The video can be seen and heard at https://youtu.be/urT6Tdv12n8 and on Twitter #AbideWithMeNHS
Join the #AbideWithMeNHS singalong on FA Cup Final day, Saturday, May 23rd at 17.30!