Readers Debate Best Football Songs, Suggest Classics and Hidden Gems
Readers Debate Best Football Songs, Suggest Classics and Gems

Readers have been reflecting on the greatest songs about football and making their own suggestions in response to a recent Guardian list.

Omissions Noted

A surprising omission from the Guardian's list of best songs about football (Ranked, 4 June) was the Manchester United Calypso, recorded by the Trinidadian actor and musician Edric Connor in 1957. A tribute to the Busby Babes, it is still sung to this day by United fans at many matches, both home and away.

Also, while lacking the catchy vibe of the United Calypso, another song surely worthy of inclusion was All I Want for Christmas is a Dukla Prague Away Kit by Half Man Half Biscuit. A song from their 1985 chart-topping album Back in the DHSS, it celebrates the dubious pleasures of getting unfairly beaten by a neighbouring kid at Subbuteo table football (his game, his rules).

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Scottish Football Anthem

Richard Gosnell (Letters, 15 June) had no need to worry that the Fitba' Crazy song on Scottish football has been forgotten. Georgia Mann on the Essential Classics show on BBC Radio 3 played it to mark the World Cup finals – possibly to the consternation of the channel's more traditional listeners.

Many thanks to Richard Gosnell for providing an earworm in the form of Fitba' Crazy. In the spirit of reciprocity, may I offer Lily the Pink.

Historical Perspective

No debate about football songs is reputable without the inclusion of the History of Football by Hamish Imlach, which explains the origins of our venerable sport.

Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.

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