A popular up-and-coming local band have hit the back of the net with a new song dedicated to South Shields FC.
Indie rockers Big Romance, who recently drew a line under their old identity and began a new chapter with an even more lively and anthemic sound after previously being known as Deep.Sleep, have written a track which will now be adopted as the club’s walk-out tune at games at 1st Cloud Arena.
Lead singer and guitarist Daniel Frend and his fellow band members Alex Greenup and Louis Hellier were tasked with penning a song which could become synonymous with the club, and it is now almost ready for release.
This Feeling was inspired by Daniel Frend’s father John, who is a season ticket holder at SSFC and has a huge love of all things South Shields.
You will be able to hear the track immediately before Saturday’s league season opener against Stalybridge Celtic at 1st Cloud Arena, tickets for which are available by clicking here. You can also follow the band and pre-save the song by clicking here.
Daniel said: “It was a huge honour to be asked to create a song for the club, and also quite a responsibility for us as a band.
“It’s something we relished and the process of creating this track was hugely enjoyable.
“My dad is the inspiration behind it, with references in the song to South Shields and the River Tyne, both of which he loves.
“He is a massive fan of the club and grew up in Shields and I wanted to give something back to him, as well as of course the club. He is the person behind my love of music and South Shields.
“The last few weeks have been very exciting as we’ve been preparing to release the song. It has been the worst kept secret among our friends and family so it’s very cathartic to finally be able to shout about it properly, and now we can’t wait for the fans to hear it and to get to know the words.
“When that happens, it’s going to be an emotional day for us and I’m sure there will be tears.”
The lyrics pay homage to the club and town, with lines such as ‘my father’s home is where my heart is’ and ‘I wanna marry you my Mariner, you’re the only one who knows’.
The release of the new song comes as the band gears up for a promising career, with further releases planned and ready to hit streaming platforms this year and into next.
One of the most exciting groups to emerge in the North East over recent years, Big Romance have gigged around the UK and abroad, and performed at festivals including Kendal Calling, Tramlines and Hit The North under their previous guise.
Their music has been played regularly at South Shields home games since February, with PA announcer Geoff Main having used the opportunity to spotlight local bands before matches.
Having worked tirelessly on This Feeling, Big Romance are now preparing to release it as a single shortly before the Mariners’ first home league game of the season, against Stalybridge Celtic on August 13.
The track has been produced by Andi Anderson of Push Pull Productions and engineered by Pete Maher, who works with some of the world’s leading artists, producers and labels, including U2, Katy Perry, the Gallagher brothers and Lana Del Rey.
This Feeling will become Shields’ new walk-out tune, replacing AC/DC’s Thunderstruck, which has been the final song played before the players emerge onto the pitch since the 2018-19 season.
Geoff Main and Stu Rounthwaite, both key members of fan group All Things Mariners, came up with the idea of asking a band to create a unique song for the club, and This Feeling is the result.
The recording costs have been covered by SSFC chairman Geoff Thompson and we greatly look forward to playing the song very soon at 1st Cloud Arena.
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