Forget You’ll Never Walk Alone and North London Forever, it’s Nottingham Forest who have one of the most underrated pre-match anthems in the Premier League. Just before kick-off in Forest home matches, the entirety of the City Ground rises to its feet and sings Mull of Kintyre.

But what is the connection between the Premier League side and the 1970s tune written by legendary music ace, Paul McCartney? After all, it’s Liverpool that comes to mind when most people think of the former Beatles frontman.

But Forest’s connection with Mull of Kintyre dates back to the club’s glory days when they were winning back-to-back European Cups under former boss Brian Clough. The song was originally released in 1977, but the Forest faithful adopted it a year later when they lifted the First Division title in 1978.

The following season, Forest won their first of two consecutive European Cups, with the tune soundtracking the club’s journey to continental success. However, as the glory days faded away at Forest, as did the song.

That was until 2008, when the track was pumped out of the PA system at the City Ground ahead of a match against Yeovil Town. Forest went on to secure promotion back to the Championship, with the anthem deemed somewhat of a good luck charm, and has been played before kick-off ever since.

Forest aren’t the only club to lay claim to Mull of Kintyre as their anthem, with Charlton Athletic fans also known to sing the song. It makes for an interesting pre-match showdown when the two come up against each other, given that both the home and away sections can be heard in full voice.

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Music icon McCartney had previously hinted he would sing the song at the City Ground if Forest were promoted back to the Premier League. Speaking on XFM at the time, he remarked: “Yeah, when’s that going to happen? Imminent? Good luck Nottingham.”

Unfortunately, for Forest fans, that didn’t happen when they earned a long-awaited return to the top flight in 2022. Guess they’ll just have to Let It Be…

Lyrics to Nottingham Forest’s version of Mull of Kintyre

City Ground

Oh mist rolling in from the Trent

My desire is always to be here

Far have I travelled and much have I seen

Goodison, Anfield are places I’ve been

Maine Road, Old Trafford still echo to the sound

Of the boys in the red from the City Ground

Oh mist rolling in from the Trent

My desire is always to be here

Passing the leather like Clougie’s great men

Please take us back to the days I knew then

Games when we sang in the Nottingham choir

When we thrashed the sheep from Derbyshire

Oh mist rolling in from the Trent

My desire is always to be here

Smiles in the sunshine, Football like champagne

Still take me back to where my memories remain

Flickering embers growing higher and higher

And a new squad of players for us to inspire

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