New reports are suggesting that iconic football song Three Lions could be replaced as England’s anthem for the 2022 World Cup.
It’s fair to say that the song – which was released by band The Lightning Seeds in collaboration with comedians Frank Skinner and David Baddiel over 25 years ago for Euro 96, has been a staple at every major national football tournament ever since – with fans belting out the words “It’s Coming Home” at every opportunity.
But now, a new report in The Sun is claiming that the FA will look to replace the anthem for the upcoming Qatar World Cup because it risks offending other nations.
The Sun explained how all 32 nations taking part in the World Cup later this year have to nominate a song to be played in the build-up to kick-off, but while Three Lions would seem to many to be the obvious choice, bosses at the FA are said to be considering choosing an alternative song instead over fears the tune is seen as “arrogant” by other countries.
There is apparently speculation that Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline is the forerunner to replace it, after the song played a huge part in England’s run the final of Euro 2020.
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Three Lions could be replaced as England’s anthem for the 2022 World Cup / Credit: YouTube
England and Newcastle legend Paul Gascoigne told The Sun: “That song is in our DNA. It helped us in 1996 and it’ll help the boys in Qatar.
“The FA have totally lost the plot.”
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He added: “You can’t take that song off us. Sweet Caroline doesn’t come close. It would be like saying we can’t wave St George’s flags anymore.
“This woke nonsense has no place in football – it’s just a great song.”
The nature of the song and the way other countries perceive its meaning is something that critics have already discussed in previous years, and last year in particular, Three Lions co-creator David Baddiel spoke on the matter, explaining: “I think it’s the notion – misinterpreted by many people – that football’s coming home means that England owns football and we are the homeland of football.
“Which historically is the case. We were the first one to ratify the rules of the game. But somehow that’s offensive to other FAs.”
An alternative song could be chosen over fears it’s seen as “arrogant” by other countries / Credit: YouTube
Outspoken TalkTV presenter Piers Morgan has also had his say on the matter, calling the proposal to remove Three Lions a “ridiculous idea”, and adding: “This is a ridiculous idea. The song is all about wallowing in 30 years of hurt and pain at not winning anything, how can anyone say it is arrogant.
“We should absolutely stick with Three Lions.”
England’s official song choice is expected to be announced after the summer.
Home Bargains has announced a special two-day closure of all UK stores
Emily Sergeant
Home Bargains has, once again, announced it’ll be closing all its UK stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year.
And it’s to make sure staff get a ‘well deserved break’.
After what has been yet another busy year for the retail industry, many workers have been left feeling like they could do with a little extra time off, which is why Home Bargains is following on with what has become a now-annual tradition by shutting up shop on two bank holidays.
All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Years Day.
Announcing the move in a post on social media, the discount retailer confirmed: “All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day and New Years Day. We would like to thank all our colleagues for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time the retailer has kept its doors shut on bank holidays.
Many shoppers will recall it has made the same decision to give hardworking staff a break every year since 2019.
Explaining a little more about the decision taken to close all its stores, Home Bargains said: “As a family-run business, we know the importance of being together at Christmas with those we care about most, now more than ever.
“This is our way of saying thank you to our colleagues for their continued hard work and dedication.”
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Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week
Emily Sergeant
Who says breakfast has to end at 11am?
In news that’s set to be music to the ears of breakfast lovers in Manchester, Greggs is giving them exactly what they want.
We all know that brunch is a ‘thing’ by now, so now it’s time for brinner to make a name for itself instead, as Greggs has teamed up with Heinz to bring its much-loved breakfast menu back for tea time, kicking off from 4pm onwards.
The move comes as a new survey has found that the majority of Mancs (69%) admit to enjoying eating breakfast food in the evening, saying it’s ‘convenient and comforting’ – even ranking breakfast as a ‘more important’ meal than tea, as well (38% vs 36%).
Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week / Credit: Greggs (Supplied)
Greggs says it has ‘lost count’ of the amount of customers that have tried to order breakfast items after the usual cut-off time, especially in Greater Manchester.
But luckily for those breakfast-loving Mancs, they can finally get their favourite breakfast and sauce pairing long after the morning rush is over next… but only at two Greggs branches, and only for a very limited time.
On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October, the Heinz x Greggs Brinner collab will be available at Greggs St Mary’s Gate and Greggs Oxford Road, from 4-7pm only.
“We’ve lost count of the number of customers who have tried their luck ordering breakfast after 11am, so when Heinz came to us with the idea of making Brinner a reality, it felt like the perfect excuse to give the people what they want,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Customer Director at Greggs.
“And let’s be honest, a Greggs Bacon Roll just wouldn’t be the same without a squeeze of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.”
Emily Sergeant -
5th May 2022 
