Not Nineteen Forever became Manchester United’s official 20th title track and the Cournteeners frontman Liam Fray is delighted to be raising funds for charity as a result.
After the anthem played following United’s championship-winning victory over Aston Villa last week the hit single was re-released on iTunes.
And The Courteeners are donating a percentage of the proceeds to the Manchester United Foundation – raising funds for Francis House and The Christie.
“It really wasn’t a big decision to make, of course we’d let United use our song,” Liam told the club website. “It’s humbling and surreal.
“I don’t want to sound careerist but it’s the biggest football club in the world – my team – and it makes me proud. People at home are proud, it’s really nice and it just feels cool.
“We’re really happy to help the Foundation too because we’ve never been asked to do anything with a charity before.
“Some people say ‘oh, you think you are Bono for helping out’ but it’s a mega cause and if you’re asked to help, it’s a no-brainer.”
The childhood United fan, who was once a ball boy at Old Trafford, has good reason to want to help the cancer charities having witnessed a close friend be diagnosed.
“My friend Kevin was diagnosed with testicular cancer when he was 18,” he added. “Which put things into perspective for me.
“I was coming home from parties in Fallowfield or Withington and he was going the other way for treatment. That woke us all up and The Christie has been close to my heart since.
“The single has done really well since it was re-released and charted highly on iTunes. It’s great because most of the money will go to local charities like Francis House and The Christie, which is extra-special.
“You can give money or time, but if you give both then that’s amazing.”
Picture courtesy of Ant217, with thanks.
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