The Football Association (the English Football Association) is considering creating an anthem for the FA Cupon the model of the music that has now become an icon of UEFA Champions League. The FA – writes the newspaper The Times – commissioned a company belonging to the Universal Music group to create an anthem for the men’s FA Cup and a separate one for the women’s competition.
The initiative aims to enhance the pre-match atmosphere of cup matches and strengthen the recognition of the oldest tournament in English football – an operation which, in marketing language, is defined as «sonic branding». The FA Cup anthem would be played in stadiums during player farewells from the qualifying rounds to the Wembley final. However, it would not replace Abide With Me, the traditional anthem of the FA Cup, nor the music used by clubs when the teams enter the pitch.
The anthems would also be made available to television broadcasters and would become an integral part of national and international television coverage of the tournament. UEFA already has anthems for the Champions League and Europa League, which over time have become real sound signatures of the competitions. The FA noted examples such as those of Celtic and Aston Villa fans who erupted in chants and applause when the Champions League anthem was played following the clubs’ return to Europe’s top competition following long absences.
The Premier League also has its own anthem, broadcast during the opening greetings. Some BBC theme songs, often dating back over 50 years, have become inextricably linked to major sporting events, such as Wimbledon tennis, the London Marathon, the Grand National and Match of the Day.
The FA plans to entrust the composition of the cup anthems to a British composer, with a strong orchestral component. An FA source said: «We’ve seen the impact music can have on the pre-game atmosphere. It takes time to build recognition, but we see it in many Champions League matches and, in particular, in recent years at Celtic Park and Villa Park. This is part of our marketing plan for the FA Cups: to keep them fresh and modern, but clearly linked to their extraordinary tradition. Music and sport work very well together, especially in the digital age, and we hope to create an anthem that will be loved by fans».
Fan groups are likely to be consulted on some sample pieces before arriving at a final decision. An FA spokeswoman confirmed: «We are working on some music ideas for the FA Cups and hope to provide updates in the coming months».
