Roshan Nayak

Football Fans Hail Coventry City‘s Pre Kickoff Rock Gig

Coventry City, Football Culture

So far, Coventry City’s season has been so excellent that their fans may believe they are living a “dream” rather than a “reality”. They currently lead the Championship table with 31 points from 14 games, having scored a lumpsum 39 goals and conceding only 14. If they can maintain their position at the top of the table, automatic Premier League promotion will not be far away, as will winning the Championship.

The Coventry blue are also being managed by the former Chelsea blue, Frank Lampard.

But, there are times in football when you remember that the game is about more than just goals and points. And, that is exactly what took place the other night at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry City’s homeground.

Coventry City supporters, thousands of them joined in together, lit up the stands with mobile phone torches, and chanted their anthem – “We’ll Live And Die In These Towns” with the local rock band “The Enemy” – which later went viral for all the right reasons. It took place on the 4th of November when Coventry played Sheffield United in the Championship.

“The Enemy” are the local Coventry band and their song “We’ll Live And Die In These Towns” is basically their anthem. The song, released in 2007 by The Enemy, has long persisted as a symbol of Coventry’s working-class pride, defiance, and unity. The meaning of the song fits the club perfectly: the idea that your hometown moulds you, defines you, and stays with you.

It was so special because the band were present in the stadium and 20,000+ fans sang it together and everyone had their phone torches on, making it look like a concert rather than a football match. The song is emotionally connected to the city and the club. Coventry fans have been singing it for years.

These are magical and memorable moments in football that have nothing to do with what happens on the pitch –

It indeed was a special moment for the Coventry fans and some of them even had a lot to say:

Looking back it’s v hard to believe this is our club. Feels more than a dream. This was unimaginable Loving every moment (bar bits of last Friday).

It was unbelievable delighted it was one my trips over.

It was very special. Awesome start to finish. Fair play to the armed services also , the chap doing the last post was amazing as well. And another three points.

That was a very special night.

Absolutely mint

Felt an honour to be there tonight. Phenomenal

Wouldn’t want to Live or Die anywhere else

Was absolutely unreal

A Middlesborough fan even had to say this:

Last season the cov lot singing this on the last day of the season was the greatest atmosphere I’ve ever been in at a football ground and seeing this now is making really jealous that we don’t have one

After the game, Coventry’s manager, Frank Lampard was also asked whether he had witnessed the show:

“Well I missed it, so unfortunately I didn’t get that, but I would’ve loved to have seen them, I was inside prepping as usual, but it was great for the fans, great song, great band and I would love to meet them”. [BBC Sport]

In times when modern football often feels too commercial or disconnected, this was a moment that felt raw and very touching.

Coventry fans have endured a terrible time over the last decade or so. They’ve witnessed relocations, their home stadium get demolished, games played miles away from the city, ups and downs, ownership troubles, and what not. Coventry fans might even had given up. Instead, they stuck to their roots. Songs like these became symbols of resistance. A sign of loyalty. A sign that no matter what the team goes through, the fans will always be the 12th men in football.

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