If you were to ask any Blackpool fan about the song 'Glad all over', they would associate it with goal celebrations, joyous pleasure, happy clapping and even weddings and funerals. The Dave Clark Five 1964 song has been the Seasiders celebration music for many years - although when and why it was first introduced is a hazy subject. Maybe it was inspired by a visit to Crystal Palace, where the song is used, or the fact 'it does what it says in the title' lead to it becoming Blackpool's goal celebration music. However, whilst no one can ever take away the Premier League memories, with the removal of Owen Oyston, some of the familiar furniture around Bloomfield Road has to go. The tearing down of the Oyston sign on the West Stand on Monday afternoon was the most symbolic gesture, but with the cleaning of the stadium by volunteers, other memories of the Oyston era also have to go.
Saturday marks a new start for the Seasiders and that means for many that some of the old ways need to be replaced. the goal celebration music falls in to that category. In a thread on AVFTT, the question was asked 'Do we want Glad all over' on Saturday? Whilst the poll showed a majority saying no, it's the 136 replies to the thread that tell the true story with pretty much all posters giving it the thumbs down. Of course there will always be the question of whether goal celebration music should be replaced or if the sound of the crowd cheering should be enough (indeed don't be surprised if they do get rid of the music for one or two to sing the song anyway!). The problem is that, a bit like when it comes to any music choice, there will never be a majority verdict and therefore the chance of pleasing everyone is unlikely. Aside from GameJam's version of 'My Way', there hasn't really been a song that has united Blackpool fans enough to want to hear it after every goal. For most the noise and the celebrations from the crowd should suffice (it also means we don't get the embarrassing scenario of the music either starting once we've kicked off or continuing longer than it should - a regular occurence!).
The whole subject of music at football grounds is pretty divisive. There are some where the music is so loud you can feel your ears bleeding, others where it whimps along in the background, places where they get the music spot on (anyone who has been to Rochdale and listened to classic Buzzcocks, The Jam and Oasis might agree), and some where it goes horribly wrong (one trip to Bradford where they were playing the Cheeky Girls pre-match was memorable for all the wrong reasons). Then you have the actual sound systems. Go to places like Old Trafford, the Emirates and even Hull's ground and the speakers boom out in impressive style. Blackpool's PA system, like everything else, was bought on the cheap from a Tandy catalogue. The microphone cuts out at the most inappropriate moments and those in the East have to listen through a couple of tin cans.
There was a story that when Scott Vernon scored a 94th minute winner on a wet Tuesday Night at Bloomfield Road that someone heard the roar from the Tower. Blackpool fans are renowned for their noise and that's what most want to hear on Saturday and not some 60's Palace rip off song from over 50 years ago. Let's just hope there's a goal to celebrate.
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