Back home they’ll be thinking about us
When we are far away
Back home they’ll be really behind us
In every game we play
They’ll share every goal we are scoring
Out there we will still hear them roaring
And we’ll give all we’ve got to give
For the folks back home
Back home they’ll be watching and waiting
And cheering every move
Back home though they think we’re the greatest
That’s what we’ve got to prove
Once more we will meet with the best
Like before we’ll be put to the test
Oh we will give all we’ve got to give
For the folks back home
Introduction
You might, if you are going through your record collection in the loft, have a World Cup classic single that was released in 1970 by the England football team. Find your turntable, blow off the dust and put this rousing gem ahead of the Euros. Written by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter and released on Pye Records, this 45, 7” single spurned the tradition of England recording a new song before the World Cup. This particular one featured a stellar cast including Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Bobby Charlton, Jack Charlton, Gordon Banks and Alan Ball. A record that had a less memorable B-side track of “Cinnamon Stick”.
The Feel-Good Factor
Much has been said about England’s epic 4-2 win over West Germany in the final of the 1966 World Cup at Wembley. However, fast forward to 1970 and the pressure was on for England to play well and retain their title in the blistering heat of Mexico. The test card for colour television, this tournament produced heartache for Sir Alf Ramsey’s squad. Despite a 1-0 win against Romania and Czechoslovakia, they lost 1-0 to Brazil in their Group C draw. They would go on to eventually lose to West Germany in the quarter-finals 2-3. Brazil would go on to win the title 4-1 after beating Italy in the final. Perhaps if Sir Alf Ramsay hadn’t subbed off Bobby Charlton when England was leading West Germany 2-0, it would have been a different outcome. However, it lead to decades of hurt with people still having to talk about England’s 1966 win as a result.
The Legacy
Despite this impending loss, the England squad released an album in April with a selection of 1960s covers including the Beatles’ song Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da and Martin Peters on vocals. The album included the track Back Home. Something you would rush to Woolworths to buy in those days. Although football players don’t have the best singing voices bar Terry Venables, this single and album encapsulated the patriotism and pride associated with the England national team. Fearless and brilliant, they will remain as the benchmark for all present and future football players.
