Steve Bloomer's Watchin'
Encyclopedia
The song Steve Bloomer's Watchin' has been the official club anthem of Derby County Football Club
since Boxing Day
1997, where the finished version of the song was played for the first time before the league game against Newcastle United
. Derby won the game 1-0. The original version of the song was first played before the Manchester United
home game in October of that same season.
The idea for the song began in November 1996 when two Derby County
supporters Mark Tewson and Martyn Miller heard an old Australian rules football
song entitled "Up There Cazaly
" which was composed by Mike Brady
, in 1979, for an Australian TV show. Within days of first hearing the Australian song, the two Derby
fans had rewritten the lyrics of the song. A friend and musician Stephen Halsten-Reid re-vamped the musical composition.
The local BBC radio station, Radio Derby
aired the song on the Pam Steele Show. The Derby County Press Officer told Miller and Tewson that he thought they had something here that could work, however, a more professional version of the composition would be needed if this was going to be an anthem of the future. The actor Robert Lindsay
agreed to assist. Others involved in the new recording were Lionel Pickering
and Jim Smith
(who were Derby's owner and manager respectively) and many of the squad's players at the time, including team captain, Robin van der Laan
, Ron Willems
, and Robert Kozluk
. The eventual recording was performed under the name "Robert Lindsay and the Pride Park Posse".
A near capacity crowd greeted the home team as they walked out onto the field on Boxing Day
1997 to play Newcastle United
. They were also greeted by the thundering noise of "Steve Bloomer's Watchin'" over the loud-speaker system. From then until the end of the season, the song was played before the home games and also at full time, unless Derby lose. In the years since its first pre-game playing, the song has grown in popularity among the Derby
fans. It is still played at home games and can now be often heard being sung at away games by the fans themselves.
In 2007, "Steve Bloomer's Watchin'" celebrated its 10th anniversary as the club's official song. The song has helped bring Steve Bloomer
back into the consciousness of modern Derby fans. The player was a genius on the field with unparalleled scoring achievements, for both Derby
and England
(28 goals in 23 games). He was the game's first true superstar and, rightly, there has been a bronze statue of him placed next to the home dug-out at Pride Park Stadium
where all future generations of Derby fans will be able to look and see one of the greatest players ever to grace a football pitch.
Our history's full of legends,
And football played on high,
Raich Carter
, Peter Doherty
,
You should have seen 'em fly.
Now we all just love football,
But will we lift the crown,
The noise goes up, the Rams come out,
Onto the hallowed ground.
Steve Bloomer's Watchin',
Helping them fight,
Guiding our heroes,
In the black and the white.
All teams who come here,
There's nowhere to hide,
Everyone is frightened,
Of that Derby pride.
The Rams just play football,
That make our hearts so proud,
McFarland
and Hector
,
Were names to thrill the crowd.
And if you love or hate us,
Just wait until we score,
The ball goes in, the stands light up,
And how the mighty roar.
The Rams are a coming,
We're out there to win,
Playing like fury,
They won't let 'em in.
Home sides be wary,
Of our heart and our soul,
We're searching for glory,
And victory is our goal.
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
since Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
1997, where the finished version of the song was played for the first time before the league game against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. Derby won the game 1-0. The original version of the song was first played before the Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
home game in October of that same season.
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
supporters Mark Tewson and Martyn Miller heard an old Australian rules football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
song entitled "Up There Cazaly
Up There Cazaly
"Up There Cazaly" is an Australian sporting catchphrase inspired by former St Kilda and South Melbourne great Roy Cazaly...
" which was composed by Mike Brady
Mike Brady
Michael Brady may refer to:* Michael Brady, retired U.S.-English soccer player, coach of the American University women’s soccer team* Mike Brady , American professional golfer* Mike Brady , Australian musician...
, in 1979, for an Australian TV show. Within days of first hearing the Australian song, the two Derby
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
fans had rewritten the lyrics of the song. A friend and musician Stephen Halsten-Reid re-vamped the musical composition.
The local BBC radio station, Radio Derby
BBC Radio Derby
BBC Radio Derby is the BBC Local Radio station for the English county of Derbyshire, covering all but the northern tip of the county, and also serves eastern Staffordshire, mainly Uttoxeter and Burton upon Trent. The station broadcasts from its studios in Derby on 104.5, 95.3 and 96.0 FM and 1116...
aired the song on the Pam Steele Show. The Derby County Press Officer told Miller and Tewson that he thought they had something here that could work, however, a more professional version of the composition would be needed if this was going to be an anthem of the future. The actor Robert Lindsay
Robert Lindsay (actor)
Robert Lindsay is an English actor who is best known for his television work, especially his roles of Wolfie Smith in Citizen Smith, Michael Murray in G.B.H., Captain Sir Edward Pellew in Hornblower and Ben Harper in My Family which has been on television screens since 2000.-Early life:Lindsay was...
agreed to assist. Others involved in the new recording were Lionel Pickering
Lionel Pickering
Lionel Victor Pickering was an English businessman, best known as the owner of Derby County F.C. between 1991 and 2003...
and Jim Smith
Jim Smith (footballer)
James Michael "Jim" Smith is a retired English footballer and manager. As a player, he made 249 appearances in the Fourth Division of The Football League, representing Aldershot, Halifax Town, Lincoln City and Colchester United, and played for three-and-a-half years for Boston United of the...
(who were Derby's owner and manager respectively) and many of the squad's players at the time, including team captain, Robin van der Laan
Robin van der Laan
Robin van der Laan is a Dutch former footballer who spent most of his senior career in English football...
, Ron Willems
Ron Willems
Ron Willems is a former Dutch footballer.During his career he played for PEC Zwolle, FC Twente, AFC Ajax, Grasshopper-Club Zürich, and Derby County F.C., where he made 26 appearances and scored 2 goals in the Premier League.His relative Menno Willems was also a professional footballer.-External...
, and Robert Kozluk
Robert Kozluk
Robert Kozluk is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. Predominantly a right-back, he can also operate on the left or at the centre of defence when needed....
. The eventual recording was performed under the name "Robert Lindsay and the Pride Park Posse".
A near capacity crowd greeted the home team as they walked out onto the field on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
1997 to play Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. They were also greeted by the thundering noise of "Steve Bloomer's Watchin'" over the loud-speaker system. From then until the end of the season, the song was played before the home games and also at full time, unless Derby lose. In the years since its first pre-game playing, the song has grown in popularity among the Derby
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
fans. It is still played at home games and can now be often heard being sung at away games by the fans themselves.
In 2007, "Steve Bloomer's Watchin'" celebrated its 10th anniversary as the club's official song. The song has helped bring Steve Bloomer
Steve Bloomer
Steve Bloomer was an English footballer and manager who played for Derby County, Middlesbrough and England during the 1890s and 1900s. Bloomer remains a legend at Derby County and the club anthem, Steve Bloomer's Watchin', is played before every home game...
back into the consciousness of modern Derby fans. The player was a genius on the field with unparalleled scoring achievements, for both Derby
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
and England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
(28 goals in 23 games). He was the game's first true superstar and, rightly, there has been a bronze statue of him placed next to the home dug-out at Pride Park Stadium
Pride Park Stadium
Pride Park Stadium is an all-seater football stadium located on the Pride Park business park on the outskirts of Derby, England. It is the current home of Football League Championship club Derby County, who moved to the stadium from the Baseball Ground upon its opening in 1997...
where all future generations of Derby fans will be able to look and see one of the greatest players ever to grace a football pitch.
The Lyrics
- Verse One
Our history's full of legends,
And football played on high,
Raich Carter
Raich Carter
Horatio Stratton "Raich" Carter was one of the greatest English footballers of the pre-war era...
, Peter Doherty
Peter Doherty (footballer)
Peter Dermot Doherty was a Northern Ireland international footballer and manager who played for Manchester City.An inside left, he was one of the top players of his time, winning a league title with Manchester City, an F.A. Cup final with Derby County in which he scored, and gained 16 caps for...
,
You should have seen 'em fly.
Now we all just love football,
But will we lift the crown,
The noise goes up, the Rams come out,
Onto the hallowed ground.
- Home Chorus
Steve Bloomer's Watchin',
Helping them fight,
Guiding our heroes,
In the black and the white.
All teams who come here,
There's nowhere to hide,
Everyone is frightened,
Of that Derby pride.
- Verse Two
The Rams just play football,
That make our hearts so proud,
McFarland
Roy McFarland
Roy Leslie McFarland is an English football manager who was also a player, notably at Derby County where he played 434 league games helping him to earn 28 caps for England.-Playing career:...
and Hector
Kevin Hector
Kevin James Hector is an English former footballer who scored 268 goals from 662 appearances in the Football League playing for Bradford Park Avenue and Derby County. His 486 League appearances for Derby County is a club record...
,
Were names to thrill the crowd.
And if you love or hate us,
Just wait until we score,
The ball goes in, the stands light up,
And how the mighty roar.
- Home Chorus repeated twice.
- Away Chorus
The Rams are a coming,
We're out there to win,
Playing like fury,
They won't let 'em in.
Home sides be wary,
Of our heart and our soul,
We're searching for glory,
And victory is our goal.
- Home chorus repeated to finale.