Frank Skinner teams up with footballing legends on new poem about the beautiful game
Frank Skinner has teamed up with a number of footballing legends on a fan-inspired poem about the beautiful game ahead of UEFA Euro 2028 powered by BT.
Frank Skinner has teamed up with a number of footballing legends on a fan-inspired poem about the beautiful game.
The Three Lions co-writer has joined forces with Izzy Christiansen (England), Helen Ward (Wales), Rachel Corsie (Scotland) and Keith Gillespie (Northern Ireland) for the spoken-word piece titled Four Nations, One Chant, which draws on real fan insights and experiences from across the home nations ahead of UEFA Euro 2028 powered by BT.
Frank said: “When BT asked me to help capture what football means to fans today, I loved the idea of collaborating on something inspired by supporters themselves.
“What came through was a real sense of togetherness - that football doesn’t just entertain us, it connects us.”
“As we look ahead to UEFA EURO 2028 on home soil, it feels fitting to celebrate the way the game brings people closer, whether through a shared chant, a shared screen or a shared moment of joy.”
The sporting legends were delighted to shine a spotlight on the important role played by fans and how inspiring they can be.
Izzy said: “When I think about football in England now, it’s how much the game has grown and who gets to be part of it. I’ve seen first-hand how the connection between players and fans has changed; it’s closer, more visible, and more inclusive than ever. Whether you’re in the stands or following along wherever you are, that sense of being part of something bigger is what makes it special.”
Keith added: “Some of my best memories are playing away and still hearing Northern Irish fans louder than anyone else in the stadium. That support stays with you. It’s proper, unwavering. It tells you everything about what football means back home. That’s why this kind of moment matters, because it brings that spirit to the surface in a unique way.”
The launch of the poem at London’s Wembley stadium followed new research commissioned by BT, which found nearly three quarters (72%) of people from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland say tournaments like the UEFA EURO 2028 have a major impact on the nation’s culture, identity and mood, while 75% say they are already excited for UEFA EURO 2028 to take place on home soil.
To watch Frank Skinner, Izzy Christiansen, Keith Gillespie and Rachel Corsie perform the poem together, visit the BT YouTube channel.
Full poem:
Four Nations, One Chant
That feeling before,
Before the roar,
Before that sound of boot against ball.
At the ground, in the bar, or just sitting there
in your own little flat, in your underwear
with a nice cup of tea, in your favourite chair.
If you properly care
Then you’re properly there.
Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, West Bromwich,
ready to cheer, to revere and pay homage
to our teams and our dreams
our fists punching the air
or clenched in despair.
You can be anywhere
but when you really care,
When you properly care,
then you’re properly there.
The wall chart’s unfolded, the face-paint’s been bought
The team in your sticker-book’s just 2 men short.
You’ve got the new shirt and you’ve stacked-up the snacks
Bit nervous but mainly just stoked to the max
It’s the UEFA EUROS 2028. And time to re-write England’s story.
With a Lioness style ending and ticker-tape glory?
In the pub, that’s the hub, where the voices aa blend
And you’re huggin a stranger like they’re your best friend
Fae a buzz tae a roar, fae a spark tae a flame
We’re no watching alone, coz we all share one name.
It’s Scotland. It’s Alba. That word brings a tear to your eye
and we’ll scream for our team and we’ll never say die.
We’ll follow our team like a heavenly choir
Our hymns and arias can only inspire
We will not go gentle into that good night
We’ll sing our hearts out for the red, green and white
We are Wales and the tales of these times we will share,
and might even say ‘I know ‘cos I was there’
When it comes to the EUROS, we strive to succeed there
So we made our way to the wishing chair
And we asked that the team would be focused and driven
And for some of that magic that Georgie was given.
Northern Ireland will rise, you can feel it ignite
Cos the wishing chair will see us right.
Yes, of course, we’re all different
But, at source, we’re the same
Pride and unity.
Passion. Community.
Different kits
Different voices
But all part of the game
All the heart of the game.
And our love of the game.
Makes
Us
Us
