
The Fields of Anfield Road, the single released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy, has entered the charts at number 16.
The record last night made its debut in the Top 20, after selling thousands of copies since its release last Monday.
The track, which was available in Merseyside’s HMV stores and online at iTunes, has proved a huge hit with music buyers and LFC fans.
There was concern earlier this week that chart bosses were threatening to disqualify thousands of sales of Liverpool's Hillsborough single amid "bulk buying" fears.
Some fans bought multiple copies, arousing suspicion that the sales figures were inaccurate. This week at Liverpool One’s HMV store one fan bought 96 copies of the £2 CD – One for each Liverpool fan who lost their lives.
Many HMV stores were sold out of the record over the Easter weekend, which may have hampered its chart position.
There had been hopes of a Top 10 debut, but the huge popularity of the song among Liverpool fans took the track’s creators by surprise.
Another 10,000 copies have been made and will be available to buy after Bank Holiday Monday.
In the northwest chart, the song, based on the Irish classic Fields of Athenry, knocked Lady GaGa off top spot.
Liverpool Lord Mayor Cllr Steve Rotheram, who was involved with the song, said:
“We were almost victims of our own success as we didn’t think as many people would want to have a physical copy.
We tried to restock as quick as we possibly could.
“The whole project, to commemorate the death of 96 Liverpool supporters, and getting it in the charts in its first week, is a credit to everyone who bought it.”
Peter Hooton, singer from The Farm, who features on the track, added: “HMV have told us they haven’t seen sales like this in years.
“When we started out, we never had the charts in mind.
“For many, the record is like memorabilia. If other stores across the country had sold it, it would have gone even higher.”
A capacity crowd at Anfield observed a minute’s silence for the Hillsborough 20th anniversary before Liverpool’s game against Blackburn.
Football scarves were quietly held aloft, with one large banner bearing the message “96 Brothers”.
Stephen Warnock, Blackburn’s former Liverpool player, also carried a wreath onto the pitch and laid it on the turf in front of the Kop before kick-off.
Moores brothers return home
(Wed 23/05)
Liverpool to set sail with cruise terminal joy
(Tue 22/05)
Post a comment