Five Of The Best Footballers Trying To Be Popstars
1) ANDY COLE - "Outstanding"
It may have been an outstanding year for Manchester United in 1999 but there was frankly no need for Andy, sorry, Andrew Cole to make a song and dance about it. The now-retired striker rapped on a cover of The Gap Band's "Outstanding" - oh, the irony - ten years ago. When the striker moved back to Nottingham Forest this summer shortly before his retirement, fans set up a Facebook group with the aim of getting Cole's single re-released and into the Top 40. The group boasts just over 1,500 members.
2) SLAVEN BILIC and RAWBAU - "Vatreno Ludilo"
Croatian boss Slaven Bilic once stated "I cannot do my job without music," similar to how Steve McClaren apparently once uttered, "I cannot do my job without an umbrella." Despite a heavy footballing schedule, Bilic is an integral part of Croatian rock group Rawbau, playing rhythm guitar with his favored red Gibson Explorer. In 2008, the band recorded a song for Croatia's performance at Euro 2008 called "Vatreno Ludilo" ("Fiery Madness"), which became a number one hit.
3) JOHN BARNES and ENGLAND TEAM-MATES - "World In Motion"
Barnes wasn't renowned for his tactical prowess whilst in charge at Celtic and now in his new role as manager of Jamaica, fans are again fearful that his strategies only stretch as far as the lyrics he rapped in 'World In Motion': "They'll always hit you, and hurt you, defend and attack, there's only one way to beat them, get round the back." No balls over the top, nothing into feet, nowt. Utterly one-dimensional.
4) GLENN HODDLE and CHRIS WADDLE - "Diamond Lights"
Aaaah - the vocal efforts of Messrs Hoddle and Waddle, complete with the Miami Vice look of rolled up sleeves and matching mullets. We all recall what happened when these two England team-mates were given their three minutes on Top of the Pops, and it wasn't nearly as pretty as their on-field performances. But for those with short memories - here it is.
5) CARLOS TEVEZ and PIOLA VAGO - "Baila Cumbia"
We leave you with something weird and wonderful. The Manchester United striker is the frontman of an Argentinian "urban shantytown" band called Piola Vago, which was formed in the slums of Villa de Los Andes in Tevez's hometown of Buenos Aires. The band's output is largely devoted to its singer's stellar sporting career, with tracks like "A Carlitos Tevez" (which for some reason makes the Carling Team mentally mould those lyrics into 'A Town Called Malice'...) expounding the joys of goalscoring and making his family proud. Tevez's latest composition is an ode to his beloved English club, entitled "My Love Affair". We're yet to find out if Fergie's feelings are mutual...
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