Indeed.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but don't they start the Super Bowl with something like Star Spangled Banner ?

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot?



Abide With Me is part of the whole Challenge Cup Final build-up, it wouldn't be the same without it. We can continue, and will, as a sport to evolve, but we will always have traditions that'll be there forever.

Back in the 90's we tried the Americanised bollox, such as Diana Ross singing from the rear of a white open top limo, twas $hite.

Good crowd though.

Ermmm - & Wakefield!

Anyone who wants to scrap Abide With Me wants their head checking. One of the few traditions left in this sport, and I can't believe anyone with any true feeling for the cup, their club or the sport in general can't be moved by the fact that it's been sung before every cup final for so long, and long may it continue.

Indeed.

spot on lad - singing Abide with me at the cup final is as important to the day as handing the cup over to the winning captain .........scrap it ??? pah !!

I think the singing of 'Abide With Me' goes back to the days of community sing at the final and the hymn was a regular inclusion. When community singing was stopped fans campaigned for the singing of the hymn to be continued.
One TV view on Saturday showed a lady in a Wire shirt cying her eyes out during the singing.

I do prefer the Grand Final build up where singing and presentations take place whilst the players are still in the dressing room, they enter the field and go immediately to their starting positions. The national anthem and hand shaking at Wembley must be a pain to the players wanting to get on with the game.

The NFL do put on a better show but its hardly suprising with the amount of money they generate and the size of the audience, comparing it to Rugby league is just






This is quite correct good Sir.

If you want the showbiz razzamataz stuff, go to the Grand Final

If you want the tradition and celebration of the 113 years of the Challenge Cup then you go to the Cup Final and sing Abide With Me.

I got chocked up singing it at Twickers, why, because thats the moment when I knew we were actually at the Cup Final.

Id rather they scrapped singing the national anthem unless one of the sponging krauts actually turns up. Land of Hope and Glory is a far better tune.

Oh, and get a choir to sing it, not a soloist. Soloists, no matter how good, get lost in the volume of wembley.

Don't get drawn in mate, he's just market-driven, brain-dead, trolling 2@.

Too right, can't have the CCF without Abide With Me.

Can't beat Bernard Cribbins in 87 he was fantastic. How about getting a different Oldham celeb each year Bobby Ball, Christopher Biggins, Clint Boom the list is endless

I think you'll find in 1980 as well in the all hull cc final

That year was the Queen Mother.

Absolutely, with the whole Super League changeover and Grand Finals and Playoffs we can lose sight of the history and heritage of the sport sometimes. The Challenge Cup gives us a chance to recognise that history and heritage on a big stage and things like Abide with Me are part of that heritage in my opinion.

I like the Grand Final where the singing is done before the players come out and immediately get on with dismantling Saints (no sarcastic comments about this season please



), but the Challenge Cup represents something different, not necessarily better (thats a different argument) but different.

The Challenge Cup, its history, traditions and heritage should be preserved for as long as possible in my view. Which it makes it all the more annoying when there are c0ck-ups like with the mic.

I haven't read through the whole thread, but for those who had the misfortune of listening to Ray French attempting to sing it, you have my pity

Just a thought - why would someone standing on a microphone lead cause it to stop working - its not like a hosepipe is it ?

Glad I'm not alone in that thought - unless it was a particularly cheap piece of wiring

Same difference lol

I have several issues with the way Abide with Me has been treated, none of which have to do with the lady that sang (who was an excellent singer)

Firstly, I think A W M should be sang with the players lined up on the park AFTER the National Anthem

Secondly it should be sang by a man, to get the required deeper tones across. Actually it need not be an expensive classical singer. In fact I think Steve Prescott wouldd have been a great choice (if he can sing in tune)

Thirdly - Some fecker needs to check the acoustics!

With Greg Eastwood in the line up, I'm surprised they found it again!

I thought it was very poor entertainment wise. Abide with me was ruined for me and would probably have been the highlight of my day (result dependant). Only Men Aloud? Who? Couldn't the RFL book someone half decent, get the crowds in to watch them instead of them?

Does anyone really decide to go to the Challenge Cup Final based on who is singing Abide With Me?

Yes, the singer.