Former NI international Keith Gillespie stars in fan-inspired football poem with Frank Skinner and Home Nations legends ahead of UEFA EURO 2028

The piece is inspired by supporters from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and marks BT’s role as Official Telecommunications Partner of UEFA EURO 2028.

BT say the poem brings together voices from across the UK to capture what football means now: the emotion, the atmosphere, the matchday rituals and the moments that connect supporters whether they are in a stadium, at home or on the move.

The launch follows a new national consumer survey commissioned by BT, with research finding that 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.

Gillespie won 86 caps for Northern Ireland and he spoke of his enthusiasm at being involved with the project.

He stated: "The passion just in the poem is really great because I think it is a way of uniting the fans.

"As a Northern Ireland fan, I want every home nation there at Euro 2028 because it gives you more interest.

"It was great that we had the nations that we did in France 2016, and obviously when Northern Ireland went out against Wales, then you sort of had a little look towards Wales to see how they were doing and cheering them on.”

The poem titled Four Nations, One Chant is as follows:

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