FOOTBALL-MAD youngsters at a Derby special school have been showing their support for Frank Lampard’s Derby County by learning the words to Rams anthem ‘Steve Bloomer’s Watching’.
St Giles School, in Hampshire Road, have also learned how to sign the song – which is played before every Derby County home game – using Makaton; a language programme that uses signs and symbols as a form of communication.
They performed it at a class assembly this week – with Derby County mascot Rammie their special guest – ahead of the Rams’ Sky Bet Championship play-off final against Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium on Monday.
Karen Brownhill, communications practitioner at St Giles, said: “We have a little boy, Cody Clarke, who is a huge Rams fan. He always asks to sing ‘Steve Bloomer’s Watching’ during our choir practice.
“With football fever gripping the city, we thought that it would be great if staff here at St Giles could also learn the song and perform it during our class assembly. We’re all backing the Rams – and can’t wait to watch them, hopefully, secure promotion to the Premier League.”
Laura Taylor, deputy head and head of Teaching & Learning at St Giles, said: “Most of the children and staff here at St Giles are football-crazy; a lot of the youngsters support Derby County and we thought this would be a perfect way of showing our allegiance.
“We have received great support from the Rams in recent year; Derby midfielder Bradley Johnson helped to raise £30,000 for the multi-use games arena we plan to open soon by holding a fundraising ball at Pride Park Stadium.
“They fought back to beat Leeds United at Elland Road and we’re hopeful that Frank’s boys can go one better against Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium.”
As well as the class assembly, which was filmed by Derby County Community Trust for a documentary titled #ThisIsDerby being shown at Quad in July, pupils made black & white biscuits to take home.
ENDS
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