Dont shoot me Im just the messenger

This is the BBC remember, you know the channel that had scalextrix qualifying on when the rugby should have been starting

I wouldnt mind but the actual "racing" was over and it was just that prat Eddie Jordan and the Scottish feller with the huuuuuge jaw talking

Talking bollox.

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.

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