Long regarded as an homage to the city of Liverpool, Gerry And The Pacemakers 60's hit song 'Ferry Cross The Mersey' today dominates headlines worldwide after being adopted as the official club anthem of...arch rivals Manchester United!
Liverpudlians recoiled in horror at the news, and this morning the entire city ground to a halt as outraged Scousers took a breather to allow the news to sink in.
"This is an outrage," Derek 'Deggsy' Hatton, former council leader (until he allegedly got caught by the press in a German brothel abusing among other things his expense account) told us. "Ferry is a Liverpudlian song, written and performed by Liverpudlians, for Liverpudlians. Certainly not Mancs. The consequences of such an outrageous abuse of wealth and power will be far reaching."
It is reported that Manchester United will tweak the lyrics a bit, changing them to 'Ferry Cross The Irwell' but otherwise the song would retain its essential integrity.
"I don't know why they're getting all out of their prams over this," a Manchester United fan told us. "Their 'You'll Never Walk Alone' anthem comes from the American musical 'Carousel' for God's sake."
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson denied playing mind games with Rafa Benitez, his Liverpool opposite number, but he was seen sniggering at United's Carrington training ground.
More as we get it.
