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‘Your defence is terrified!’: how Freed from Desire became a football, darts and protest anthem


Gala’s 1996 song has gone from forgotten rave classic to football terrace anthem – and was even used to protest against Rishi Sunak. The song’s creator and fans explain an unlikely revival

Freed From Desire was being sung on the terraces from the early 2010s onwards – but its rise to ubiquity really started when a Wigan Athletic fan shared an ode to the club’s in-form Northern Irish striker, built around the memorable line “Will Grigg’s on fire, your defence is terrified” … Initially Liverpool’s Kop terrace would sing the songs of Cilla Black and the Beatles verbatim as they were so synonymous with their city. At a National Education Union protest last year, striking teachers would chant “ My pay’s no higher, Rishi Sunak is a liar ” …

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