If ever the toxicity of social media was writ large, it’s been demonstrated by the reaction to today’s announcement that UB40 will be playing at St Andrew’s on the day of the Preston match.  Don’t get me wrong, we should always be critical friends of the new board. We should always make sure we independently check that what is going on is best for fans. It’s a business after all.

However, choose your battles.

One of the iconic parts of being a Blues fan is the communal noise of everyone doing an instrumental rendition of the band’s song Food For Thought, especially after a good win. So, for the board to make a Bank Holiday special by getting one of the founding members to play the band’s hits, free of charge by the way, seems a pretty cool gesture.

But what have I already seen on social media?

Unbelievable negativity.

Do you know what, even if they booked a tribute band, and I saw a brilliant one from Brum out in the Caribbean last year called Rats in the Kitchen, I’d think fair play.

But this is the band which holds the name UB40.

I don’t care if you don’t agree. I’d prefer it if Ali Campbell was still part of it. But he isn’t. I’d prefer it if Freddie Mercury was still lead singer with Queen. Or if Stuart Adamson was still fronting Big Country. They still seem to sell places out.

I say fair play to the club and I hope it’s well supported. At least they’re trying to do something different for the fans, unlike the Trillion Trophy lot. If you don’t like it, don’t go. And save your reserves of negativity for something worth complaining about.

I reckon most fans will love it and they’ll be singing the rafters off when Food For Thought starts. And particularly if the Blues win.

The club’s announcement is here

KRO

Jez Hemming