A MEMBER of chart-toppers Embrace has recorded the music for a film celebrating Bradford City fans returning to matches.

Back in 2006 Embrace released the official World Cup song, World At Your Feet. Now Mickey Dale, the band’s keyboard player and string arranger, has recorded an orchestral version of Take Me Home Country Roads for Bradford City. The John Denver classic is synonymous with Valley Parade, where City fans sing “Take Me Home, Midland Road”.

Mickey has also worked with local band Good Citizens on a re-recording of their version, Take Me Home, to be unveiled at the first City match fans can attend. The football club has two home friendlies planned for July, with restricted crowds.

“I was asked by Good Citizens if I’d re-record Take Me Home. It’s been played over the PA system at Valley Parade for a good few years now, and the band felt it was time to spruce it up a bit,” said Mickey.

“Just before the recording session (Bradford City chief executive) Ryan Sparks and his team asked me into the club to discuss me making an orchestral version of the song for their season ticket campaign. They wanted a piece of music with a delicate, understated feel, building to a big emotional peak. The plan was to use the orchestral version for a short film the club had commissioned, showing a City fan leaving his house and travelling through the district to his first City game after the long lockdown. It’s a moving story and it’s beautifully told in the film. It’s an honour to have been asked to do this.”

Added Mickey: “I’m overwhelmed by the many kind messages from fans who’ve seen the video and said has brought tears to their eyes and made them very proud to be associated with Bradford City - not just as a football club but the city itself.”

Mickey also recorded a new version of Good Citizens’ Take Me Home with the band in his Heaton studio. “I think it’s turned out brilliantly, we’re all excited to hear it blasting out at the first game of the new season,” said Mickey. “I plan to be there with the Good Citizens lads, and also my dad who is 78 and a lifelong City supporter.”

Mickey has been back in the studio with Embrace this week, working on the band’s eighth studio album. “It’s been so good to all be in a room together after such a long enforced break,” said Mickey. “So far everything is sounding promising - some big choruses and strong hooks!

“It’s been a huge challenge for everyone involved in music over the last year. We’re all fingers crossed that in June things will continue to proceed as planned and we can get on with doing some gigs and festivals. I’ve really missed it.”