Bradford band Embrace's World Cup anthem has received a mixed reaction in the group's home town.

The song, called World at your Feet, was played to radio audiences across the United Kingdom for the first time yesterday and picked up by TV programmes and websites.

The initial reaction from many critics and fans was muted, but the band hope it will be their first number one single when it is released in June.

The quintet, who originally come from Wyke and Brighouse, were chosen to record the World Cup official record last month.

The store manager at HMV records in Broadway, Bradford, Michelle Federicks, said they are expecting massive sales of the single.

"The whole HMV chain is going to get right behind it but we will be making extra special efforts in Bradford because of the band's roots," she said.

"We will be giving it maximum exposure up to and throughout the World Cup with window displays and playing it in store for customers."

The song will not be on general release until June 5 but HMV expects the record to reach number one in pre-sales and downloads before then.

"I think the record company will probably make it available on downloads first and this in itself will be enough to take it to the top position in the charts," she said.

"We expect particularly strong sales in our area but obviously a lot of its success will depend on how England perform in the World Cup."

The anthem, with the catchy chorus: "With the world at your feet/There's no one you can't beat/Yes it can be done/With the world at your feet" will be performed by the band on TV for the first time on Match of the Day 2 tomorrow.

A spokesman for Embrace said they will be extremely busy over the next couple of days promoting the record and would not be available to comment on its reaction from fans and critics.

The band were first tipped for success in the pages of the Telegraph and Argus when they won the "demo of the month" competition months before they signed a record deal in 1996.

They went on to do a world tour and have had three number one albums.

e-mail: jennifer.sugden@bradford.newsquest.co.uk Mathew Farrell, 19, works at Asda in Shipley and lives in Baildon. He said he likes the song. "I think it's good. I don't really like their music usually but this one is really good and I think it's a great tune for the World Cup. It will get everyone excited for matches because it's catchy."

Chris Dyson, 38, of Barkerend Road said he was disappointed with the World Cup anthem. "I think it's one of the worst ones ever. It's terrible. It's not upbeat enough and I can't image it getting me going during the World Cup. I am very disappointed, particularly as the band comes from our area."

Amy Hillas, 24, a PA from Denholme, was at the Embrace gig in Halifax on Monday. "They are a brilliant band and I am well on the way to becoming a big fan. I'm not a big football fan but I will be watching the World Cup and cheering England on. I will definitely be singing along too."

Karl Hodgson, 24, works for Bradford Council and lives in Baildon. He is already a fan of the band. "The new single is not too different from their usual stuff so as a fan I like it. I will be buying it but only if they put it on the album."

Marie Cousins, 41, of Undercliffe is a student at Bradford University. "I haven't heard the song but I will definitely be supporting them now I know they are from this area."

Anthony Squires, 18, is an engineer and lives in Low Moor. "I heard it on the radio for the first time. I think it's good and I would buy it. I didn't know the band were from round here though. That's even better."