Songs of Praise needs a Villa fan to sing at FA Cup Final

A once in a lifetime chance to sing on the pitch at Wembley before the FA Cup Final: Entries open today for the Songs of Praise FA Cup Fans Choir.

Ever wanted to stand on the pitch at Wembley for the FA Cup final and sing your heart out? Well now is your chance.

As part of the BBC’s FA Cup programming Songs Of Praise has teamed up with BBC Sport to offer football fans the unique chance to be in the Songs Of Praise FA Cup Fans Choir. The choir will sing Abide With Me, backed by the FA Cup Final military band in front of 90,000 people on the hallowed ground on Saturday 30 May. Entries open today at bbc.co.uk/songsofpraise

First sung at the FA Cup Final in 1927 and a constant fixture ever since, Abide with Me has featured in a number of ways in the pre‐match build up over the years. Originally a conductor, nicknamed 'the man in white' led community singing. In recent years a single celebrity singer has performed the song.

At the final in 2015, the BBC’s Songs of Praise team are putting together a choir with one fan representing each of the 64 teams who’ve made it to this year’s third round.

David Taviner, Songs of Praise Executive Producer, says: “The chance to sing at Wembley is a dream come true for any football fan, and I’m delighted that Songs Of Praise are teaming up with The FA to offer this opportunity. The performance of Abide With Me is such an iconic moment in FA Cup final day and to be a part of that, at Wembley, in front of 90,000 people, live on BBC One would be something very special indeed.”

They normally get a fit bird in to sing it

Ask any football fan their favourite FA Cup memory and they’ll come to life, so to be part of the choir Songs of Praise are looking for great FA Cup stories, the winners to be judged by a panel. No singing experience is necessary! Applicants need to visit bbc.co.uk/songsofpraise where there is all the information on how to enter and the terms and conditions.

Songs of Praise is looking for stories that reflect the personal memories and passion of the cup from every level of the game. Maybe witnessing giant killings, perhaps the first time your non- league team made the third round or the first time you were in the final with tales of great players, key moments, unforgettable goals and family anecdotes.

The competition opens today on 17 January 2015 and closes on 7 March.

A panel of judges from the worlds of football, music and journalism will read the best five stories representing each club and pick a winner. Winners will be notified mid-April. There will be a singing lesson and rehearsal before the big day.

Full entry details and terms and conditions can be found at bbc.co.uk/songsofpraise