Sheffield Euros: Fanzone party to feature Viv Anderson, Danny Wilson, Tony Currie and Wednesdays' Chris Waddle
You never know - this year might be the one.
The line up of football fans who will join in the fun at Sheffield’s Euro fanzone party this summer has been announced.
As the hype around England's bid to finally win their first major international trophy since 1966 intensifies, organisers of this month’s Euros fan village on Devonshire Green have today confirmed an additional three football legends as special guests.
‘Fan City’ will welcome ex-Sheffield United and England star Tony Currie, Owls star Chris Waddle, former Blades and former Wednesday boss Danny Wilson and player Viv Anderson.
The fanzone will televise all of England's and every game of the tournament on giant screens, and all non-England games will be free-to-enter - including the opening match between Scotland and Germany on June 14, two days before England take on Serbia for their crunch opening game.
In true spirit of the competition, the opening ceremony on Devonshire Green will come complete with German and Scottish themes including German lager, Bratwurst, bagpipes and Buckfast to kick-start a month long programme of live football, music and football punditry from the legends.
Poised to join the already confirmed to join Chris Waddle on stage for England's games at Fan City, Tony Currie needs little introduction to football fans in South Yorkshire.
Currie, who had spells at Queens Park Rangers, Chelsea and Leeds Utd, holds the city of Sheffield close to his heart.
After a transfer to Sheffield United in 1968, Tony scored on his debut and immediately became a favourite with loyal fans. ‘TC’ as he was affectionately nicknamed, became strongly idolised at Bramall Lane, scoring 54 goals in 313 appearances as well as obtaining captaincy of the side in 1974.
An England International, Currie made 17 appearances for his country including a World Cup qualifier against Poland.
Viv Anderson began his professional football career in 1974 with Nottingham Forest, where, as a fullback, he quickly showed his talent for winning the ball both on the ground and in the air and for supporting in attack. He was a fixture on the talented Forest teams that won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1979 and 1980 and enjoyed a successful time at Sheffield Wednesday and later became boss of Barnsley. In his career, Anderson earned 30 caps for playing on England’s national team.
Meanwhile Danny Wilson completes the legends line-up. Wilson can count himself among a select band of Lancastrians to have won the hard-earned respect of those from the other side of the Roses sporting divide. The Wigan born former pro enjoyed spells as manager of both Sheffield clubs and had a rollercoaster ride with Barnsley in the Premier League in the 1990s.
Tony Currie said: “I might be from London, but I'll always love the people of Sheffield. They've been amazing to me over the years and I can't wait to come to Devonshire Green next week for this fanzone and hopefully see England do the business once and for all.”
Fellow guest speaker and England icon Chris Waddle said: “Fan villages like this are like a New Year’s Eve party. People just enjoy it, it's a lot of fun and there is loads going on, if you enjoy your football, you enjoy a party, then why miss it!’
“We have a great chance, when you talk about teams that could win this tournament, you talk about England in that conversation, for sure.”
A food village with street food and a range of drinks from beers to signature cocktails will also be on offer.
Fan City will also be teaming up with vintage clothing store Glass Onion to launch a ‘rare football shirt exhibition’ at their Division Street store from June 11 at 10am.
Chris Waddle will also be in-store on June 16 to sign an England shirt, which will be given away in a competition.
Ticket holders for Fan City match viewing events can also enjoy 20 per cent off all clothes at Glass Onion throughout the tournament by presenting their ticket in-store at the till (offer ends July 14).