SHAKIN' STEVENS IS COMING HOME FOR THE SALVATION ARMY

Download Shaky's masterful re-work of a Christmas Classic - and support the Salvation Army

Cardiff City Football Club is delighted to announce that platinum-selling music icon, Shakin’ Stevens will be at Cardiff City Stadium ahead of the Bluebirds’ home clash with Brentford on Tuesday, 15th December.

In conjunction with – and in support of  - The Salvation Army, Cardiff-born Shaky will take to the Cardiff City Stadium turf ahead of our pre-Christmas fixture to introduce his charity single – ‘Echoes Of Merry Christmas Everyone’. The song's video will be played on our two Stadium jumbotrons pre-match and via the TV Network over the course of the evening.

The single is a reworking of the 1985 No.1 classic, ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’, and celebrates its thirtieth anniversary.  This new version adopts a folk-rock feel in line with some of the tracks on Shaky’s new album, due out in 2016.

Since the late 1800s, members of Shaky’s family have been Salvationists. As a tribute to his roots and in support of the charitable cause, proceeds from the sale of  ‘Echoes Of Merry Christmas Everyone’ will be donated to The Salvation Army, this year celebrating their 150th anniversary.

Having been born in Cardiff and grown up in Ely, two of Shaky's brothers - Freddie and Jimmy Barratt - took to football whilst their younger brother would go on to pursue the musical path. Freddie and Jimmy are pictured below (Freddie, centre, goalkeeper; Jimmy holding the ball second from right), representing Ely United in the 1947/48 season. Jimmy was asked to trial for Cardiff City, although family commitments prevented him from taking up the offer.



The Salvation Army feature in the 'Echoes' video, and will have a presence around Cardiff City Stadium ahead of the game. Shakin' Stevens spoke exclusively to Cardiff City Player HD ahead of his visit to CCS, and said: "The Salvation Army are fighting against the growing scourge of modern slavery and human trafficking, providing refuge for those suffering from domestic abuse, giving food and shelter to the homeless, supporting older members of the community, and providing relief during major disasters."

Julius Wolff-Ingham - Head of Marketing & Fundraising The Salvation Army- added: "The Salvation Army has really enjoyed working with Shaky on the video. We're delighted to have had the opportunity to share with everyone the important, caring, practical work we do, showing how we put our beliefs into action."

Listen out for ‘Echoes Of Merry Christmas Everyone’ throughout this festive period on all Cardiff City FC digital channels – and remember, take to your seats early ahead of the Brentford kick-off to catch one of the icons of British music!

TO DOWNLOAD ECHOES AND SUPPORT THE SALVATION ARMY, CLICK ON THE iTUNES LINK BELOW: