Newcastle United to debut iconic St James' Park 'world exclusive'

St James' Park is set to unveil a world exclusive by playing the first recording of the iconic 'Going Home' (Local Hero) re-release by Mark Knopfler and some of the world's greatest musicians of all time.

Forty-one years after it was first released in 1983, 'Local Hero' has now been re-recorded by Mark Knopfler's Guitar Heroes which includes Geordie royalty Sting and Sam Fender, along with an incredible lineup of over 60 musicians including Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey, Brian May, Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Pete Townshend and Ronnie Wood.

Synonymous with matchdays at Newcastle United, the re-recording will raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America.

And Geordies will be able to hear the multi-collaboration for the first time when United take to the pitch ahead of the clash against Wolves at St James' Park on Saturday 2 March. Mark Knopfler and guests will be pitchside to discuss the recording.

Commenting ahead of the re-release, Mark Knopfler said: “What I really want to do, more than anything else, is just to thank each and every one for this sterling response. I really had no idea that it was going to be like this. It hit Guy (Fletcher) and I quite early on that we had to extend this piece somehow, to take in the number of people who joined in.

“Before I knew where I was, Pete Townshend had come into my studio armed with a guitar and an amp. And that first Pete power chord...man, I tell you. We were in that territory, and it was just fantastic. And it went on from there. Eric [Clapton] came in, played great, just one tasty lick after another. Then Jeff Beck’s contribution arrived and that was spellbinding. I think what we’ve had is an embarrassment of riches, really. The whole thing was a high point.”

Newcastle United Defender and lifelong fan, Dan Burn, added: “Local Hero has been a song that I’ve listened to all my life and means so much to me on so many levels, whether as a fan or player.

“When I was young my dad used to play ‘Local Hero’ at breakfast and it instantly made me think of St. James’ Park and the excitement of going to games. Whenever I hear the song it has so many memories from seeing huge wins and European nights under Sir Bobby Robson, to now, being able to walk out to the iconic anthem is a ‘pinch me’ moment every time. I know what this song means to people in the region and everybody will be buzzing to hear the version.”

The film Local Hero was released in 1983 and was Mark Knopfler’s first credit as a film composer, earning him a BAFTA nomination. Held with high affection on Tyneside, ‘Local Hero’ has been the anthem of Newcastle United, welcoming the team onto the St. James’ Park pitch since the early 1990s.

The newly recorded version predominantly took place at British Grove Studios, in West London, often with the great musicians in person, with some recordings sent from their own studios around the world. The first recordings started with Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton and Albert Lee.

Fans can purchase the ‘Local Hero’ track both in physical format, which will be available on CD, 12” with etched b-side and deluxe CD+BluRay, including sleeve notes by Paul Sexton, and digital formats which include a Dolby Atmos mix.

Net proceeds from the track will be donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust and the US equivalent, Teen Cancer America. For more information on the charity’s work and how to donate, please visit www.teenagecancertrust.org