Northern Ireland

Questions as loyalist flute band marches through grounds of Anfield

Glendermott Valley Flute Band from near Derry were filmed parading in the grounds of Liverpool FC

Video footage emerged of the Glendermott Valley Flute band parading through the grounds of Anfield on Friday.
Video footage emerged of the Glendermott Valley Flute band parading through the grounds of Anfield on Friday.

QUESTIONS have been raised after a loyalist flute band marched through the grounds of Liverpool Football Club.

Video footage emerged of Glendermott Valley Flute Band, based in the Tullyally area near Derry, passing through the gates of Anfield on Friday while playing an instrumental version of the `Billy Boys’.

The song has previously been banned at Scottish football grounds and at Linfield matches in Northern Ireland for a version of the tune with the lyrics “up to our knees in fenian blood”.

A spokesperson for the Apprentice Boys told The Irish News they were not formally associated with Glendermott Valley Flute Band and the organisation had nothing to do with any decision to parade through Anfield.



The Glendermott band was being hosted for a weekend of events by The Apprentice Boys of Derry Liverpool Campsie Club, who posted footage of the parade on social media.

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Both organisations and Liverpool Football Club have been contacted for a response about the incident.

The footage has prompted some criticism on social media, with many calling for Liverpool Football Club to comment, including one person on X questioning how “anti-Catholic music” was allowed to be played on the club grounds.