IT’S an iconic football anthem and has been re-recorded for Euro 2020 for the NHS.

But many may not realise that footie favourite Vindaloo - which has been bellowed by fans for the last 23 years - has several Cotswold connections.

In fact this raucous chant - which will no doubt be heard up and down the country this weekend - was written by rock star turned cheesemaker Alex James, who lives at Kingham near Stow-on-the-Wold - and pal Keith Allen, the actor who lives at the other side of the district in Minchinhampton.

The pair penned the song with composer Guy Pratt in 1998 for the World Cup in France.

Originally written as a parody of football chants, the song became adopted as one in its own right and is now a cult classic, sung on the terraces before every big England game.

Recorded by Fat Les - featuring James, Allen and band mate Turner prize winning artist Damien Hirst, who has a studio in Stroud - the track hit the dizzy heights of No.2 in the UK charts.

Alex James, who hosts The Big Feastival at his country pile, Churchill Heath Farm near Kingham, told the Press Association: “We wrote it in 15 minutes. It was just me and Keith in a sweaty room. We got a record deal the next day.

“It’s stupid enough to be memorable.”

The original music video was a parody of The Verve’s Bitter Sweet Symphony and featured comedian Paul Kaye walking through Hoxton in the East End of London, flanked by celebrities including Matt Lucas, David Walliams, plus a very young Lily and Alfie Allen.

Now Together for England, featuring Will Mellor, Danny Dyer, Keith Lemon and Bez, have released a new version of Vindaloo for the Euros in aid of the NHS.

And Keith Allen, who lives in Minchinhampton, appears on the track too, playing the bass.

The father of pop star Lily Allen, told the PA news agency he was not surprised by the song's longevity.

He said: “Vindaloo captures that unique England sense of humour.

“And the video certainly captures that.

“It is very quintessentially English and I think people like that.”

Allen, who also co-wrote New Order’s chart-topping 1990 World Cup anthem World In Motion, said Gareth Southgate’s team could “definitely” win the Euros.

Now Together for England's version of Vindaloo is available to download on iTunes and stream on Spotify.

England face Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday at 8pm, at Wembley.

The Big Feastival will take place on Alex James' farm in the Cotswolds from August 27 to August 29. See: thebigfeastival.com/