NOT many local bands can say they have the support of a Premier League football club.

But Blackburn four-piece Morning Call can.

From this season, the Blackburn Rovers team are running out onto the pitch to the band’s version of the traditional song Wild Rover.

The group — Tony Sharples on lead vocals, Chris “Kip” Dickinson on guitar, Andrew Macauley on keyboard and Carl Elmer on drums — have been in the studio this summer recording the latest version of the club anthem now being sung by thousands of fans every week.

And the lads, all lifelong fans and season ticket holders themselves, say it is like a dream come true.

Last weekend a video of the boys recording Wild Rover was played on the big screen and at this Saturday’s home game against Fulham, the band, who liken themselves to The Killers, will be special guests, assisting with the half-time draw.

The track, and the video of the band recording it, can be downloaded for free from the Rovers website.

With their debut single A Little Late due to be released on October 20, it seems this is only the beginning for Morning Call.

“We are hoping being connected with Rovers will get us even more of a following,” said Carl.

“And it seems to be working already. Our debut single is fourth on the pre-order chart on Amazon.

"We are one behind Oasis and outselling Sugarbabes. It’s insane.”

Morning Call came together late in 2006 and quickly established themselves on the Blackburn scene with gigs around local venues.

Since then, the indie-rock lads have taken their music to the nation.

Snakes and Ladders joined A Little Late with national radio play and the latter was selected by Dave Courtney for his radio show showcasing unsigned bands.

The band have since performed in London, Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds, with many of their loyal following accompanying them, and next year they plan to take their sounds on tour with the hope their debut single and second single, due for release before Christmas, will create more widespread demand.

Carl went on: “We’ve got a very good feeling about the future.

"We are really pleased with the single, so we just hope everyone else likes it. It’s a real test.

"We hope to keep momentum going with our second single being released just a few months later and, of course, the ongoing support from Rovers.

"There are exciting times ahead. We’d like to take the opportunity to thank Rovers, and our friend Mark Jones at MJM Studios, in Oswaldtwistle.

"Mark's done a great job of producing our stuff.”

l Morning Call's debut single A Little Late is set for release on October 20 and is available on iTunes, Amazon and Play.com. Text LATE to 81088 to buy the single now. A launch party is being held at The Bulls Head, Wilpshire, on October 19.