Wigan band The Lathums announce unique single to help Latics

However, when the group says they are releasing it as a single they truly mean it - as only one vinyl copy of the track will ever be made available.

Music fans and football supporters alike have the chance to get their hands on this unique object through a raffle, with the band ruling out any further releases in future.

The group is keen to do what it can to support the fund-raising, which was set up after Latics dramatically plunged into administration by the former owner.

The Lathums visited the DW Stadium for a video which accompanies the fund-raising efforts and also dropped into a local pub in Springfield to speak to supporters about what the team means to them.

The Lathums singer and songwriter Alex Moore said: “My life isn’t football at all, but I understand how important for my hometown it is to have Wigan Athletic survive.

“It’s not the fans fault, nor that of staff who face a loss of wages or worse, that so many bad decisions are made about who owns and runs football clubs.

“Like music, football makes memories for generations of people, their lives intertwined by the game. Even non-football fans must know how important it is.”

Originally released in 1968, The Snake became a classic on the dancefloor of Wigan’s legendary Northern Soul club Wigan Casino and was chosen by the band as being synonymous with their hometown.

Like many Wiganers it is a song the members of The Lathums have grown up hearing as it is a perennial favourite at events such as christenings, wedding receptions and birthday parties.

However, very few people will get the chance to hear the band’s take on it in full thanks to the ultra-limited production run for the vinyl.

Even the poignant short film, which like the competition to win the seven-inch single is released online today, only contains brief snippets and hints of the song.

The community-driven fund-raising effort set up by the supporters’ club aims to help pay for essential costs while decisions are made about the future of Wigan Athletic and ensure the fans on the terraces have more of a say in the running of the club in the future.

It has been a spectacular success with an incredible figure of more than £668,000 raised and the latest stretch target being set at £750,000.

The Lathums have turned their attention to supporting Latics following a rapid rise through the borough’s music scene.

The group reached number 14 in the UK Album Chart in July for the vinyl release of their compilation EP The Memories We Make.

The band, made up of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Alex Moore, multi-instrumentalist Scott Concepcion, Johnny Cunliffe on bass and Ryan Durrans behind the

drum kit, quote influences such as The Housemartins and The Smiths.

The Lathums are spending the remainder of 2020 in the studio in Liverpool in with producers James Skelly of The Coral fame and Chris Taylor.

They also have a sold-out spring tour scheduled for 2021.

The raffle tickets to win The Lathums’ version of The Snake cost £5 each.

The draw will be made on Monday November 9. To find out more or enter, visit https://shop.thelathums.com/ Raffle

The video can be watched on YouTube and the Wigan Athletic Supporters’ Club’s fund-raiser is online at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-wigan-athletic