Wigan band The Lathums raises £4k for Latics with ultra-rare single

The Lathums created just one vinyl copy of their version of the 1968 floor-filler and it has brought in an impressive £4,052.

Fans took up the opportunity to own the only copy of the song that will ever be created in their droves after the group announced it was putting its musical talents towards the drive to help Latics through their current financial plight.

The money is being split between the fan-run community fund to help save the club and the Wigan Athletic Community Trust to enable it to continue its work in the town.

And the campaign has placed The Lathums’ version of The Snake among a select list of sought-after and rare vinyl records which are worth thousands of pounds.

Alex Moore, lead singer and songwriter of The Lathums, said: “What we know about football can be written on the back of a postage stamp, but we’ve learned that it means community, shared history, family and hope.

“The band and I are blown away that over £4,000 can now go towards ensuring fans can believe in a future for the club and the Community Trust gets a little extra help.”

Wigan Athletic’s Head of Community, Tom Flower, said: “We would like to place on record our appreciation to The Lathums for the support their initiative will provide Wigan Athletic Community Trust as we continue to provide vital help to people who need it most in Wigan during these challenging times.”

The Lathums’ record was sold via an online raffle and is now in the hands of one lucky fan who has a truly unique slice of recorded music.

There are no plans for a digital release of The Snake.

The song quickly became a favourite among Northern Soul devotees when it was played at the legendary Wigan Casino club, with The Lathums picking it for a cover version as it is often played at events in the borough such as wedding receptions, christenings and birthday parties.

The Northern Soul scene is also home to one of the most expensive singles in history, Frank Wilson’s soul classic, Do I Love You (Indeed I Do), which sold for £100,000 in July this year.

The Lathums’ version of The Snake sits at the higher end of the year’s most expensive music items, with Discogs saying that at the half-way point this year its list of top sums was topped by the £4,180 one collector paid for a 10-track EP by American hardcore band Negative Approach.

Other eye-catching figures spent on music in recent times include the £13,000 forked out at auction in 2019 for a super-rare pressing of God Save The Queen by the Sex Pistols.

The Lathums have enjoyed a busy autumn with the release of their latest single I See Your Ghost, a debut appearance on iconic BBC music show Later… With Jools Holland and a live stream of a performance at Blackpool Tower.

For more information about the band, search for The Lathums on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here and viewing our offers ..