Let's make 'Saturn 5' a festive chart-topper

NOW CHART STARS . . . the Carpets in May, 1993. Left to right are Graham, Martyn, Tom, Craig and Craig.

CHADDERTON lad and lifelong pal Rob McCoy has launched a campaign to get Inspiral Carpets hit 'Saturn 5' to the Christmas top spot in the charts, in memory of Craig Gill.

The Facebook group 'Saturn 5 for Christmas number one in honour of Craig Gill' now has well over 20,000 members and tributes continue to pour onto the timeline.

Rob is now encouraging everyone to buy the song from official music download sites, such as iTunes and Amazon, between December 16 and December 22.

Since 2014, audio streams (drawn from Spotify, Deezer, Napster, O2 Tracks, Xbox Music, Sony Unlimited, and Rara) have also counted towards chart position, with 100 streams equal to a single purchase.

Rob said: "A group of us are now working hard on the campaign, working out the best way to try and build up membership, and new followers on Twitter, with the aim of getting as many people as possible to stream and then download 'Saturn 5' (the Carpets' biggest chart hit from 1994).

"We all loved Craig so much and this terrible news came as such a huge shock.

"He was one of our group of mates in Chadderton as a kid, and he was just one of the lads who made it big.

"He never forgot his roots and he always came to talk to us and the rest of the fans after gigs and when he was out and about. Everyone will miss him terribly."

A JustGiving page has also been set up by Tokyo's in Oldham - where Craig DJ'd so many times - following all the requests from fans, friends and family.

All proceeds will be donated to Craig's family.

Meanwhile, tears could well flow this Saturday at the Stein Bier Keller at Tokyo's as the UK's top Arctic Monkeys tribute band - the Desert Monkeys - take to the stage at 10pm at the Roscoe Street venue.

That's the time Craig was scheduled to have begun his DJ set at the event, which is sure to be packed.

Now, in their own tribute and what will surely be a hugely popular one with all inside the venue, the Desert Monkeys will play the Inspirals' biggest hit - 'Saturn 5' - to truly kick-off what will hopefully be a night to remember.

CRAIG was a huge fan of Manchester City FC, and City fans are taking a banner "#GETSATURN5TOXMASNO1" into the home game against Chelsea on Saturday.

Club officials have agreed to play 'Saturn 5' at half time as the teams walk off the pitch so it is picked up on TV.

The banner is then going to United fans, who will display it at the Stretford End during their game against Tottenham on December 11.

Finally, following the postponement of the game against Peterborough on Saturday, Athletic fans will then display the banner during the next home match - against Southend - on December 17.