Make Carpets magic this festive season

SUPPORT . . . Latics fans back the campaign

A BID to see Inspiral Carpets top the charts this Christmas in memory of drummer Craig Gill was welcomed across Oldham this weekend.

Chadderton-raised Gill was 44 when he died last month and fans are eager to see the band's classic "Saturn 5" become Christmas No 1 in his honour.

The appeal, started by Gill's lifelong friend Rob McCoy, is now officially live and supporters are being urged to download the single before Friday.

Rob said: "This is a fan-led campaign so that we can honour Craig Gill and put him and the band at the top of the charts, for him, for them and their families. That's all it's about. Not about royalties. We are not corporate people pushing for a song for financial gain. We are fans doing our own promotion asking music fans nationwide to help give Craig's family some comfort this Christmas time."

The appeal made it to Latics' SportDirect.com Park on Saturday where the song and other Inspiral Carpets hits were played at half time in the League One clash with Southend United.

A banner featuring the appeal was also displayed in the stand by supporters as the players walked out on to the pitch and during half time.

Supporter Ryan Green said: "I think it is very important to be a part of the Saturn 5 campaign so that younger people will hear about a great local band and be able to listen to some amazing music ­- which far outweighs today's chart music.

"It is also important to appreciate what Craig Gill and Inspiral Carpets brought to the area and to fans all over the world."

A launch party for the campaign was also held at Tokyo Project in Oldham Town Centre on Friday with a further indie-themed event to honour Gill at Jojo Bar on Sunday.

Metrolink joined in the campaign last week and included a plug for the Christmas No 1 bid on its digital displays at tram stops across Greater Manchester.

For more about the campaign and to download the single visitgetsaturn5toxmasno1.co.uk.