Mark Bowness caught up with Ian Broudie of The Lightning Seeds ahead of their summer gig at the Ilkley Open Beyond the Baseline event.

It’s hard to believe 30 years have passed since that unforgettable summer of ’96.

The sun was shining, the nation went football crazy and one song dominated the airwaves, the terraces and every household across the country.

Three Lions was the song that broke the mould when it comes to football anthems and its popularity and longevity is testament to the brilliance of the man who wrote it.

Ian Broudie, the front man of The Lightning Seeds and mastermind behind the lyrics looks back on that time with fond memories but admits it was a song that very nearly didn’t happen after the FA tried to pull the plug on it.

Speaking ahead of the band’s gig at the ILTSC Beyond the Baseline event, Broudie said: “It’s amazing to think it was 30 years ago and nobody could have anticipated its popularity and that it would still be getting played as much as ever.

“I think the FA back then wanted all the England players singing the song as in previous years but we were determined to do something different and come at it from a different angle. They didn’t like that and it was only when we threatened to bring it out independently  they quickly backed down and gave it the green light.”

Despite being uncomfortable, for many years, with his involvement in that song – which also featured David Baddiel and Frank Skinner –  Broudie admits he has now made peace with it and he says that along with his first Lightning Seeds hit Pure, it will be a song that ultimately defines him.

He said: “The 90s was a fantastic time to be about musically and I’m proud that we were a small chapter of that era. Pure will always be my favourite song because it was the best song I think I ever wrote and the first for the band but Three Lions is undoubtedly a song that will always be a big part of my story.”

Another huge hit for the band in 1992 was Life of Riley, a song written by Broudie about his yet-to-be-born son and one that gained further popularity when it was used on Match of the Day for their goal of the month segment throughout the 90s.

The fact Riley himself went on to become a guitarist in the band and now regularly performs alongside his dad on stage whilst also managing them, is something not lost on Ian who says it is the most perfect outcome.

He said: “That was and always will be the best surprise in my career and to have Riley alongside me and him being such a big part of the band really is a beautiful thing.”

Now a grandfather, Ian is showing no signs of slowing down  and at 67 says he has never enjoyed playing live as much as does today and can’t wait to play Ilkley for the first time.

He said: “Despite getting older, I am loving playing gigs now more than I’ve ever done. It’s a different era but there is a lot of affection when we play now and you can feel it from the crowds. It takes them back to a special time in their life because that’s what music does and I’m grateful to be still writing, performing and getting as much pleasure out of music as I’ve ever done.”

As for England having failed once again this summer to bring home the World Cup, Ian remains an ever-hopeful optimist.

He joked: “It’s the hope that kills you but I’m sure it will happen one of these days! It would be lovely to finally bring it home but I haven’t got time to be waiting about another 60 years!”