Madness headline Superleague Grand
Final entertainment

Legendary British pop band Madness will headline the pre-match entertainment at the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, Manchester (October 15 2005, ko 6pm).

Madness, who enjoyed a string of huge hits in the 80s with classics such as Baggy Trousers and House of Fun, will perform current and classic material in the build-up to the kick-off of the title deciding showpiece.

The group ? who recently released a new album titled Madness : The Dangermen Sessions - will create the perfect musical backdrop with their blend of fun and energy as supporters await the on-field action.

The pre-match entertainment will also feature a special parade celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Super League competition. Players who have taken part in all previous 10 seasons of Super League will be presented to the crowd. The parade will also honour the four clubs who have previously won the Super League Championship in the first 10 years of the League.

And in the final moments before the teams walk out, the award-winning Yorkshire-born Lesley Garrett will sing a special arrangement of the hymn Jerusalem - the traditional anthem of the Super League Grand Final.

She regularly appears in both opera, in concert and on television and has won massive critical acclaim as a recording artist; she also has 11 solo CDs to her credit.

And Lesley Garrett says she is already looking forward to performing a song which she believes is highly appropriate for a major sporting occasion: ?Jerusalem for me is most associated with sport and music and the very best situation in which to sing it is in front of 65,500 people waiting for kick-off!?

She added: ?It?s a song I have sung for many years and I particularly love this arrangement with the drums because it gives it such extra power and excitement.

?I am thrilled to be singing it for this special engage Super League Grand Final and I know just what an exciting and emotional day it will be for everyone!?

Commenting on the pre-match entertainment programme, the RFL?s Community Marketing Manager Adam Jude said: ?We have a great tradition of securing high profile performers for the title decider at Old Trafford and it is fitting that we have not one but two tremendous acts at this year?s engage Super League Grand Final.

?The whole event will be a superb family sporting experience. Not only will the engage Super League championship be up for grabs but there will be so much to see and do. Super League?s 10th anniversary celebrations will also be a major part of the build-up to kick-off and should not be missed.?

In addition to the high profile performers, supporters attending the engage Super League Grand Final will be able to savour a superb sporting family experience including:

? A pitch-side parade of engage Super League club mascots.

? A chance to enjoy the engage Super League Family Zone ? a marquee offering hot food and family entertainment (Admission to this marquee is just ?3 and tickets are available in advance from RL Events).

? The Powergen Rugby League Skills Zone ? an interactive area where young people can experience Rugby League skills in a safe and fun way.

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Thanks to www.superleague.co.uk for this article.