Ali Al-Hamadi’s brilliant reaction to Stoke City chant and message to Tom Cannon
Ali Al-Hamadi has had Stoke City supporters singing his name since he joined from Ipswich Town on loan in January
Ali Al-Hamadi admits he didn’t have a clue Stoke City supporters were singing his name until a teammate whispered the lyrics into his ear at the end of his debut.
The 23-year-old striker joined on loan from Ipswich Town in January, filling a vacancy left by Tom Cannon, who had been recalled by Leicester from an 11-goal half-season spell to be sold on to Sheffield United for big money.
It was a sore blow to lose Cannon but Al Hamadi scored on his first appearance, against Hull, and his work rate up front sparked Stoke fans to rework Inspiral Carpets’ This Is How It Feels, with a namecheck for Cannon thrown in for good measure.
“It’s great pride as a footballer when people sing your name,” he said ahead of this weekend’s trip to Coventry. “I already felt like a bit of a cult hero. I don’t know why! Maybe it’s the way I play but for whatever reason I’ve always had a decent song from the fans, at Wimbledon and at Ipswich.
I’ve always had a good connection with the fans. I didn’t even know what they were singing until the end of the game. I could hear them singing all game but just thought it was for the team to be honest. I was so focused then when we went over to the fans at full-time I was still clapping not knowing what was going on then someone said, ‘Do you know what they’re singing?’ and then whispered in my ear.
