"Thursday Nights, Channel 5" is an Englishfootball chant to the tune of "Tom Hark". It is mainly sung to antagonise supporters of the other team for playing in or dropping into theUEFA Europa League which, until 2012, was carried domestically onChannel 5, with the prime league slot on Thursday evenings.[1]
Channel 5 first gained the rights to show UEFA Cup matches in 2008, to commence from 2009 to 2010 (when the competition was rebranded the Europa League) for three seasons.[2] Since then, the chant developed and is used to insinuate that the team it is aimed at is playing in a less prestigious competition to theUEFA Champions League.[3] In 2012, Channel 5 did not renew the rights deal to show the Europa League, which then went toESPN (now owned byBT Sport) andITV4 from the 2012–13 season.[4]
The chant has been directed at clubs such asLiverpool andTottenham Hotspur for playing in the Europa League instead of the Champions League.[3][5]
Before a Europa League match betweenFulham andOdense,Football on 5 presentersJim Rosenthal andStan Collymore were broadcast singing the chant during a highlights montage.[6] Until then, the chant was perceived as having negative connotations towards Channel 5.[7]
In 2011,Chelsea defenderAshley Cole shouted "Thursday night, Channel 5" atManchester City players after Manchester City were knocked out of the Champions League, which almost provoked a fight in theStamford Bridge tunnel.[8]
The chant has also been considered an insult to opposing fans.[9]Manchester United playerPatrice Evra was said to be embarrassed by the chant's statement of Manchester United playing in the2011–12 UEFA Europa League.[10]