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The Pukka Pies England Band is the offical supporters band of the England national football team. It has been sponsored by Pukka Pies since 2006.

History
The band first performed at England games in 1996 after the then England manager, Glen Hoddle and head of The Football Association, David Davies, heard them playing for Sheffield Wednesday fans away at Arsenal and invited them to play at England matches. Since then they have not missed a competative England match. The band say that they try to learn a song of the opposition and refuse to play anything controversial such as not playing the Dambusters March when England are playing Germany. One of it's members is entertainer, Bernie Clifton.

The band have also planned to perform at the 2008 Summer Olympics as the "Great Britain Band in Beijing" however they were not permitted to take their instruments into the Birds Nest Stadium. Instead they performed on the streets of Beijing.

Charts
The band have also released The Great Escape theme tune as a single for the 1998 FIFA World Cup and a newer version for UEFA Euro 2000. The original peaked in the UK charts at 46 while the later version did slightly better by peaking at 26.

Criticism
The band have been the subject of criticism, mainly levied at them from fellow England fans. They have been refered to as "horrific" and a Twitter account was set up calling for them to be banned, which quickly gained 500 followers. They have also been considered repetative. Comedian, David Baddiel said "I tire of endless Rule Brittanias and Great Escapes" due to the band's refusal to play Three Lions.

At UEFA Euro 2012, the band were not permitted to perform at England's game against France in the Donbass Arena in Donetsk, Ukraine despite having UEFA approval. The band were permitted to enter the stadium but had their instruments confiscated. However, after an appeal by The FA, the ban was overturned and they were allowed to perform at England's next group game against Sweden.

Discography

 * 1998: The Great Escape
 * 2000: The Great Escape 2000