Mike Brady’s “Up There Cazaly”: The Anthem’s Journey from AFL to Derby County F.C.

The iconic Australian anthem “Up There Cazaly,” penned by musician Mike Brady, has had a storied journey since its inception in 1979. Originally created to promote Channel 7‘s coverage of the Victorian Football League (VFL), now the Australian Football League (AFL), the song captures the essence of Australian sport. It is synonymous with the AFL Grand Final, where it continues to reverberate through the crowds, igniting passion and nostalgia among fans.

In a recent interview on the 6PR Breakfast show with hosts Millsy and Karl, Brady expressed his delight in performing at over 20 AFL Grand Finals. “I just enjoy the spectacle. I look at the stand and see all the people up there in their colours, and it’s a happy day,” he stated.

However, Brady’s creation has also found its way across the globe, being adapted by England’s Derby County football club, much to the surprise of Australian fans. During a segment on Sunrise, Brady recounted how the song was adopted by the club, albeit initially without proper credit. The club modified the original lyrics to “Steve Bloomer’s Watching,” a nod to their legendary player and manager.

This unauthorized use of “Up There Cazaly” resulted in some friction as Derby County had listed the original composer as “unknown.” “It was a while ago, but it still grates a little bit because they’ve used it for a long time,” said Brady.

Despite the initial oversight, Brady confirmed that the issue had been resolved amicably, with Derby County eventually compensating him for the use of the song. “I’m not a bad bush lawyer these days and I protect my song’s rights because it’s all I’ve got to live on,” he remarked regarding the settlement process.

Brady’s steadfast determination ensured that he retained rights to his iconic work while continuing to receive due royalties from Derby County’s use of the song. “It wasn’t a huge amount, it was token but they do pay a bit for playing it at the stadium every time,” he explained.

Mike Brady is set to perform “Up There Cazaly” once more at the upcoming AFL Grand Final in Melbourne’s Federation Square, a testament to the song’s enduring legacy in Australian sports culture.