A weekly newspaper’s front page homage to football anthem Three Lions has caught the eye of the song’s co-writer David Baddiel.

Reading Today parodied the lyrics of the 1996 hit single after the Berkshire town lost out on its bid for city status for a second time, having previously applied for it in 2000.

The paper ran with the headline ’22 years of hurt never, never stopped us dreaming’ on Wednesday, a reference to the ’30 years of hurt’ line in the song.

It also referred to “one lion in Forbury’, a statue and Reading landmark, as well as local bar The Purple Turtle.

The splash, pictured above, caught the eye of Mr Baddiel, who co-wrote and performed the song with Frank Skinner and The Lightning Seeds.

Sharing a picture on Twitter, he asked: “Is ‘Purple Turtle still gleaming’ a euphemism?” In response, editor Phil Creighton offered to buy the comedian a pint at the pub.

Speaking to HTFP, Phil said: “Like most people in Reading, we were disappointed to learn that our town’s bid for city status was turned down for the fourth time – and on the day that the annual Pride of Reading awards were launched, to which we are the media partner.

“I was a cub reporter back in the days of the first bid, but remember it well. People who live here have great affection for ‘The Ding’.

“The council leader, Jason Brock, describes Reading as a little big town. By that he means it’s a great, interconnected community despite our size. And it is.

“I came here for university, fell in love with the place and never left. Maybe I’m easily pleased, but it’s a pretty good place to live.

“We wanted to sum up the news in a way that reflected this, and our eternal optimism that next time will be the time we get city status.

“The front page riffs on Skinner and Baddiel’s famous song. It might not have got everyone singing, but it’s certainly got people talking, including David Baddiel himself.”