LEGENDARY Greenock rockers The Luci Baines Band are relishing their homecoming gig next Friday — because they didn’t think they would ever play again.

The chart-toppers reformed in 2016 to mark 20 years since they first got together and brought out their debut single ‘Find a Lil’ Love’.

But little did they know that it would lead to a Christmas number one after the track was re-released by Greenock label Walk Tall Recordings and ended up topping the Official Charts Company’s UK vinyl countdown over the festive season.

The reunion was originally aimed at raising money for charity in memory of a late friend through sales of the record.

But they’ve had such a great time that they’ve continued performing together and are also recording a long-awaited album.

They will be back on stage in Greenock next weekend at The Albany.

Gourock guitarist Will Gallacher said: “The new stuff is sounding great and we’re just about to sign, seal and deliver that.

“That’s another reason why we’re doing The Albany gig, to get funds to complete the album.

“We never thought we would play Greenock again.

“It was a flash in the pan last year for charity.

“But everybody enjoyed it so we thought we’d get out the album that never was.”

They played Party at the Palace in Linlithgow last year and to a packed audience at Broadcast in Glasgow in February.

But the guys — Will, frontman Sami Cushnaghan, guitarist Robert McGovern, drummer Andy Kerr and bass player Kev Ward — have been waiting a long time to perform in Inverclyde again.

Sami said: “We wanted to do something special for our homecoming gig and my cousin owns The Albany so we thought it was the right place for it.”

Greenock DJ and promoter Andrew ‘McD’ McDermid used to manage the band and is still close friends with the guys.

He will be on the decks at The Albany next week and said: “They’re all still good mates and it was karma for them to get number one and now in the spirit of that they want to see how the album will do.”

Supporting The Luci Baines Band will be The Method One in what will be a busy night for guitarist Robert, who plays in both.

McD said: “Having seen them - and The Method One — at Broadcast they were sounding amazing and they’ll be a brilliant at The Albany.

“It’ll be a great night.”

The Luci Baines Band supported by The Method One will play The Albany on Friday July 21.

For tickets and more information visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/thealbany or call 866100.