Former Oasis drummer Tony McCarroll believes preparations for reunion of the band – perhaps with him on the kit – are in process.

Rumours abound in Manchester that T-shirts are being printed commemorating the 20th anniversary of the release of debut album Definitely Maybe and that Heaton Park – the site of The Stone Roses recent comeback shows – has been booked.

“It’s something they should really do,” McCarroll says, speaking to The Guide from Manchester.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if wheels are already in motion. Every day I hear different things up here. I’ve heard T-shirts have been ordered and Heaton Park has been booked, so you never know. But then you never know what to believe until you hear it from the horse’s mouth.”

He’s certain Liam would do it. The problem will be Noel, who sacked McCarroll from the band before going on to record the decade-defining (What’s The Story) Morning Glory in 1995.

Only last week, Noel gave an interview to Rolling Stone magazine and said, “If there is a reunion, I won’t be in it.”

But former Oasis manager Alan McGee told the BBC, “Yeah, I think they’ll come back at some point. I don’t think it’s going to be next year or anything. If they get back together I’m sure it would be for a megabucks tour.”

For McCarroll, the problem has always been Noel.

“He did need to mellow a bit. He has now. For my sake I wish it had come a bit earlier. “For me there was no reason to be like that. An argument that had got f*** all to do with music was attributed to my end really, which was wrong.

“That is the only thing I can think. I had an argument with him about two weeks before. I just got sick of listening to things and I fronted it off one day and it was probably the worst thing I ever did in my life.”

McCarroll sued the band and Creation Records in 1999 for £18m but accepted an out-of-court settlement of £600,000.

He doesn’t rule out further legal action – “there was another angle to go at” – yet believes the original Definitely Maybe five-piece could settle their differences.

Reunion rumours

“Look at Happy Mondays – there are legal tanglings and wranglings there too. Then, lo and behold, they’re back together. If there is going to be a Definitely Maybe tour then it should be the original line-up.”

It sounds like a come-get-me plea from McCarroll.

“I’d be honoured to do it. If I’m not invited, I really do hope they do it anyway for the sake of the fans.”

After the Gallagher brothers fought before the Rock en Seine festival in Paris, Oasis split in 2009. Since then, Noel has concentrated on his High Flying Birds and Liam on Beady Eye.

“It ended badly,” says McCarroll. “So there was no full stop. There has got to be something else to come out of that. I really wouldn’t be surprised if they do reform, do a couple of tours and maybe there might be a record out of it.”

But are the feuding brothers really going to want McCarroll back?

“Worse things have happened... the original line-up is pure hardcore Oasis, without a doubt. We developed that sound. We never told each other what to do or what to play. Whereas when you get another musician coming in he is emanating someone else.”

So where does the forgotten drummer from the most popular – biggest selling – British band of the last 20 years find himself today?

He’s a partner in a utility firm. He is getting into property. He’s just got back from Ireland where he is investing in some land. He’s still playing music, though not in a group.

“I’m still playing drums. I don’t think I’ll ever stop doing that. I’m not in a band but I keep my hand in. Got the drums set up at home. I get an iPod on and I’m at Wembley.”

Who does he play along to?

“It’s always about drummers. Steve White. Lot of Oasis stuff I suppose. Ocean Colour Scene, the more energetic stuff. “ Surely it must be strange playing to Oasis?

“No,” he says, in thick nasal Mancunian. “I appreciate the tunes.”

  • Tony McCarroll will be talking about his time in Oasis with Stuart Deabill, co-author of new fanbook, Supersonic (Personal Situations with Oasis)
  • Oasis book signing and an audience with Tony McCarroll at Hotel Pelirocco, Regency Square, Brighton, on Friday, November 29
  • Starts at 6pm, tickets £8. Call 07958 587756 or visit www.wegottickets.com/event/244072