<p><br /> A group of virtual unknowns championed on Twitter by Stephen Fry will battle it out with chart star Lily Allen for a top songwriting award.<br /> </p><p><br /> Patch William - formed by four ex-Bristol University students - are nominated for 'best song musically and lyrically' at this year's Ivor Novello Awards.<br /> </p><p><br /> Allen and grime star Dizzee Rascal lead the way with two nods each.<br /> </p><p><br /> The Leisure Society are nominated for a second year running, last year they were recognised despite being unpublished musicians, while the band's songwriter/guitarist Nick Hemming worked in a warehouse.<br /> </p><p><br /> Patch William - up against Lily's track The Fear and Leisure Society's Save It For Someone Who Cares - have been nominated for their track The Last Bus, released as a single this week.<br /> </p><p><br /> The group said: "We are a relatively unknown band on an independent label. When we recently signed with Chrysalis Music, we looked starry-eyed at the two Ivor Novello statues at the entrance. Not in our wildest dreams did we imagine that we'd be nominated."<br /> </p>
