The Beatles and Everton Football Club

Rob, though it didn’t seem as though any of them really seemed to care much about football, John Lennon apparently harboured childhood dreams of playing for Liverpool, while Pete Best is solidly Blue.

As far as Sir Paul goes, in addition to his appearance at the 1968 FA Cup Final, he has, in the past few years, established his Blue credentials based on his father’s allegiance to Everton.

In an interview with The Observer, he says that both clubs have a place in his heart but if it came down to it, it would have to be Everton:

"Here’s the deal: my father was born in Everton, my family are officially Evertonians, so if it comes down to a derby match or an FA Cup final between the two, I would have to support Everton.

"But after a concert at Wembley Arena I got a bit of a friendship with Kenny Dalglish, who had been to the gig and I thought ’You know what? I am just going to support them both because it’s all Liverpool and I don’t have that Catholic-Protestant thing.

"So I did have to get special dispensation from the Pope to do this but that’s it, too bad. I support them both.

"They are both great teams.

"But if it comes to the crunch, I’m Evertonian."

Cue the questions about why doesn't he pour investment in etc. in 3.... 2....

1 - so why no investment?

There was a George Harrison that played for Everton, a George Martin too - but I think it's unlikely that there's a Beatle connection there.

You have to remember the Beatles were like loads of acts from Liverpool at that time in that once they made a name for themselves it was " off down South " and trade in on the accent !!!
The fucking worlds worse was Tarbuck and Cilla Black - and she's still at it !!
Money and music were far more important to them than footy. Pity but that the way it was.

It seems amazing that 4 males from this area were just not that interested in football. Incredible but seemingly true.

The eccentricity of being a Genius?

John Keating, Cilla has not gone down south, she plays up front for the RS

I've thought for years that BK should get Macca on the 'phone and propose building the Sir Paul McCartney Stadium.

He must be sick as a pig that our airport is named after John Lennon!

I can imagine it now: Evertonians from around the world wearing mop-top wigs at the match; "Happiness is a Warm Gun" playing over the PA system (a subtle dig at OFM); BK wearing a tight black suit and pencil tie and reminiscing about nights at The Cavern in his youth.

At half time you could have a 'Sgt. Pepper(ered) Steak Slice' before you Get Back to your seat.

Seriously though, a direct association with The Beatles would raise our clubs profile massively."Oi, Macca...!"

Both Jimmy Tarbuck and Cilla Black are staunch Liverpool supporters... obviously dropped on their heads when babies!!

Loved your post Scott. Paul McCartney's father was a big Evertonian and I've often wondered why he has never made a monetary contribution to our great club in his father's name, but then he is reputedly very tight with his money. Perhaps if we all sign an oath to become "veggies" he might contribute!!

Peter
well her teeth certainly got transferred up here !

John Keating (066) - "You have to remember the Beatles were like loads of acts from Liverpool at that time in that once they made a name for themselves it was 'off down South' and trade in on the accent"

Yeah they should have stayed here, who knows, they could have been as big as Cy Tucker and The Friars.

They were good Eugene. Mind you, I think they were responsible for a lot of alehouses closing.

I remember they used to play in small pubs using about 3000 speakers – the whole building used to shake. They'd go the next alehouse to play and the first would have to shut down for being unsafe.

Also the cause of so many scousers being good at sign language and charades as it was so loud you had to order a round using fingers, hands and any other appendage.

I have seen a picture of Macca with an LFC rosette pined to his chest.

The truth is, would any of them have even been able to explain the offside rule. I doubt.

What’s all this shit about the Catholic-Protestant thing? I know it all goes back to St Domingos and all that but the shite are starting to claim that history as well now (deluded pricks) so what difference does that make?

My family were all Protestants (two misguided souls were members of the Orange Lodge) and with one exception were all Evertonians and even the exception (my auntie Mary) wasn’t a kopite she was just a stuck-up old git who thought football was unbecoming to gentle people! It just harks back to the bad old days when there was a religious divide in Liverpool and the ’this is ours and that is yours’ attitude prevailed.

I can recall asking my dad years ago how this idea of Everton being a team belonging to one side of the divide arose and what effect it had. He said he’d never thought about it. His dad before him was an Evertonian and he followed in his footsteps. As far as my dad was concerned the only gods to be worshipped were Dixie Dean and Tommy Lawton!

That’s all as dead as a doornail now and was already dying in the sixties.... and quite right too. I’m not sure when this Macca interview with The Observer was... but he should have had more sense than to say something like that.

Dave (117) - I think Macca was speaking metaphorically i.e. comparing the divide/hatred between us and the shite with similar religious differences.

I have often wondered whether the Beatles success which came about at the same time as LFC had started to win trophies again has albeit accidentally been responsible for their global recognition?

Lennon / McCartney you should have stuck to being professionals in a respectable job like dentistry or accountancy not writing songs and music that became world renowned and synonymous with the city of your birth.

You may be right Scott....but I doubt it.

Scott 75, nice idea but I don't think he would want to alienate the shite supporters.

If there was only us in Liverpool, we may have got some money out of him if we named a stand after him.
Who knows!

I grew up at the same time and in the same part of Liverpool and never heard of any of them being fans of either team.

Ringo was one of the local knock about lads the others were college puddens.

You're dead right. Patrick... that's exactly how it was. I'm not aware of how old you are but I was a teenager at the time and it was obvious what was happening. Everton were an old, traditional, established club expected to be there or thereabouts and nobody paid any particular attention to us over and above the sporting attention we already deserved and received.

Then, in a flash, from being a backwater that was totally ignored not only nationally but by its own famous sons and daughters (people like Arthur Askey and Ted Ray were only too happy to admit to their Liverpool birthright post 1962 but never mentioned it previously ....and there are many more!) Liverpool suddenly became the centre of the universe that everybody was looking to and at and just at that time the shite were beginning to emerge with a 'meejah savvy' manager who made people laugh and who dickheads like the fifth Beatle (Tarbuck) supported. These were the type of institutions and individuals the 'meejah' were interested in in the sixties.

It was a time for big NEW things, all very sixties and Everton were not that and it was to the shite that all the attention and publicity went. Shankly milked all that to the hilt. I don't blame them for taking advantage and the biggest 'advantage' they took was adopting that shit Gerry and the Pacemakers 'Merseybeat' song as their anthem. A club adopting that today would be laughed at, but in the sixties it was right on the button.

I was only a toddler at the time Dave, but thanks for your reply - it makes perfect sense.

Another arsehole Gerry Marsden, he made his dosh and never looked back at where he was from, around Upper Parly, I think?

Anyway I'm sure his family were Blues – until he sung that fucking song!!!!

Pete Best has gone on record saying John Lennon was a Blue, my late father also said both John & Paul attended the 68 final. They all play safe on this subject as it's the easy option. Cilla's family was Blue yet she stuck on the RS when it became popular in the 70s as it gave them self publicity at the time but underneath most didn't give a toss as then it wasn't like it is now; a lot of people did actually attend both clubs on a regular basis.

I remember being at the 'Iron Door Club', much better than the sweaty disinfectant stinking Cavern, the night Everton sealed the League Title in 1963. 'The Searchers' were the 'house' band there and I am sure most of them were Blues.

Yes, as has been mentioned, with the runaway success of the Beatles and the Merseysound in general, it was certainly a good idea to hitch yourself to the Liverpool wagon. Liverpool was THE place to be in the 1960's and, despite London's rather sad Carnaby crap, was a forerunner of all sorts of fashion, music and, above all, football.

But that was the thing, Liverpool the city and Liverpool the football club, became synonymous with each other and, once the Beatles conquered the music world the football club was carried along on their shirttails. And they had media savvy Shankly and we had introverted Catterick.

The number of times people...OK, girls, would say to me and me mates when on holiday "You're from Liverpool? Do you know the Beatles?" "Well, as a matter of fact, Paul and I were in the same class. Would you like to come back to our tent/caravan/room?" (Oh, come on! You mean to say you wouldn't?) Great days...

I joined the Army in 1964 and everywhere I went Liverpool was always a good place to be 'from'.

Alan, I can only speak for myself but I grew up in the 50s in Everton and I personally do not know of anyone, family, friends or neighbours that went to both grounds.

I have no doubt there were, just saying in my experience you were either Red or Blue. I was just fortunate 99% of my family were blue I certainly pitied divided families!!

Certainly around our way I reckon there were far more Evertonians but of course that changed when they started decanting everyone out in the 60s to the "new" towns, Kirkby, Skem etc

About 20 years ago, I attended a function where McCartney was guest of honour. Seeing the great man across a crowded room, I was desperate to ask him whether he was a Blue or a Red but couldn't quite summon the courage. So my mate, who was neutral and made of sterner stuff, went up to him and asked for me.

His reply was (and this is word for word): "Both. I think I'm the only one."

I never really understood the demand or belief that McCartney should put some money into the club. He clearly doesn't really care that much, even if his vague preference is for us. I don't know many people, "mean with their money" or otherwise, who'd sink several million quid into something that a) they're not that interested in and b) isn't going to give them a return.

Robin or (c) was going give a big profit to BK as well as investing in the Club knowing that BK had not.

I sat next to Macca and his boys at the 89 Cup Final and spent half the match identifying players of both sides for him. He told me he'd had 'Everton sympathies' as a kid 'but now supported football on Merseyside.'

To be honest, I got the impression football was a long way down his list of interests !

None of them was particularly interested in football but Paul did have a leaning towards us because of his family's allegiance. However Brian Epstein thought it would be better for their image if the four lads from Liverpool were thought to support the team called Liverpool on the basis that fans around the world might not actually know who or what Everton was.

All part of the spin, just as Epstein created the myth that they were all single and available despite John being married to Cynthia. Which as it so happens inspired him to write "Listen, Do You Want to Know a Secret", the secret being he was a married man.

John Keating(131) I grew up in the Dingle in the 40s where Marsdon lived,and he was a blue.

Robert
I'm sure he was a blue but that soon changed !
When he was doing the Clubs and pubs right at the start he kept going on about how great fucking Liverpool were and how shit we were.
Once that song got going the prick used to get decked out in a red and white scarf !
The arsehole is still doing it today.
Think of Fowler, Gerrard, Owen, Macmanaman and Carragher multiply them all by 10 and you'll get close to Gerry Marsden

The only religious connection at Goodison was when I saw Moyes as our manager and thought Jesus Christ how much longer.
Thank God he has gone.

I remember watching TFI Friday with Chris Evans a few years back now and he had McCartney on as special guest. The audience were invited to ask questions and the lead singer of the Lightning seeds Ian (red shite ) Brodie said to him are you a red or blue? Macca did reply that he liked both clubs but his allegiance was definitely Everton due to his father, his dad took him goodison on a few occasions as well. You should have seen the look of comical disappointment on Brodie's face when he realised one of his idols was deep down blue. Only wish Kenwright would keep digging McCartneys ribs to invest.

Amen Joe

Lets move on

Tim jones (145) mike pender searchers lead singer is a blue. I know cos back in the seventies he was best man for someone I knew. He told me how they were both dancing in trafalgar square fountain after the 66 final.

Derek Williams (#270)

As a bit of a Beatles anorak, I think you’re mistaken in your Brian Epstein assumption. There was absolutely nothing to be gained by pinning the lads colours to the RS mast - we were Champions in ’63, and Cup Winners in ’66! (Don’t forget we were still the bigger Club in those days - was the ’71 Semi that started the slide IMO).

Also,"Do you want to know a secret" was a McCartney ditty!

McCartney was Blue, Ringo red
George indifferent and Lennon Man Utd

Derek #270 Wikipedia is wrong on that song (before anyone quotes it)! The title was famously taken from a line in a film, spoken by Mickey Mouse.

Tony #397 Ringo HAS said if anything he’s Red. Before the’84 Milk Cup Final he half-heartedly backed the RS, saying "When I was a kid, Everton were the posh team!"

Alan Whittle used to drive a Beetle. And I think Tarbuck only stood on the Kop so he could press up against youngsters and piss in people's pockets.

Gary #405 - I think I read similar where he mentioned supporting reds as kid. Also think he put Albert Stubbins on cover of Sgt Pepper. Lennon had soft spot for Man Utd as it was the Munich era hence Matt Busby on Let it Be and pic on Menlove Av album.

I've just checked my Little Black Book and Ringo Starr is definitely a Redshite. I remember him sucking up to that arsehole Phil Redmond bloke during the City of Culture preparations and making some demeaning comment about us.

Come the great day ......

Regarding EFC being the "posh club" Starr is too thick to know the difference between "posh" and "class". Not even the best drummer in the Beatles and surely one of the jammiest people to walk this earth.

I'm late to this thread but reading some of the "celebrity" names along with some of their "celebrity" players simply confirms why the word "gobshite" is such an appropriate description of them and their fans.

Jim Potter - "It seems amazing that 4 males from this area were just not that interested in football. Incredible but seemingly true"

For a while in the mid 70s, my pre-match routine was to meet 'the lads' (nb: one of them now uses a walking stick) at the Hofbrauhaus and watch strippers. (Seems odd now but back then, strippers and 'topless go-go' was VERY popular in many pubs in Liverpool at lunchtime.)

Anyway, at about ten past two, the place would empty and everyone would run for a bus to Goodison.

On that run to the bus stop, I remember seeing fellers who looked like the cartoon 'the lone groover' who used to appear in the NME – centre-part, lank unwashed hair, wearing an army great coat and with a Golden Earring album tucked under the arm. Their afternoon was going to be spent hanging about in Probe and they had NO interest in football. They were always viewed by the majority as 'oddies' and you got the impression they liked it that way. (Point of difference, don't follow the herd, etc)

For me, the Beatles were like an earlier version of these fellers. Clothes a bit smarter but... basically the same.

Jesus Eugene, we might have sat next to each at the hofbrauhaus before a game. It was miles better watching these girls than sitting in a pub surrounded by a bunch of old, miserable gets.

Eugene, they probably sat around looking doped in the Moonstone too, saying things like 'groovy' and 'man'. Or if they were really cool, it was 'groovy man'

Thanks to the way football is now marketed, many people think that they have to have some kind of allegiance to one team or another.

When I was in secondary school in the 1960s, there were about 30 kids in my class. Broadly speaking, and if my memory serves, about 10 of us went to the game regularly... split between red and blue. A further 10 would have some kind of loose allegiance... would claim to be a supporter but would never dream of going to Goodison or Anfield. The final third was a group of lads who didn't give a flying fuck. These guys were into fishing, music... some of them even knew GIRLS!

It has always tickled me that there is this idea that everyone in Liverpool is football driven and has a rabid addiction to one side or another. So I am happy to believe that four fella's from the south end couldn't care less about footie and came together through music. Another factor might be that during the 1950s both sides were basically shite!

I was also a regular at the Hoffbrau House. Happy memories.

Eugene Ruane @ 533

"my pre-match routine was to meet 'the lads' at the Hofbrauhaus and watch strippers."

And you called ME a "dirty bastard" the other week?

Cheeky twat.

Jesus wept Friar Ruane - 'my pre-match routine was to meet 'the lads' (nb: one of them now uses a walking stick) at the Hofbrauhaus and watch strippers' - we must have rubbed shoulders in the bogs. Derby day at the Hof was utter madness and I felt sorry for the strippers as the herd hung over the little stage,

I remember it like it was yesterday: my first stripper and the first song she gyrated her sturdy Croxteth buttocks along with, Miss You by the Stones.

Permit me to take issue with one thing however. It was in no shape or form incompatible to hang around Probe with a fringe and go to the match too - I did both each weekend and then Erics afterwards.

By the way ER where did you end up buying a gaff and is the season ticket working ok now.

. (Seems odd now but back then, strippers and 'topless go-go' was VERY popular in many pubs in Liverpool at lunchtime.)

I always thought that the FA Cup Final that Lennon and McCartney watched was the '66 one, and not the wretched '68 game, but I may be wrong, of course.

I never knew that Gerry Marsden started out as a Blue, by the way.

And another historical fact that needs correcting every once in a while: St Domingo's was a Methodist church, not Roman Catholic.

There never was a Catholic/Protestant thing between Everton and Liverpool FC. LFC was born out of Everton – both clubs come from the same root. It's not at all like Glasgow.

The Protestant/Catholic connection was more with fans. We had fans from both backgrounds. Even if one had more than the other, then the smaller one certainly still had a large enough followingto count as a strong connection.

If you look for connections on either side you will find them.

Re the Beatles, it makes me laugh how Liverpool fans have the Beatles connection based on footage on Panarama of their fans joining in with a Beatles song played on the pa before a match. It was in fact the Evertonians who were taking the most Beatles songs and reworking them as Everton songs, and getting them sung at the match all over the country.

Paul #008 "Seems odd now but back then, strippers and 'topless go-go' was VERY popular in many pubs in Liverpool at lunchtime"

Still is here in Pattaya!

Actually Gary Reeves # 394 'Do you want to know a secret' was written and SUNG by George Harrison.

Tim, I knew George sang the song, but it was penned by Lennon/McCartney. (I’d always assumed that Paul had written it, as I’d heard him referencing the Mickey Mouse movie.) According to the online Beatles Bible, it was written by John (and given to George, to sing) so we’re BOTH wrong to a certain degree. Ooops.

Ray Roche (999) - "And you called ME a "dirty bastard" the other week Cheeky twat"

Er yes..well..um..I WAS a dirty bastard, you ARE a dirty bastard.

Paul Ferry (008) - Yes season ticket now working although I leave myself plenty of time each game just in case it fucks up and I have to leg (ie: fast walk hop-skip type thing) round to the box office.

Still looking at houses/flats

Estate agaent: "Well you see they're ALL open plan now because (thinks hard) it's a better..er..utilization of the space..plus you've got more light"

Me: "Well it certainly spreads the smell of a rissole further"

Estate agent (not listening) "Exactly, now the bedroom might look a but pokey but.."

Eugene, I think you'll find that, whatever I was in a previous life, I've certainly cleaned my act up over the last few decades. In fact I'm squeaky clean now, and not just in case "she" stumbles on my rambling efforts on here.....
No, really.