What's Our Name?

by Peter Fearon | 04/06/2016

25 Comments [Jump to last]

We are all naturally focused on our new manager but the passing of the legendary Muhammed Ali took me back to 1967 and his (admittedly distant) connection with Everton. Terrell foolishly insisted on calling Ali by his former name, Cassius Clay, and in retaliation, Ali gave Terrell the beating of his life while taunting him with the words, "What's my name? What's my name?"

Within the week and for several seasons after, Everton fans were chanting "What's our name?" at opposing fans while Ball, Kendall, Harvey, Royle & Co, gave their teams a hiding. Those were the days...

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Chris Williams
1 Posted 05/06/2016 at 06:52:49

Yes I can well remember that Peter. You can see and hear the chant in the film 'the Golden Vision', which I must watch again now

Tony Draper
2 Posted 05/06/2016 at 07:37:41

For those who have never seen "The Golden Vision" (Ken Loach) or haven't seen it in years, please do.

Link

The opening seconds will have you hooked simply for the sheer charm.

Rob Hardy
3 Posted 05/06/2016 at 07:41:47

Odd connection I have is the memory of bunking in to Goodison at three quarter time for the 1-1 with Panathanikos then going home to hear the staggering news Ali had suffered his first ever defeat - against Joe Frasier.

I might be going mad of course but that's how I remember it.

Nick Entwistle
4 Posted 05/06/2016 at 07:49:37

So its not a documentary then? I gave it five minutes and will now have to return.

"And don't stay all night, there's others to go"

Colin Glassar
5 Posted 05/06/2016 at 07:57:29

I think Ali was an Evertonian (converted by Paul McCartney by some accounts) and we should honour him this coming season by paraphrasing his post-Liston shout ie " We shook up the world, we shook up the world"

I know this is an Everton/football forum but I was/am a bit disappointed that TW didn't even acknowledge the passing of a man who transcended sport and became an icon for billions, yes- billions! Rest in Peace Muhammad, thanks for the memories, you will never be forgotten.

Dave Abrahams
6 Posted 05/06/2016 at 08:53:54

I think the chant "What's our name" was first started in an FA cup match at Burnley, it might have been on the Saturday after the Terrell fight.

A supporter then wrote to The Liverpool Echo and claimed the patent to this chant for Everton FC. Ali was the greatest so it was fitting he was connected to Everton in this way.

We have slipped enormously since those far off days hopefully the good times are on the way back.

Jim Lloyd
7 Posted 05/06/2016 at 09:21:44

Nick, I think one of the actors (Bill Dean) was a relation of Dixie and the homes shown where the supporters lived, was an old part of Liverpool called Everton.

If you haven't already seen it on YouTube try watching the Everton v Man Utd 1967 game at GP. We were a bloody good side then.

Agreed Colin, a great man. I remember seeing him on the morning of the 66 final, when he was jogging round Hyde Park. Some lads had a great bit of fun with him and he loved it and played along with them. A fine, fine man... and an Evertonian :)

Paul Kossoff
8 Posted 05/06/2016 at 14:56:29

What's our name? Mud, if the Koeman deal fall's through, as it's now hit choppy water's.

Dave Abrahams
9 Posted 05/06/2016 at 15:00:03

Rob (3) yes you have nearly got it correct, they showed the recording of the fight after the Everton v Panathanikos game, the fight happened early in the morning on the day of the game, a lot of people watched the fight refusing to know the result until they had watched it.

Brian Denton
10 Posted 05/06/2016 at 15:12:22

Never remembered it was on after the Panathinaikos game. I was at that game, so that explains why I can't recall seeing the highlights. I remember seeing the knockdown on the news. I can also remember my mum waking me up the morning after the fight to say Frazier had won. I was well pissed off.

Typical Everton day.

Dave Abrahams
11 Posted 05/06/2016 at 16:32:56

Rob. (3) by the way you didn't bunk in for that game, they opened the gates at three quarter time and anyone could just walk in, so if you have felt guilty all these years about bunking in, I have just absolved you.

Darren Hind
12 Posted 05/06/2016 at 16:53:01

I seem to remember it ringing around Goodison when we beat the shite. Not sure if it was when we beat them on Saturday night in the cup, or when Bally scored a couple in a 3-1 win.

What's our name E-V-E-R-T-O-N
What's our name E-V-E-R-T-O-N

I remember Ginger Parker getting thrown out of the corner house on Athol Street because he just wouldnt stop singing it . .we're talking several hours here

Dave Abrahams
13 Posted 05/06/2016 at 16:56:55

Darren (12) ginger Parker, ah, they don't make characters like Ginger very often, a one off.

David Greenwood
14 Posted 05/06/2016 at 17:08:53

Paul, where is the evidence that the deal for Koeman has hit choppy waters?

Brent Stephens
15 Posted 05/06/2016 at 17:19:18

FFS, Paul. Do you believe everything you read? But some say, "this is Everton we're talking about; only at Everton; blah blah" - another senseless bloody saying.

Jim Bailey
16 Posted 05/06/2016 at 17:31:51

Tony@2
Fantastic, many thanks for the link.

Bob Cumiskey
17 Posted 05/06/2016 at 17:33:15

I never started going the game until 1974, so my greatest memories are mainly built around the 80s.

There was something really special about that era though and the players were so humble too.

Never seen that video before and really enjoyed it.
Thanks Tony 2.

Doug Harris
18 Posted 05/06/2016 at 22:04:59

I seem to recall chanting "What's our name?" at Wolves in 1967 – February 18th.

We (Everton of course) took over the whole end of their ground in the FA Cup match,afterwards, as we did in them days took the town centre too.

I would also say the patent to that chant belongs to Us.

What's our name...? EVERTON!

Ali can have his "What's My Name?"

Joe Bibb
19 Posted 06/06/2016 at 10:57:38

Yes, Doug, you are right – it was sung for the first time at the Cup Tie at Wolves on 8th February 1967 this is documented in George Or's book Everton FC Home & Away in the 1960s & 70s

Joe Bibb
20 Posted 06/06/2016 at 11:00:42

you can still get George Orr's book on ebay it gives you many insights into those day like how Alex Scott got his nickname "Chico" and many other interesting stories.

Dennis Stevens
21 Posted 06/06/2016 at 11:48:00

Aye, & get George's book on the "Lost Decade" the 1940s, too!

Jim Lloyd
22 Posted 06/06/2016 at 12:04:15

Darren! Bloody Hell. I've just seen a ghost from the past, there alright !! Ginger Parker!

He used to come to the match with his shirt open, rain or shine, summer or winter. "EV-ER-TON, -TON, -TON!" booming out from I think the Lower Bullens, I was behind the goal in Gladys Street.

I remember me mate telling me about Ginger getting thrown out of another pub up by Gregsons Well. A proper spit and sawdust place and he stood on a table giving out "From Me Aunty's Shitehouse you can see New Brighton Lighthouse, if it wasn't for the houses in between". He got chucked out before he could sing any more.

No socks on, feet as black as coal and I think, the same shirt he always wore.

Be good to have that chant back again.

Paul English
23 Posted 06/06/2016 at 12:17:37

Jim/Darren,

I remember "Ginger" – he used to drink on Scotland Road, great fella and a Great Evertonian.........."Alex and Alan, Dynamic Duo"......"When You're Smiling"!!!!!!!

Sean McCarthy
25 Posted 07/06/2016 at 03:16:28

On what do you base your assertion that Ali was an Evertonian, Colin??
I'd be genuinely surprised if he'd ever heard of us!!!! We did precious little marketing in the states when their top player was in our goal. God alone knows what the "marketing dept' of 1960s Everton looked like!!!!
In fairness you do have a habit of talking utter bollocks under the guise that you have inside knowledge of the machinations of the club. Have you spotted senor pellegrini yet????

Kieran Kinsella
26 Posted 07/06/2016 at 03:38:26

Sean

Colin tends to get more right than he gets wrong. In this instance, there's a whole article in The Echo about Ali going to the 66 cup final. Maybe you should do your own homework before finding fault in others.

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