Contents
- 1 What football teams fans sing Hey Jude?
- 2 Why do City fans turn their backs?
- 3 What football team did John Lennon support?
- 4 Who is Man United’s biggest rival?
- 5 Why do city fans boo the Champions League anthem?
- 6 What does Poznan mean in football?
- 7 What football team did John Lennon support?
Why do football fans sing Hey Jude?
Why Do Brentford Sing Hey Jude After Matches? – Brentford fans sing Hey Jude because Peter Gilham, the club’s stadium announcer when the song was released in 1968, played it in the stadium for a girl he knew called Judy Kaufman – who was known as Jude – and the song quickly became Brentford’s adopted anthem. The club have even used the song to announce new player arrivals, fittingly including the signing of Jude Russell in July 2021, who joined up with Brentford’s B side,
Why do teams sing Hey Jude?
City Win the League – City’s title win in 1967/68 was a surprise at the very least. Only two seasons previously had they won promotion from the Second Division, and the season before they had finished 15th in the First Division a full 21 points behind the Champions Manchester United (in the days of two points for a win).
City had not made any major signings either, and when they gained only one point from their first three games another season of struggle looked likely. Defeat against Stoke though in the last of those three games prompted a tactical switch that saw Mike Summerbee moved to centre-forward from wide right.
Summerbee scored three times in the next five games, all of which City won leaving them second in the table. Just as people began talking about City as title contenders they stumbled again, losing three on the trot. After the third of those defeats, against Sunderland on 7 October 1967, they had dropped to 10th in the table.
But it was the defeat to Sunderland, to lead to a season-defining moment. City broke their transfer record to sign Francis Lee from Bolton Wanderers for £60,000. His introduction to the team sparked an 11-match unbeaten run, and by Christmas 1967 City were in 2nd place in the league, a point behind city rivals and reigning Champions Manchester United.
But then successive defeats against West Bromwich Albion saw the team drop to 4th. Again City responded in determined fashion, winning six and drawing one of their next seven matches. When they beat Fulham 5-1 at home on 16 March 1968 it put them on top of the table with ten games to go.
They were two points clear of Leeds and Manchester United with a much superior goal difference. But the next seven league games brought three defeats, a draw and three wins. With four games to go they had dropped to third, a point behind Leeds and two behind Manchester United. Then two wins in four days at Maine Road against Sheffield Wednesday and Everton, followed by a win at White Hart Lane against Tottenham meant they went into the last game of the season level on points with Manchester United at the top of the table, but with City having a superior goal difference.
City knew if they could match United’s result in the final game of the season they would be Champions for the first time since 1937 and only the second time ever. City’s game against Newcastle proved to be a fitting way to finish the season, although a 4-3 win was immaterial in the end with second-place United losing at Sunderland. The top of the 1967/68 league table. The next season began on 10 August 1968, just two weeks before The Beatles released Hey Jude. Very soon the song was bouncing around the Maine Road terraces. Unfortunately for City it was a return to the League form of two seasons prior, and they finished 13th, although they did beat Leicester City to win the FA Cup. Manchester City’s league finishes.
Why do so many football clubs play Hey Jude?
Hey Jude is a song sung by the Beatles that was released in August 1968. Coincidentally it was also the season in which Manchester City were crowned Champions of England. The team was crowned as champions on May, 1968. So it is merely a song which City fans use to remember their achievement.
What football teams fans sing Hey Jude?
‘My legs were shaking’ – Bellingham left stunned as Real Madrid fans sing ‘Hey Jude’ after late winner | Goal.com UK Jude Bellingham continued his phenomenal start to life at Real Madrid with another winner in a 2-1 victory over Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid beat Getafe 2-1Bellingham scores 95th minute winnerFans in the Bernabeu serenade new signing
WHAT HAPPENED? Bellingham enjoyed his first appearance for Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday, to seal a 2-1 win against Getafe in La Liga. The goal means Bellingham now has five goals in his first four La Liga games for Los Blancos and already has the club’s fans singing his name.
- WHAT THEY SAID: “At the moment of the goal was the loudest I have ever heard on a football field,” he told the club’s media.
- When they sang ‘Hey Jude’ at the end, I got goosebumps.
- I just wanted to turn and stand still and listen to it while my legs were shaking.” THE BIGGER PICTURE: Real Madrid invested heavily in Bellingham over the summer but he has wasted no time in starting to pay off his hefty transfer fee.
His goals have ensured it’s been a strong start to the season by Carlo Ancelotti’s side despite seeing Karim Benzema depart in the summer and, Madrid have now won their first four games in successive seasons for just the second time in their history. Getty Getty WHAT NEXT? Bellingham is now due to for a Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine followed up by a friendly with Scotland. : ‘My legs were shaking’ – Bellingham left stunned as Real Madrid fans sing ‘Hey Jude’ after late winner | Goal.com UK
Why do Man City have bananas?
Manchester City supporters invade the pitch following their 2011–12 Premier League title win. Since their inception in 1880 by Rev. Arthur Connell and William Beastow as St. Mark’s (West Gorton), Manchester City Football Club have developed a loyal, passionate and dedicated following.
- Evolving from a cricket team which aimed to unite the community in industrial east Manchester, St.
- Mark’s changed to Ardwick F.C.
- Before settling on Manchester City F.C.
- On 16 April 1894.
- City supporters have been described as being able to “revel in adversity” – evidenced in average match attendances increasing as the club fell to the second, and then third tier of English football for the only time in the club’s history in 1998,
Since moving to the City of Manchester Stadium in 2003, the club have sold approximately of 36,000 season tickets in every season they have played and average attendances have ranked in the top 5 of English football since. Manchester City supporters are distinguishable by their sky blue, a colour which is only used by a handful of professional football clubs in England.
The City supporters’ song of choice is a rendition ” Blue Moon ” and are famous for their inflatables, normally yellow bananas, which are still occasionally seen today at various games, often when City are on a cup run. The inflatables were initially started as a humorous laugh by numerous City fans after a City player Imre Varadi was nicknamed banana hence the inflatable bananas.
Other inflatables soon followed aimed at putting goodwill back into football during the dark days of English football hooliganism and stadium riots and the craze soon caught on with other clubs following suit and even dressing up the inflatable bananas.
The club have been previously branded as “everyone’s second favourite club” due to their reputation as being one of the most tumultuous and unpredictable teams in English football with an innate ability ‘to do things the hard way’. Supporters refer to inconsistent results and unexpected events as “Typical City”, or “City-itis” and media often refer to City as a “soap opera” club.
Historical events and results labelled as “Typical City” include being the only team to score and concede 100 league goals in one season ( 1957–58 ) and the only reigning champions in English football to be relegated ( 1937–38 ). However, despite anguish, many City fans regard success and failure as part of being a loyal and real football supporter and specifically what it means to be a Manchester City supporter.
- Manchester City hold the second highest attendance record in English football (84,569), beaten only by Tottenham Hotspur on 14 September 2016 as Spurs were temporarily playing UEFA Champions League “home” games at Wembley stadium.
- However, Manchester City still hold the record for the highest attended all-English football match, as 84,569 fans packed Maine Road for a sixth round FA Cup tie against Stoke City in 1934 (City went on to win the FA Cup that season).
The ground was packed two and a half hours before kick-off, as supporters sat down on the touchline only yards from goalkeeper Frank Swift and the magnitude of the crowd caused a crush barrier to collapse causing a few injuries. Since then, the club has moved to the Eastlands (also known as the Etihad Stadium) near to where the club was formed in 1880.
Why do City fans turn their backs?
City are synonymous with the Poznan (Picture: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images) It’s safe to say Manchester City fans have done a lot of celebrating in recent years. Since the Abu Dhabi-based Abu Dhabi United group bought the club back in 2008, City have been transformed into one of the finest teams on the planet with numerous trophies won on the blue side of Manchester – with even a potential treble arriving at the end of the 2022/23 season. City have adopted the celebration as their own (Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images) During the game, the 6,000 travelling Poznan supporters performed an unusual celebration in the away end. Turning their backs on the pitch, spreading their arms and linking with the supporter next to them, the fans created a wave of blue chains whilst bouncing up and down on the spot.
- Such was their admiration for the celebration, City fans copied the gesture in a light-hearted jest after all three of Emmanuel Adebayor’s goals in the 3-1 win.
- Ever since that day, City fans have adopted the celebration as their own and dubbed it the ‘Poznan’ in homage to their Polish counterparts.
- Whilst it is not performed every single time City put the ball in the back of the net, the celebration is wheeled out after particularly big goals and defining moments.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Manchester City’s celebration has even been mocked by opposition fans in recent years, with supporters doing the Poznan when their team scores against the Mancunians.
A number of clubs around the world have also adopted the celebration, including Celtic, Eintracht Frankfurt, Ajax, FC Copenhagen and Western Sydney Wanderers. In Poland, and throughout much of Europe, the celebration is instead known as the ‘Grecque’. The Poznan originally had its roots as a protest against club management whilst still supporting the team.
MORE : Champions League prize money 2023: How much Man City or Inter Milan will earn as winners MORE : Who is Champions League final 2023 referee Szymon Marciniak? Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below
What football team did John Lennon support?
The Beatles: The football teams Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr & George Harrison supported | Goal.com UK The band all hail from the football-mad crazy city of Liverpool, but which teams did they support – and did they align with the Reds or Blues? Few cities can boast about being a true hub for both football and music.
- Not only is the city of Liverpool home to the likes of Liverpool and Everton, but it is also the birthplace of all four of the Beatles.
- Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr all originated from Merseyside and their fame was what first brought global attention to the city.
- The success brought by Liverpool FC would only come later on, beginning from the 1970s.
As famous and influential as the Beatles are, a topic that has been called into question over the decades is that of their football allegiance. Liverpool is so famed for their impassioned football culture – surely their four most well-known sons are mad for the sport as well? But figuring out which teams the Fab Four supported isn’t as straightforward as one might think.
Much like today’s musicians hesitate to publicly endorse a political figure for fear of marginalising significant portions of their fanbase, perhaps the Beatles didn’t want to alienate fans who supported a rival team.The “Eleanor Rigby” scene during The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine film references football – and potentially the Merseyside derby – as it depicts two football teams, one in blue and the other in red.However, Paul McCartney is believed to be a ‘secret’ Evertonian, and was once spotted in the stands during the 1968 FA Cup final between West Brom and Everton.While he has stated that as a native Liverpudlian he has a fondness for both teams, when it “comes to the crunch” he says he is a Blue.”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,” he,
“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.” Writer Andy Thompson has also confirmed McCartney’s loyalties. “Paul was (and maybe still is) definitely an Evertonian, as was his dad. He attended the 1968 FA Cup final – there is a photo of him outside Wembley,” he wrote in the,
“His brother Mike is a massive Red – and part of his band The Scaffold’s promo film for ‘Thank You Very Much’ was filmed in front of a packed Spion Kop at his behest.” John Lennon wasn’t a football fan at all or into sports,, His dad, however, was a Liverpool supporter and it was on his suggestion that they include former Reds great Albert Stubbins on the album cover of Sgt. Wikimedia Commons George Harrison is considered to be the Beatle with the least interest in the sport, or was at least the member the most careful to dismiss any allegiances to either team in Liverpool by stating: “There are three teams in Liverpool, and I prefer the other one.” Curiously, Ringo Starr appears to be an Arsenal fan.
- His stepfather was from London and would take Ringo to Anfield or Goodison whenever the Gunners played an away game.
- However, according to Thompson, Ringo grew knowledgeable about the Reds and both of his sons have season tickets at Anfield.
- The most obvious connection between the Beatles and football, though, is a telegram sent by the foursome to Liverpool manager Bill Shankly in 1965, wishing the Reds fortune in their upcoming FA Cup final.
The telegram is on display at the Shankly Hotel in Liverpool, and reads: “Best of luck lads, we’ll be watching on the tele. John, Paul, George and Ringo.” : The Beatles: The football teams Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr & George Harrison supported | Goal.com UK
Who is Man United’s biggest rival?
Nemanja Vidić of Manchester United being sent off in a Premier League match against Liverpool on 14 March 2009. Liverpool won this game 4–1. | |
Location | North West England |
---|---|
Teams | Liverpool Manchester United |
First meeting | 28 April 1894 Football League test match Liverpool 2–0 Newton Heath |
Latest meeting | 5 March 2023 Premier League Liverpool 7–0 Manchester United |
Next meeting | 16 December 2023 Premier League |
Stadiums | Anfield (Liverpool) Old Trafford (United) |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 211 |
Most player appearances | Ryan Giggs (48) |
Top scorer | Mohamed Salah (12) |
All-time series | Liverpool: 71 Drawn: 58 Manchester United: 82 |
Largest victory | Liverpool 7–0 Manchester United 5 March 2023 ( 2022–23 Premier League ) |
The Liverpool F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry, sometimes referred to as the Northwest Derby, is a high-profile inter-city rivalry between English professional football clubs Liverpool and Manchester United, It is considered the biggest fixture in English football and one of the biggest and fiercest rivalries in world football.
Players, fans and the media consider the fixture between the two clubs to be their biggest rivalry, above even their own local derbies, with Everton and Manchester City respectively. The rivalry has been fuelled by the proximity of the two major cities that they represent, their historic economic and industrial rivalry, significant periods of domestic footballing dominance and European success, and their popularity at home and abroad, as two of the biggest-earning and widely supported football clubs in the world.
The two clubs are the most successful English teams in domestic, European and worldwide competitions; between them they have won 39 league titles, 20 FA Cups, 15 League Cups, one Football League Super Cup, 37 FA Community Shields, nine European Cups/UEFA Champions Leagues, four UEFA Cups, one UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, five UEFA Super Cups, one Intercontinental Cup and two FIFA Club World Cups,
Is banana good or bad for men?
7. Improves Libido – Banana benefits for men include a range of health benefits for men’s health and are packed with nutrients. Potassium, the main nutrient in banana, helps to boost the production of testosterone, the male sex hormone and improves the libido.
- Tryptophan present in bananas helps to increase the secretion of serotonin, a hormone that lifts mood and increases the sex drive in men.
- Manganese and magnesium in bananas improve prostate health and promotes the functioning of reproductive organs to their optimum.
- Bananas are a great source of bromelain and vitamin B that regulates the hormone testosterone and increases the sexual desire, performance, and overall virility.
Bananas being a good source of carbohydrates boosts energy levels and increases blood circulation even to male reproductive organs and helps to improve libido.
Who is Liverpool rival?
Full name | Liverpool Football Club | ||
---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | The Reds | ||
Founded | 3 June 1892 ; 131 years ago | ||
Stadium | Anfield | ||
Capacity | 53,394 | ||
Owner | Fenway Sports Group | ||
Chairman | Tom Werner | ||
Manager | Jürgen Klopp | ||
League | Premier League | ||
2022–23 | Premier League, 5th of 20 | ||
Website | Club website | ||
|
/td>
Liverpool Football Club is a professional football club based in Liverpool, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football, Founded in 1892, the club joined the Football League the following year and has played its home games at Anfield since its formation.
Domestically, the club has won 19 league titles, eight FA Cups, a record nine League Cups and 16 FA Community Shields, In international competitions, the club has won six European Cups, three UEFA Cups, four UEFA Super Cups —all English records—and one FIFA Club World Cup, The club established itself as a major force in domestic and European football in the 1970s and 1980s, when Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish, led the club to a combined 11 League titles and four European Cups.
Liverpool won two further European Cups in 2005 and 2019 under the management of Rafael Benítez and Jürgen Klopp, respectively; the latter led Liverpool to a 19th league title in 2020, the club’s first during the Premier League era. Liverpool is one of the most valuable and widely supported clubs in the world.
- The club has long-standing rivalries with Manchester United and Everton,
- Under management by Shankly, in 1964 the team changed from red shirts and white shorts to an all-red home strip which has been used ever since.
- The club’s anthem is ” You’ll Never Walk Alone “.
- The club’s supporters have been involved in two major tragedies.
The Heysel Stadium disaster, where escaping fans were pressed against a collapsing wall at the 1985 European Cup Final in Brussels, resulted in 39 deaths. Most of these were Italians and Juventus fans. Liverpool were given a six-year ban from European competition, and all other English clubs received a five-year ban.
Why do city fans boo the Champions League anthem?
Why Man City fans boo the Champions League anthem Manchester City have been regulars in the Champions League for many years now following their 2008 takeover and they even reached the final in 2021, which was lost to Chelsea. Despite this, they have an odd relationship with the tournament.
- They have never won it, despite it so blatantly being the missing jewel in their crown.
- As well as that, their fans always boo the UEFA Champions League anthem when it is played before their matches.
- They are not the only club in Europe too have done this, but they are the most prolific with it.
- The booing stems back to the 2011/12 season.
City were playing against Porto and Mario Balotelli was racially abused by the fans. Porto were fined €20,000. A month later though, City were playing against Sporting CP and were fined €30,000 for being 30 seconds late onto the pitch. The relationship soured further when City were set to play CSKA Moscow away from home, but the Russian club were ordered to play behind closed doors following racial abuse by fans.
That means City fans could not go either even though thousands had flights, tickets and accommodation already paid for. Some CSKA fans were also then allowed into the stadium. The next incident was in 2017 when City were set to play Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine. The game was ordered to be played behind closed doors so City fans did not make arrangements, and then just weeks before the fixture, the decision was reversed, at which point it was too late for fans to go.
Alongside all of this was the fact that City have been regularly investigated and once found guilty of breaking UEFA Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. They were fined £49m in 2014 and made to name a smaller Champions League squad than usual as punishment.
They were found guilty of another breach in 2020 and were banned from the tournament for two years, which was then overturned on appeal. Overall, many City fans feel they have been targeted by UEFA for their newfound wealth which comes from outside of Europe. City had just one campaign in the old European Cup back in 1968/69, in which they were knocked out in the first round.
That was it until the investment from Abu Dhabi arrived and they qualified for the Champions League in 2011. Despite going on to win the Premier League title in 2011/12, they were knocked out in the group stage that year and also the following year. They have made the group stage every single season since.
- In 2013/14 and 2014/15, it ended at the Round of 16, whilst 2015/16 was a run to the semi-finals.
- The next four seasons did not go beyond the quarter-final stage before reaching the final for the first time in 2020/21.
- That felt like a major opportunity for City to finally realise their European dream, despite UEFA’s perceived adversity towards them.
But Kai Havertz’s goal was enough to secure the win for Chelsea Last season, they were knocked out in the semi-finals by Real Madrid after chucking away a commanding lead in dramatic late fashion. : Why Man City fans boo the Champions League anthem
What does Poznan mean in football?
Usage – The Poznań celebration involves the fans turning their backs to the pitch, joining arms and jumping up and down in unison. In Poland, and among many fans across Europe, it is not called “the Poznań” but is known as a “Grecque”, and it is performed by fans of many teams.
Despite initially failing to impress Manchester City fans when it was done during the teams’ meeting in the UEFA Europa League group stage on 21 October 2010, it was subsequently adopted by City supporters during a game early the following month. The activity was coined ‘The Poznań’ by Manchester City fans, in homage to the club that inspired them to celebrate in this way.
The Poznań was briefly adopted by other English football supporters, notably those of Leicester City after their clash with Manchester City in the third round of the FA Cup in January 2011, and is referred to by English football fans as “doing the Poznań”.
Where did Man City Poznan come from?
The next time you spot fans turning their backs jump up and down in madness, understand it’s a tradition called ‘Poznan’. – AFP Football fans worldwide are renowned for their ecstatic celebrations when their team scores a goal. Manchester City supporters, in particular, have a unique tradition known as “The Poznan,” But what exactly is it, how did it originate, and who participates in it? “The Poznan” is a celebratory ritual, also known as ” Le Grecque,” in which fans link arms, turn their backs to the pitch, and jump up and down while singing their favorite songs or chanting in unison.
- This synchronized display of enthusiasm serves as a taunt to the opposing team, suggesting that the celebrating fans’ team is so superior that they don’t even need to witness the goal.
- The roots of “The Poznan” can be traced back to a Polish club called Lech Poznan, where the celebratory dance became ingrained in their fan culture as early as 1961.
In the case of Manchester City, it is widely believed that their fans adopted “The Poznan” after witnessing Lech Poznan supporters perform it during a match between the two teams in the Polish leg of the Europa League group stage in 2010. Not only do Manchester City fans engage in “The Poznan,” but supporters of other teams have also caught on to this bouncy celebration over the years.
- Celtic, Ajax, Alaves, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Western Sydney Wanderers are just a few examples of clubs whose fans have incorporated “The Poznan” into their own repertoire of celebrations.
- The Poznan” has become so ingrained in Manchester City’s fan culture that even notable moments in their club’s history, such as their 2022-23 Premier League title run and a 4-1 victory over Liverpool, have been marked by fans performing the dance.
However, it is worth noting that other teams have used “The Poznan” to taunt Manchester City when they emerged victorious, as was the case when Arsenal fans mocked City during the 2014 FA Community Shield, where Arsenal won 3-0. FAQs
Who is the manager of Manchester City? Pep Guardiola Who is the manager of Man Utd? Erik ten Hag
Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever.
- Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified.
- ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein.
- Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates.
more less
Why do football fans sing?
To understand why, we need to travel back in time. It was in 16th-century Germany that Martin Luther – composer, theologian, priest and a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation – realised that singing together is about a lot more than just making music.
When we sing, we’re expressing identity, spirituality and solidarity, whether it’s in a church or the football stand. – Most people who sing in public with big groups of like-minded people aren’t members of choirs – they’re football fans. Football songs or chants have a long and illustrious pedigree in the UK, where there are records of chants dating back to the 1920s.
But the origins of this form of expression can be dated to much earlier, with Luther, his songs and reforms. It’s not as flippant as it seems to compare one of Luther’s hymns with “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, the Rodgers and Hammerstein song from Carousel adopted by Liverpool FC fans. The ritual that Liverpool fans go through every time their team plays has turned that melody and those words into a something much more than a signature tune for a football club.
- In the musical, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” acts as a bridge between heaven and earth after the suicide of one of the main characters.
- But the tune is about much, much more than that on the terraces.
- Since the early 1960s, when Liverpool adopted it as their sonic mascot, it has acquired more more memories and meanings with every rendition.
As well as being a symbol of the fans’ collective identity, it’s a hymn to comrades lost in the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy. Every time Liverpool fans sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, they perform their solidarity with each other as as fans and create a memorial bridge to lost friends and families. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is simultaneously a sound of hope, a lament and a call for togetherness. It may be the closest that football songs get to spiritual experience. Every time it is sung, Liverpool fans enact the revolutionary values of active, engaged and transformational communal singing that Martin Luther mobilised as an essential part of the Reformation in Germany in the 16th century.
What football team did John Lennon support?
The Beatles: The football teams Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr & George Harrison supported | Goal.com UK The band all hail from the football-mad crazy city of Liverpool, but which teams did they support – and did they align with the Reds or Blues? Few cities can boast about being a true hub for both football and music.
Not only is the city of Liverpool home to the likes of Liverpool and Everton, but it is also the birthplace of all four of the Beatles. Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr all originated from Merseyside and their fame was what first brought global attention to the city. The success brought by Liverpool FC would only come later on, beginning from the 1970s.
As famous and influential as the Beatles are, a topic that has been called into question over the decades is that of their football allegiance. Liverpool is so famed for their impassioned football culture – surely their four most well-known sons are mad for the sport as well? But figuring out which teams the Fab Four supported isn’t as straightforward as one might think.
Much like today’s musicians hesitate to publicly endorse a political figure for fear of marginalising significant portions of their fanbase, perhaps the Beatles didn’t want to alienate fans who supported a rival team.The “Eleanor Rigby” scene during The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine film references football – and potentially the Merseyside derby – as it depicts two football teams, one in blue and the other in red.However, Paul McCartney is believed to be a ‘secret’ Evertonian, and was once spotted in the stands during the 1968 FA Cup final between West Brom and Everton.While he has stated that as a native Liverpudlian he has a fondness for both teams, when it “comes to the crunch” he says he is a Blue.”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,” he,
“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.” Writer Andy Thompson has also confirmed McCartney’s loyalties. “Paul was (and maybe still is) definitely an Evertonian, as was his dad. He attended the 1968 FA Cup final – there is a photo of him outside Wembley,” he wrote in the,
“His brother Mike is a massive Red – and part of his band The Scaffold’s promo film for ‘Thank You Very Much’ was filmed in front of a packed Spion Kop at his behest.” John Lennon wasn’t a football fan at all or into sports,, His dad, however, was a Liverpool supporter and it was on his suggestion that they include former Reds great Albert Stubbins on the album cover of Sgt. Wikimedia Commons George Harrison is considered to be the Beatle with the least interest in the sport, or was at least the member the most careful to dismiss any allegiances to either team in Liverpool by stating: “There are three teams in Liverpool, and I prefer the other one.” Curiously, Ringo Starr appears to be an Arsenal fan.
His stepfather was from London and would take Ringo to Anfield or Goodison whenever the Gunners played an away game. However, according to Thompson, Ringo grew knowledgeable about the Reds and both of his sons have season tickets at Anfield. The most obvious connection between the Beatles and football, though, is a telegram sent by the foursome to Liverpool manager Bill Shankly in 1965, wishing the Reds fortune in their upcoming FA Cup final.
The telegram is on display at the Shankly Hotel in Liverpool, and reads: “Best of luck lads, we’ll be watching on the tele. John, Paul, George and Ringo.” : The Beatles: The football teams Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr & George Harrison supported | Goal.com UK