George Harrison, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Ringo Starr were all born in Liverpool, England in the 40s. They obviously became known for being members of The Beatles, which became one of the most influential bands of all time.
But they were not only interested in music, at least some of them liked sports and some of them football. So which are the football teams each member of the Beatles supported.
The football teams each member of the Beatles supported
Paul McCartney – Everton and Liverpool, but Everton is the n.1
It might be something unthinkable for football fans but yes, Paul McCartney said that he supports Everton and Liverpool, rival teams. He said that in an interview with Wired in 2018 (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage).
“Ok, now that’s a long story. My dad was born in Everton, which is the other Liverpool team. So officially I’m an Everton fan because that’s our family team. But I knew the players and the managers of Liverpool years ago and they did so great, they were big fans of mine. So I’m a Liverpool and Everton fan. I know it’s not strictly allowed but I got special dispensation from the Pope,” Paul McCartney said.
However, he said in another interview that if he had to pick one, it would be Everton. The team, founded in Liverpool in 1878, has won nine league titles and several cups. However, their most recent major title was the FA Cup in the 1994/1995 season.
Liverpool FC, on the other hand, is much more successful than Everton in terms of titles. Founded in 1892, Liverpool is the most successful English team in the Champions League, having won the competition six times. They are also the second-most successful team in terms of league titles, with 19, just one behind Manchester United, who have won 20.
Ringo Starr – Arsenal
Although the drummer Ringo Starr was born in Liverpool, he is reportedly a fan of the London team Arsenal. The reason is because his stepfather Harry Graves, who was from London, was a fan of the team.
Ringo really considered him to be his dad, because his real father left the family when he was only three and he liked Harry so much that he considered him his father. He said that in an interview for Masterclass (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage).
“My stepdad was the best man in the world. He was such a peaceful, great guy. I loved him. He was my dad. My dad left when I was three. Anyway I’d have my stuff playing and it’s just like one of those great memories. He never said: ‘Get that shit off!’ like most fathers are being known to do.”
“Never put what I was playing down. He always said: ‘Have you hear this (album or music)?’ I feel today because the way I play, that I can’t play straigtht Rock. I hit it like straight Rock but it sort of… It always had like 2% shuffle. And I think that’s because of him!” Ringo Starr said.
Arsenal was formed in 1886 in London and is one of the most famous British teams. They have won the Premier League 13 times and FA Cup 14 times.
Ringo Starr is also a fan of American Football
In the United States they have another kind of football and Ringo Starr is a big fan of it too. He said in an interview with Jimmy Kimmel in 2022 (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage) how his passion began.
“I do (watch NFL Football). (The Rams are my team) in L.A. (laughs). It came to a point with the Dodgers and the Rams, you had to pick one. I’m from Liverpool where you have Liverpool and Everton. The city is divided for one team or the other. So my big (American football team) is Dallas. In the mid-70s I came into L.A. I was staying a while and I went over to some guy’s house and Dallas was playing. (So) I picked a team. I rooted for the ‘Cowboys’ and my next team was the Steelers.
“I actually was so involved with Dallas, the team and the girls (laughs) that I went to Dallas to buy a house. We flew there my friend and I, we looked at houses, went shopping, bought a pair of boots and we got back on the plane (laughs),” Ringo Starr said.
George Harrison loved Formula 1
The Beatles guitarist George Harrison was not a big fan of football, his favorite sport was Formula 1. He went to races during all his career and had the chance to become a close friend of many drivers, like the Brazilian world champion Emerson Fittipaldi.
Harrison even was a guest commentator for Eurosport channel of the 1994 Australian Grand Prix at Adelaide. He even had the chance to race a few times as as a guest, but obviously not on official competitions
In an interview with Montreal TV in 2000 (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage) he explained why he liked Formula 1. He was asked if wanted to be a Formula 1 driver and he said: “No, I never. (I like to go to races because) it’s just a hobby, it’s a soap opera, a big soap opera. So I like to see the soap opera and how it develops.”
He was then asked if he liked to drive his own car fast. He revealed that he liked when he was young but as he got older he started to drive very slow, joking that at the moment he was driving only a wheelchair,” George Harrison said.
On the other hand, George’s son Dhani already was spotted watching Liverpool matches.
John Lennon – was not into sports
John Lennon was the Beatle less interested in sports as the band’s historian Ray O’Brien told North Wales Live. Lennon’s father was a Liverpool fan but he left the family when John was quite young, so he wasn’t influenced by his father to become a football fan. So maybe that was one of the reasons why he didn’t get into any sports and preferred arts.
“Unusually, for four lads from Liverpool, the Beatles didn’t seem to have a great interest in football,” Beatles historian Ray O’Brien said.
Although he wasn’t a big fan of any teams, he mentions the player Matt Busby in the lyrics of “Dig It” from “Let It Be” (1970). Also on the cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), Liverpool player Albert Stubbins is the only footballer among the featured personalities.