Pete Best reveals John Lennon had footy dreams before Beatle stardom
by Shaun Holden
Monday, April 20, 2009
http://www.clickliverpool.com/news/national-news/123954-pete-best-reveals-john-lennon-had-footy-dreams-before-beatle-stardom.htmlBeatles legend John Lennon was a talented footballer with dreams of playing for Liverpool before the band shot to stardom.
The band's original drummer and Evertonian Pete Best has told how John always used to always have a ball at his feet, before they went to Hamburg.
Stickman Best was only with the group for two years, before being sacked and replaced by Ringo Starr in 1962, but fondly remembers having a kick-a-bout with John.
Being a lifelong Toffee-nose Pete dreamed of stepping out at Goodison and has been celebrating Everton's heroic FA Cup victory over Man Utd at Wembeley.
But Pete confessed that John Lennon had the best ball skills in the band.
He said: "John had the best skills in the band, he could play a little bit to be fair.
"We were in Hamburg for the majority of my time in the group, playing day and night, so there wasn't much time for us to watch football really.
"But we were always kicking a ball around when time allowed, like any youngsters.
"We weren't the best of footballers, but like every youngster we dreamed of playing for the big clubs.
"But we were never going to be good enough or put the training in, that's probably why we became musicians."
As The Beatles' star began to rise at The Cavern, Brian Epstein advised them to not pledge allegiance to either Liverpool or Everton for fear of dividing fans' loyalties.
Sir Paul McCartney had gone on the record to say that he supported both Liverpool and Everton, before recently admitting to preferring the blues.
He said: "My family are officially Evertonians, so if it came down to a derby match between the two, then I'd have to support Everton."
Best himself admitts to being a die-hard blue, not that it was his choice.
He said: "I was told at a very young age that Everton were my team and that they played in blue. There was no choice."
"But, I loved every minute of it and still do today. The minute you walk into Goodison Park there's just this buzz.
"David Moyes is an unsung hero for me. Everton were in a right state before he came and dug us out.
"He's made most of the money he's had and you can't do more than that."