| Captain Jack 15:06 - Nov 9 with 4095 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
As someone whose never really got involved with the hooligan scene, what’s the origin of this chant? |  | | |  |
| Captain Jack on 15:06 - Nov 9 with 4048 views | Northernr |
I thought it was an old army marching tune  |  | | |
| Captain Jack on 17:33 - Nov 9 with 3812 views | Suffolk |
Pretty sure it is an old sailor's song that has had many of the words changed to accommodate football hooliganism. [Post edited 9 Nov 2022 17:34]
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| Captain Jack on 21:03 - Nov 9 with 3625 views | Lblock |
It's the song adopted by our original tidy little firm back in the day known as CMob
These lads banded together as they were sick of liberties being taken by other clubs.
The leader was a feared man who was an ex Royal Navy sailor who when he got de-mobbed ended up working for London Underground. Funnily enough his name wasn't Jack but his nickname was Captain due to the Navy connection, no idea why ended up being called Jack but there you go.
The song grew legs one away day at Derby County when Jack had asked everyone to meet him after work by Ladbroke Grove station and a coach of proper geezers, 52 strong plus a couple of add on's standing room room only, headed up the M1. The drinking started early doors and due to the request to meet him by the station the bit "meet me by the railway track" came into play.
This was late 70's so de riguer was the blue and white scarf tied around the wrist which was exactly how the Captain emerged from work that day -- "with a scarf (in his) hand".
You will of course be aware of the stories of the coach basically being an off licensee on wheels so there were actually 50 plus "drinking men" getting absolutely bollox'd that day. I understand the chant did grow from some sort of military drill shout that the words were changed from and randomly added to with the worst bit coming from a lad known as Mark the Knife (said nickname purloined from the Bobby Darren song Mack the Knife).
So it just grew and became the meet up song of the day across the 70's and early 80's.
It's stuck in it's original format even though most of the attendees that day changed with the scene in 1988 onwards. Most grew their hair, wore dungarees and immersed themselves in the hedonism of the Acid House scene which was massive in Ladbroke Grove due to Norman Jay's influence.
Sadly the Captain passed away in 1987 in a boating accident.
His sail boat was involved in a collision with a scrapyard tug on the Thames when his girlfriend of the time was at the wheel (she survived as had a lifebelt on). Tragically Jack's last words confused the poor lady and she didn't know which way to turn the wheel as he shouted out "Go left, right, left... go left, go right.." BANG and they sank in a stretch with terrible currents.
RIP Captiain -- your legend lives on.
I love it as a footy song as I think it's one can really call our own and it's not shouted out enough by us for my money. |  |
| Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal |
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| Captain Jack on 21:08 - Nov 9 with 3616 views | Discodroids |
I recall reading 'The Blade Business Crew' by Steve Cowan, Paul Heatons Body guard at Beautiful South Gigs... There was a page devoted to a QPR Hoolie called 'Greg' who Cowan called a 'sawn off casual' due to his midget like status.
Anyone remember him?.
Edit, i also recall in the further parameters of my synapse, a QPR Hoolie called Andy, A black lad from Plaistow active around the mid 90's. [Post edited 9 Nov 2022 21:11]
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| 'Mecca Archer!.. There'll be no more talk of Mecca in this establishment!' |
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| Captain Jack on 21:13 - Nov 9 with 3589 views | Lblock |
| Captain Jack on 21:08 - Nov 9 by Discodroids |
I recall reading 'The Blade Business Crew' by Steve Cowan, Paul Heatons Body guard at Beautiful South Gigs... There was a page devoted to a QPR Hoolie called 'Greg' who Cowan called a 'sawn off casual' due to his midget like status.
Anyone remember him?.
Edit, i also recall in the further parameters of my synapse, a QPR Hoolie called Andy, A black lad from Plaistow active around the mid 90's. [Post edited 9 Nov 2022 21:11]
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Still goes when not banned!!!
Mentioned in quite a few books actually is Mark and always famed for his "height" | |
| Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal |
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| Captain Jack on 21:16 - Nov 9 with 3572 views | CroydonCaptJack |
I note the absence of the "knife and stabbing man" verse in today's version sung. Probably wise. |  |
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| Captain Jack on 21:21 - Nov 9 with 3557 views | Discodroids |
| Captain Jack on 21:13 - Nov 9 by Lblock |
Still goes when not banned!!!
Mentioned in quite a few books actually is Mark and always famed for his "height" |
Cheers Goody!. It's good to know i'm not going frankie fraser rampton romper suit insane with my memory...
I had a mate that worked as press secretary for Stevanage borough when they played Keegans newcastle united in the FA CUP, '98
He was interviewed by John Stapleton on GMTV before the game about their chances , and mY mate came out with the classic... 'It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog'.
That Was Greg. [Post edited 9 Nov 2022 21:22]
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| 'Mecca Archer!.. There'll be no more talk of Mecca in this establishment!' |
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| Captain Jack on 21:41 - Nov 9 with 3491 views | QPsyR |
| Captain Jack on 21:03 - Nov 9 by Lblock |
It's the song adopted by our original tidy little firm back in the day known as CMob
These lads banded together as they were sick of liberties being taken by other clubs.
The leader was a feared man who was an ex Royal Navy sailor who when he got de-mobbed ended up working for London Underground. Funnily enough his name wasn't Jack but his nickname was Captain due to the Navy connection, no idea why ended up being called Jack but there you go.
The song grew legs one away day at Derby County when Jack had asked everyone to meet him after work by Ladbroke Grove station and a coach of proper geezers, 52 strong plus a couple of add on's standing room room only, headed up the M1. The drinking started early doors and due to the request to meet him by the station the bit "meet me by the railway track" came into play.
This was late 70's so de riguer was the blue and white scarf tied around the wrist which was exactly how the Captain emerged from work that day -- "with a scarf (in his) hand".
You will of course be aware of the stories of the coach basically being an off licensee on wheels so there were actually 50 plus "drinking men" getting absolutely bollox'd that day. I understand the chant did grow from some sort of military drill shout that the words were changed from and randomly added to with the worst bit coming from a lad known as Mark the Knife (said nickname purloined from the Bobby Darren song Mack the Knife).
So it just grew and became the meet up song of the day across the 70's and early 80's.
It's stuck in it's original format even though most of the attendees that day changed with the scene in 1988 onwards. Most grew their hair, wore dungarees and immersed themselves in the hedonism of the Acid House scene which was massive in Ladbroke Grove due to Norman Jay's influence.
Sadly the Captain passed away in 1987 in a boating accident.
His sail boat was involved in a collision with a scrapyard tug on the Thames when his girlfriend of the time was at the wheel (she survived as had a lifebelt on). Tragically Jack's last words confused the poor lady and she didn't know which way to turn the wheel as he shouted out "Go left, right, left... go left, go right.." BANG and they sank in a stretch with terrible currents.
RIP Captiain -- your legend lives on.
I love it as a footy song as I think it's one can really call our own and it's not shouted out enough by us for my money. |
Pretty much spot on from what I heard and observed in later years.
Apart from the last bit about the "Go left, right, left... go left, go right.."*** and boat story where it could possibly be concluded that an element of some poetic licence has been introduced as that was sung since the late 70's as far as I was aware.
There was apparently going to be a new verse that incorporated dustbin lids and vanquished oppenents having to wear swim goggles to escape getting battered but no one could quite get the correct syntax to make it rhyme even after SAW were approached..
***I did hear that the 'Professor' AKA The Commander (in the Navy) who was one of the Captain's tidiest geezers wanted the left right left etc. line specifically included as it denotes the political parliamentary shift of the Belgium government over the renaissance period. However that's just a theory and unlike Lovejoy I have no provenance for that. [Post edited 10 Nov 2022 10:59]
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| Captain Jack on 21:47 - Nov 9 with 3455 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
| Captain Jack on 21:03 - Nov 9 by Lblock |
It's the song adopted by our original tidy little firm back in the day known as CMob
These lads banded together as they were sick of liberties being taken by other clubs.
The leader was a feared man who was an ex Royal Navy sailor who when he got de-mobbed ended up working for London Underground. Funnily enough his name wasn't Jack but his nickname was Captain due to the Navy connection, no idea why ended up being called Jack but there you go.
The song grew legs one away day at Derby County when Jack had asked everyone to meet him after work by Ladbroke Grove station and a coach of proper geezers, 52 strong plus a couple of add on's standing room room only, headed up the M1. The drinking started early doors and due to the request to meet him by the station the bit "meet me by the railway track" came into play.
This was late 70's so de riguer was the blue and white scarf tied around the wrist which was exactly how the Captain emerged from work that day -- "with a scarf (in his) hand".
You will of course be aware of the stories of the coach basically being an off licensee on wheels so there were actually 50 plus "drinking men" getting absolutely bollox'd that day. I understand the chant did grow from some sort of military drill shout that the words were changed from and randomly added to with the worst bit coming from a lad known as Mark the Knife (said nickname purloined from the Bobby Darren song Mack the Knife).
So it just grew and became the meet up song of the day across the 70's and early 80's.
It's stuck in it's original format even though most of the attendees that day changed with the scene in 1988 onwards. Most grew their hair, wore dungarees and immersed themselves in the hedonism of the Acid House scene which was massive in Ladbroke Grove due to Norman Jay's influence.
Sadly the Captain passed away in 1987 in a boating accident.
His sail boat was involved in a collision with a scrapyard tug on the Thames when his girlfriend of the time was at the wheel (she survived as had a lifebelt on). Tragically Jack's last words confused the poor lady and she didn't know which way to turn the wheel as he shouted out "Go left, right, left... go left, go right.." BANG and they sank in a stretch with terrible currents.
RIP Captiain -- your legend lives on.
I love it as a footy song as I think it's one can really call our own and it's not shouted out enough by us for my money. |
This is 100x more information than I expected.
Thanks LBlock.
I hope this goes in a book somewhere or someone writes a whole one on the subject! | | | |
| Captain Jack on 22:37 - Nov 9 with 3321 views | Lblock |
| Captain Jack on 21:47 - Nov 9 by BazzaInTheLoft |
This is 100x more information than I expected.
Thanks LBlock.
I hope this goes in a book somewhere or someone writes a whole one on the subject! |
I’ve often thought someone could write a pretty decent book about the Rs escapades on and off the terraces
There was a wind up rumour on original Fantasy Island years back that one was coming out.
I’ve read Dave Cas’s book which IIRC is called Casuals but that was really random tales from late 80’s and 90’s but it recalls a few tales and times I’m aware of.
Doesn’t really go into the CMob element too much and alas no mention of Captain Jack or his sad passing.
I’m sure none of us that followed the Rs away are any different - if you went with a bunch of like minded lads, liked a few beers, enjoyed the craic then you’ll have stories that could fill many chapters (hooligan related or not). Sadly those times just memories for me now but by Christ they’re good uns | |
| Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal |
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| Captain Jack on 01:18 - Nov 10 with 3097 views | Boston |
Captain Jack existed before C Mob. Though some were probably around, just a little bit on the young side to claim it.
The first time I heard the tune was on the train to 'that' Norwich game. Words were still being beaten out, but the general form was very much the same.
Who were the singers? Dunno. Just happened to be in the same carriage, probably six / eight of 'em bashing it out. We liked it. | |
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| Captain Jack on 01:19 - Nov 10 with 3096 views | Boston |
| Captain Jack on 15:06 - Nov 9 by Northernr |
I thought it was an old army marching tune |
Bolivian? | |
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| Captain Jack on 01:20 - Nov 10 with 3092 views | Boston |
| Captain Jack on 21:13 - Nov 9 by Lblock |
Still goes when not banned!!!
Mentioned in quite a few books actually is Mark and always famed for his "height" |
Haven't seen him since Palace away when we won 2-1. | |
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| Captain Jack on 08:17 - Nov 10 with 2892 views | Lblock |
| Captain Jack on 01:20 - Nov 10 by Boston |
Haven't seen him since Palace away when we won 2-1. |
I saw him at a couple of games last season
Don’t know the fella just know of him and a few that do know him | |
| Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal |
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| Captain Jack on 08:59 - Nov 10 with 2787 views | wombat |
| Captain Jack on 08:17 - Nov 10 by Lblock |
I saw him at a couple of games last season
Don’t know the fella just know of him and a few that do know him |
if its thr mark i know he used to have season tickets in the paddock and yes he was vertiically challanged , dosnt come to many games these days due to work , used to travel with england as well back in the day |  |
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| Captain Jack on 14:00 - Nov 10 with 2512 views | terryb |
| Captain Jack on 01:18 - Nov 10 by Boston |
Captain Jack existed before C Mob. Though some were probably around, just a little bit on the young side to claim it.
The first time I heard the tune was on the train to 'that' Norwich game. Words were still being beaten out, but the general form was very much the same.
Who were the singers? Dunno. Just happened to be in the same carriage, probably six / eight of 'em bashing it out. We liked it. |
I was never involved in fighting at football, but I'm fascinated by this thread!
Not to do with Captain Jack, but songs heard on a train that stick in your memory.
On the football special to Leeds in December 1973 (during the three day week & no floodlights to be used), There were a few twenty year olds singing two songs paying homage to Stanley that I never heard elsewhere.
Sorrow - The Merseys (David Bowie)
With his long blond hair
And his eyes so blue
His name is Stan
And he scores goals for you
STANLEY, STANLEY
My Friend Sam - Slade
My friend Stan is a footballing man
Stanley, Stanley
He scores goals like no others do
Stanley, Stanley
And by the look that's in your eyes
And the way he scored that goal
I see HE'S BEEN GETTING TO YOU
HE'S BEEN GETTING TO YOU
The lyrics are as I remember them & may not be what was actually sung!
Another memory is of away to Portsmouth in 1969 which has always baffled me.
Side by Side
They've taken our Flags & our Banner's
They've even taken our Spanner's
Bur we'll travel along
Singing our song
Side by Side
This was followed by a rendition of By The Light of the Silvery Moon! [Post edited 10 Nov 2022 14:08]
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| Captain Jack on 14:58 - Nov 10 with 2398 views | Boston |
| Captain Jack on 01:20 - Nov 10 by Boston |
Haven't seen him since Palace away when we won 2-1. |
Ah, thought we were talking about the black guy!
Mark y'mean ...oh yeah he's still about. I remember seeing him at Burton leading a small (9/10),crew of lads who were young enough to be his kids.😀 | |
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| Captain Jack on 15:50 - Nov 14 with 1965 views | CiderwithRsie |
Of course Billy Joel covered it on his seminal Piano Man album, after changing the words and all the music, replacing all references to post-match fights with references to drug use and masturbation, scarves on the wrist with "new English clothes" and changing the setting to New York, but I expect you already knew that, Bazza. | | | |
| Captain Jack on 16:01 - Nov 14 with 1939 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
| Captain Jack on 15:50 - Nov 14 by CiderwithRsie |
Of course Billy Joel covered it on his seminal Piano Man album, after changing the words and all the music, replacing all references to post-match fights with references to drug use and masturbation, scarves on the wrist with "new English clothes" and changing the setting to New York, but I expect you already knew that, Bazza. |
I make you right.
The lyrics to Always A Woman in Verse 3 suspiciously sounds like he's talking about Mick Beale when he leaves us for West Brom next summer.
https://genius.com/Billy-joel-shes-always-a-woman-lyrics
Prophetic.
PS Aren't all songs about masturbation technically seminal? [Post edited 14 Nov 2022 16:06]
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