I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts … but why?
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There have been many theories as to why I've Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts will be forever associated with Cambridge United. Some say it was a favoured singalong on supporters' coaches in the 1950s, others that the man in charge of the Tannoy in days gone by was a Billy Cotton fan.
We asked U's fans for their memories of Coconuts, and struck gold with the memories of long-term supporter Robin Mansfield. Thanks to him, we can now reveal the truth behind the mystery. Robin recalls: 'I was first taken to the United when I was nine in 1955 by a neighbour called Jack Morgan. Jack was the public announcer who had the bright idea of playing I’ve Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts sung by the Billy Cotton Band. It was he who first decided to play that record whenever we had a win. 'I asked Jack why he chose that particular record. His reply was: "It was purely accidental. I had a pile of records in front of me and thought that one would do!" He just carried on playing it and the tradition continues to the present day.' And so it does. Whenever the U's win at the Abbey you'll hear the breezy strains of Coconuts at the final whistle. We've even heard it played at Wembley in celebration of U's victories (of which there have been three). The song written by Fred Heatherton in 1944 is as strongly connected with Cambridge United as You'll Never Walk Alone is with Liverpool and I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles is with West Ham. The song is so clearly imprinted in United fans' consciousnesses that, when Cambridge Fans United chairman Dave Matthew-Jones set about creating this website's predecessor in 2012 to mark the club's centenary, it was natural that he should turn to Coconuts for a name. Listen to the original, above right, and sing along: Oh, I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts. There they are all standing in a row. Big ones, small ones, some as big as your head. 'Give 'em a twist, a flick of the wrist,' That's what the showman said. Oh! I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts. Every ball you throw will make me rich. There stands me wife, The idol of me life, Singing roll a bowl, a ball, a penny a pitch. Singing, roll a bowl a ball a penny a pitch. Roll a bowl a ball a penny a pitch. Roll a bowl a ball. Roll a bowl a ball. Singing, roll a bowl a ball a penny a pitch. 
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All about 100 Years of CoconutsContact us
The 100 Years of Coconuts online museum is maintained by a group of volunteers. They would love to hear from you if you have any stories, photographs, memorabilia or other material to share. Please use the contact form or email: 100yearsofcoconuts@gmail.com Coconuts has a strong presence on social media. Find and 'like' us on Facebook at facebook.com/pages/100-Years-of-Coconuts/240094772737189?fref=ts and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/100yearcoconut Events Coconuts organises a regular programme of events featuring personalities from the history of Cambridge United. For details, check regularly on this site and on the above social media sites. Credits Many photographs, scrapbooks, newspaper cuttings and memorabilia on this site have been supplied by Cambridge United players, supporters and their families, to whom Coconuts expresses its grateful thanks. Coconuts is indebted to the Cambridge News for the use of photographs from its archives – including the iconic shot of Alan Biley scoring yet again you see at the head of every page. Credit also goes to Cambridge United's official photographer, Simon Lankester, for the use of his brilliant photography. The work of authors including Paul M Daw (United in Endeavour: A History of Abbey United/Cambridge United FC 1912-1988) and Kevin Palmer (Cambridge United: 101 Golden Greats) has been invaluable in putting together many aspects of this website. Thanks go to them and to other sources of wisdom and knowledge. The biggest thank you goes to the players, supporters, directors and staff of Abbey United and Cambridge United – and to every visitor to this site. Please call again 100 Years of Coconuts is a permanently evolving online museum and has a rolling programme of additions and developments. Please check regularly to keep abreast of new material. |
The history of Happy Harry
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U's supporters of a certain age will recognise the character – we call him Happy Harry – dancing a jig in the 100 Years of Coconuts logo.
Back in the 60s and 70s, the Cambridge Evening News, as it was then, published a Saturday evening sports edition called the Light Blue. Reports from all that day's sporting action in the Cambridge area could be found in its pages, which were printed on – you guessed it – light blue paper. The Light Blue was rapidly put together, printed and rushed to impatient fans at news outlets throughout the county in a fleet of CEN vans. |
If you didn't already know how the U's had got on that day, a glance at the front page would tell you. If United had won, a cartoon 'Happy Harry' would appear in celebratory mood, as in our logo. If they'd drawn or lost, Harry would be sporting a rueful expression.
We're grateful to the Cambridge News for permission to use Happy Harry to represent 100 Years of Coconuts, and grateful thanks go to illustrator and designer Ben Hooley for capturing the spirit of Happy Harry so brilliantly. |
100 Years of Coconuts volunteers: Barry Benton, Nigel Browne, Alan Burge, Martin Chapman, Ian Elliott, Andrew Fox, Jane Gilmour, Annabelle Glancy, Wendy Glancy, Gina Heath, Michael Hrebeniak, David Matthew-Jones, Tom McGrane, Patrick Morgan, Rodney Slack, Emma Smith, Brian Thorby, Richard Toombs, Anouska & Rafferty Wright. They also served: Mike Barnes, Andrew Bennett RIP, John Bilboa, Gill Cannell, Kai Day, Marcus Gynn RIP, Lindsey Holmes, Will Ingram, Ben Lee, Terry O'Dell, Becky Proctor, Ken Sneath, Rhiannon Swanser.