East Perth Forever celebrates 60 years

Former East Perth and Geelong great, John K. Watts, wrote East Perth Forever in 1954.

The song is sung to the tune of Anchors Aweigh. 

Watts also wrote the theme song of Geelong Football Club (We are Geelong) following the club's 1963 premiership.

At the time the closest version to a club song the Royals had was a personalised version of ‘We’re a Mob of Drongos’. 

Whilst on an interstate trip to Shepparton and Melbourne, Eric Sweet and ‘Knocker’ Bruce suggested a new theme song be created. Watts took on the role as he played the piano and spent a lot of time writing.

After a few weeks, one night after training JK hopped on the piano in the old clubrooms and started singing what we now know as East Perth Forever. 

When asked when his favourite rendition was, JK simply said when the 1956 team led by Jack Sheedy defeated South Fremantle in the grand final.