TDOT magazine > toronto >

The Hooligans page 2

As the game would come to an end, the real fun would begin. A gauntlet would be run between coppers and the brashest of opposing supporters. Supporters would fight running battles with each other, as the visiting fans did as much damage as possible, with locals trying to defend their turf. Back in the 80's Leeds and Chelsea were known for having fierce 'firms'. Chelsea was notorious for its link to the National Front; an underground neo-nazi group who has waged an endless war against immigrants and others who threaten the British way. Liverpool and Manchester United were also well known for their jaunts into European territory with Liverpool thugs perhaps immortalizing themselves at the Heysel disaster (The 1985 European Cup final played between Liverpool and Juventus). Before the match had started, sets of rival fans had fought with one another in the stands. During the melee, 39 people were killed and over four hundred were injured. The then Liverpool manager Joe Fagan had pleaded with the supporters: "Get back to your seats and be sensible. This is a football match." But Joe was wrong. This wasn't a football match. This was war. It was the English way of life against everything else. It was about Britain, the queen mother and Monty Python.

Many have tired to explain the social phenomena of the hooligan. A working class kid who has become bored and fed up with unemployment and tenement housing and only has Saturday afternoon to look forward to. But what about today? The hooligan element still exists in a time of increasing economic prosperity. This fact makes me shudder when I hear cries for a return to terracing to ensure that the so-called 'real' supporters can afford to return to games. People fear that the increased commercialism of the sport has taken away the intense atmosphere of the past. It worries me that people can be so naïve. We still hear of incidences these days and a return to terracing is sure to result in another Heysel. Lower division clubs still deal with trouble, as they don't have the financial clout of your Manchester Uniteds or Arsenals to fight back. Fans of Millwal and Cambridge United insist on reveling in the exploits of their predecessors and strive to step out of their shadows. The English press has made known hooligans like Paul Dodd (www.pauldodd.com) pin up boys. Groups such as Combat 18 still target foreign players, threatening their lives if they remain in the country. In Scotland, the sectarian hatred of the Old Firm is always at boiling point. It seems that a moment of complacency will be disastrous. The reason tournaments like France 98 and Euro 2000 passed with minimal trouble is because of the joint efforts of police forces across Europe. The thugs haven't grown up or disappeared. People simply decided enough is enough. Today professional workers, who earn a healthy salary, like barristers and accountants are among those organizing firms. Hooliganism is a lifestyle. Any one who likes to drink, abuse drugs and get a rush from the 'aggro' is waiting for the Saturday's of old to return. So the generals are fighting their wars with their young 'nutter' armies. But what for? For Fun? It seems that's the case and so I think if we return to the days of old I'll settle for my couch or at most the local on Saturday afternoon.

Cheers,

BAZ