Was anyone here a member of a football hooligan firm/gang in the 70s/80s/90s?

onemanarmy

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Scariest shit I've seen live was when I was in Buenos Aires. We went to see Independiente - Boca Juniors, with some Boca fans. We were with 5 friends, 3 guys, my girlfriend and another girl. Worst game I've ever seen live; 0-0. We were in the stand you see in the video below, video was taken by someone else at that specific game.. During the game, the Boca fans started throwing plastic bags with bleach over the fences and barb wire into the Independiente crowd below us. Black sweaters turned white in minutes. Crazy.


When we left the stadium, which was actually like a construction site at that moment, Boca fans started shouting at us (we were the obvious tourists), that we had to run. Independiente fans came from behind the corner, bricks from the construction site in their hands. I'm not easily scared and can stand my ground, but of course my girlfriend was there too. Boca fans helped u get in a van, which transported us to a bar full of Boca fans where we drank for hours afterwards :lol: Friends of us back home who knew we went to the game send us an email later with a link to a Belgium newspaper reporting about the game, as several people were injured badly. Eight people got shot by rubber bullets by the police too.

Couple of guys I know have been in quite a lot of fights here in Belgium. One of them drove his car in a bar full of opposing fans. Never got arrested for it, they treated it as an accident.
 

golden_blunder

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It’s just a hobby I guess. Some people do boxing as a hobby, which is basically trying to knock each other unconscious, or UFC which is even more violent. So, this just seem like an extension of that, but in groups rather than one on one, which is at least more sociable.
:lol:
I’d argue it’s anti-social behavior
 

golden_blunder

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I used to work in Amsterdam and 2 lads in the team beside me we’re mates during the week but would tell each other how they’d stab each other if they saw the other one at the match. One was a Juve ultra and the other an inter fan I think. One was Italian the other Turkish. The Italian guy used to come in with black eyes and one time with a broken arm. He’d say “next time I take my knives”. Just bonkers
 

Robertd0803

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Was in a near empty pub once for a United game back in 2007 ish and ended up sitting next to the only other person in the pub watching the game. Turned out he was also a United fan and had been part of that scene in the 70s/80s and told some pretty hair raising stories. One was one time the United fans ran off West Hams lot in their main pub and the respect that this earned meant the next time United played Leeds the Leeds group declared there would be no aggro that day because of running off the ICB.

Few more horror stories about trips to Birmingham as well. Lovely guy (and a bit random to come across) but scary as feck.
 

Falcow

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I get that to an extent but I’m sure that there are lots of decent people who grew up there too who didn’t resort to organised violent meetings to get their kicks? What really motivates these people and do they have the same motivations now?
Yes you are right, plenty of good people come from bad arears and homes but coming from such backgrounds/growing up on wrong side of the tracks increases the chances a person turning g out bad but certainly doesnt guarantee it. I'm no psychologist and am not a football hooligan (or any other kind of hooligan actually:)) but I really do think people tend to be a product of their environments, families, community, peer group etc. The power of influence is really huge.

Same motivations now? Dont think so, but if you have a tendency towards violence and are a bit of a psycho then I guess it will always be there.
 

Jim Beam

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Going on away match in Croatia kinda implies you are part of it as many aggressive people are within the group. Also, there is a chance you will get attacked by other fans once you got to the game. I did manage to mostly stay out of trouble except one time when the police started to kick everyone (they are also full of aggressive people and almost looking for a reason to go at you). Went for about 15 games or so during college days and stopped because it was just not worth it.

I also had bad experience on a United game in Milan. My 2nd away game and some moron from Man in black (as he said) started to give abuse about being gloryhunter and what the feck am I doing there. He was that stupid that even explaining him how much cost it took, about 16 hours travelling with a van, was not working in his pissed state to leave me alone. He somehow stopped after his friend went to have a chat with him. It is damn annoying when you put such an effort to see United play and a moron almost ruins it. I did have one similar situation at Anfield, but was much older and dealt with it much better. The problem first time was that I didn't expect it, but many United fans look down on fans from foreign countries.

Did anyone go the semi final against City at Wembley when we lost 1-0, Toure scored after a Carrick mistake, can't remember the year.

But anyway, clearly the local police or security underestimated how many police was needed for the day because I seen so many fights break out. Before the game, I seen a car full of United fans stuck in traffic and City fans were going upto the cars and shaking them, nearly tipping them over, trying to get in and throwing glass bottles etc. Seen 2-3 fights. A city fan was walking with his daughter who was about 14-16. United fans started shouting about wanting to shag her or words to the effect and started spitting at him and trying to drag her away, it was quite disgusting.

After the game, as I was walking back to the bus, I seen a scrap of about 50 lads, City v United. Got back on the bus, and 1-2 of the lads were late so we were stuck, with City fans now surrounding the bus trying to get on and again throwing stuff at the bus. Quite a bad experience considering I was badly hungover and just seen us lose £1-0 after paying £100 for a ticket outside.
Was a bit late and didn't notice much before the game, but after the game it started to kick off everywhere. Near the ground police did have some control, but it continued in the streets and tube stations.

That story about young girl is sickening.

Oh, the game as a bonus was proper shit as you said.
 

blue blue

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I get that to an extent but I’m sure that there are lots of decent people who grew up there too who didn’t resort to organised violent meetings to get their kicks? What really motivates these people and do they have the same motivations now?
People from all walks of life have successfully taken to football hooliganism. Some very respectable people have received banning orders and lost their jobs.

They are motivated by the adrenaline rush of physical violence. Most of them talk about it as an addiction. The motivation to take part will vary from person to person and depend on their chosen variety of hooliganism. Basic pitch invasions tended to be made up of young guys out for a laugh, albeit misguided, to stabbings that are generally carried out by homicidal maniacs who have lost control of their minds.
 

Deery

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My 2 uncles were at a match one time early 90s not sure which game somewhere in London. They were in the home end when some old guy about 60 odd started cheering when the other team scored, they said a few hooligans kicked the shit out of him and pissed all over him.
 

Bestofthebest

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Anyone remember the Bovver boys with their Doc Martins boots, half mast pants and team scarves tied around their wrists. What a load of plonkers!!!
 

MrMarcello

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Searched for the Bradford City/United incident and found this site with multiple reports of fan violence. The incident in question is halfway down the page in chronological order. http://www.asromaultras.org/incidentiinghilterra2000-01.html

Bradford City v Manchester United 13/01/01 - Premier League
During this game rival supporters clashed with each other inside the stadium. Several fights erupted and there was spitting and verbal abuse between the supporters. Several arrests were made. At the end of the match there were sporadic outbursts of fighting between the rival groups. A section of the Manchester United supporters made their way to the city centre. This group fought with anyone who challenged them on route. As the Manchester group passed through Centenary Square individual fights occurred between rival groups.
 

McGrathsipan

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in 2010 me and three of my brothers were in the Bishops Blaze the night before a match and got talking to this older lad. He was a bit mad, a bit of the edge but friendly.
He offered to buy our tickets from us. It was Liverpool at home so we told him to Fck off in a nice way and my brother bought him a pint. Anyway we stayed until closing time with this lad coming over to our table every once in a while clearly happy with the fact we didnt sell the tickets, we didnt have them on us anyway.
So at closing he comes up and says lads I live around the corner if you all want to come back for a few beers, there was a few more coming from town later too he said. The house was one of the little red brick ones behind the pub. Literally under the South Stand. I was dubious as he looked a bit mental but my brothers were like feck it there is 4 of us if he kicks off. So we went back and he produced a slab of shite beer and took out the hash. He then starts talking about cracking skulls and fighting at matches all through the 80s and 90s, jail etc. Starts showing scars from stab wounds and bat smacks etc. he was getting tense. I was getting a tad concerned. Two other similar aged men arrived about 1am, went to the kitchen and said nothing.

Our host then produced a book about Manchester united hooligans and there he was smack bang in the middle of the cover. It was him, he was the head of some firm of hooligans and someone had written a book about him/them. A few mins later he appeared to doze and me and the brothers left as quick as we could. It probably would have been ok but just to be cautious we didnt want to stay and find out. I think his name was Steve or Tony something or other.

Thats about as close as I got.

The funny thing is my brother nicked the book. :lol: So I will ring him later and see if still has it.
 

Peter van der Gea

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Back in the late 80s Padr81 was a proud member of the Galway United Dirtbags. All 2 of us used to wreak havoc till the other guy got grounded and my parents moved me to Clare.
The Fresh Prince of Clare
 

Sandikan

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Back when I supported West Ham I was in the GSE (Green Street Elite) . As I wasn’t from East London I had to adopt the accent and it was god awful. Anyway got into loads of scraps, most notable with the Red Army, Birmingham Zoolos, Yid Army and Millwalls NGO.
Actually had my brothers wife brother come over from American too and join us. He was well short but could handle himself well. Anyway gave it up after a clash with the Millwall lot. Tommy Hatchet, Millwalls head guy, beat the shit out of me so I gave it up. Good times though..

Now I‘m more into being a biker...
Actually took me to the american bit to clock this!!
 

Mo Caine

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I remember a fair bit of this in Scotland in the late 80s, strangely the old firm clubs weren’t really rated as a force to be reckoned with.


Aberdeen and Hibs were the top crews. I’d go all around the country with mates watching games and seen some pretty bad stuff. Remember once on a Edinburgh to Glasgow train a group of about 30 or 40 Hibs fans caused carnage hitting / bottling anyone that moved.

Also been in a few pubs that got turned over. Seemed exciting at the time, batshit crazy in retrospect.
i remember Pringle jumpers being part of their uniform up here in Scotland, but it was really just 'kids'' in their teens to early 20's, still arseholes though, in England it seemed to be grown men

the only violence i've seen at football was Roma away in 2007 and that was the italian cops,
 

Zexstream

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Was in Spain during the 2018 World Cup, went to a British Bar to take in the Atmosphere for the England Games, well it was an experience! The passion, singing and patriotism was a sight to behold, the unity between all club fans be it United, Millwall or Leeds.

But Christ, the hostility directed to anyone not English, it was a tinderbox and trouble did kick off a few times after the games, kept well out of it.

Ill never forget the singing of10 German bombers though!
 

UnRational

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in 2010 me and three of my brothers were in the Bishops Blaze the night before a match and got talking to this older lad. He was a bit mad, a bit of the edge but friendly.
He offered to buy our tickets from us. It was Liverpool at home so we told him to Fck off in a nice way and my brother bought him a pint. Anyway we stayed until closing time with this lad coming over to our table every once in a while clearly happy with the fact we didnt sell the tickets, we didnt have them on us anyway.
So at closing he comes up and says lads I live around the corner if you all want to come back for a few beers, there was a few more coming from town later too he said. The house was one of the little red brick ones behind the pub. Literally under the South Stand. I was dubious as he looked a bit mental but my brothers were like feck it there is 4 of us if he kicks off. So we went back and he produced a slab of shite beer and took out the hash. He then starts talking about cracking skulls and fighting at matches all through the 80s and 90s, jail etc. Starts showing scars from stab wounds and bat smacks etc. he was getting tense. I was getting a tad concerned. Two other similar aged men arrived about 1am, went to the kitchen and said nothing.

Our host then produced a book about Manchester united hooligans and there he was smack bang in the middle of the cover. It was him, he was the head of some firm of hooligans and someone had written a book about him/them. A few mins later he appeared to doze and me and the brothers left as quick as we could. It probably would have been ok but just to be cautious we didnt want to stay and find out. I think his name was Steve or Tony something or other.

Thats about as close as I got.

The funny thing is my brother nicked the book. :lol: So I will ring him later and see if still has it.
Great story, I actually know the bloke you're talking about well
I'll let him know you have his book.
 

McGrathsipan

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Great story, I actually know the bloke you're talking about well
I'll let him know you have his book.
I rang me brother and me brother told me his name. Which I wont print here.
He still has the book. :nervous:;)
 

Inigo Montoya

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Was in Spain during the 2018 World Cup, went to a British Bar to take in the Atmosphere for the England Games, well it was an experience! The passion, singing and patriotism was a sight to behold, the unity between all club fans be it United, Millwall or Leeds.

But Christ, the hostility directed to anyone not English, it was a tinderbox and trouble did kick off a few times after the games, kept well out of it.

Ill never forget the singing of10 German bombers though!
Pathetic

Nothing but racism
 

Cee90

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I rang me brother and me brother told me his name. Which I wont print here.
He still has the book. :nervous:;)
Tony O'Neill? He now works with Webby on their YouTube channel. He also managed the doors at Hotel Football if I recall.
 

stevoc

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Always found the idea a bit pathetic to be honest . Grown men who can only fight if they greatly outnumber the other person .

Seemed like they were in denial about something too. I suppose it would be interesting to see what happens them twenty years down the line
Don't think that was the case was it?

Pretty sure it was just gangs who arranged to meet up and have a scrap, given the nature of it i doubt there was any point trying to agree on set numbers for each side beforehand.
 

1966

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I'm fully on board with the "create Hunger Games zones for people who like this sort of thing to do it without risk to anyone else" agenda.
 

1966

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Don't think that was the case was it?

Pretty sure it was just gangs who arranged to meet up and have a scrap, given the nature of it i doubt there was any point trying to agree on set numbers for each side beforehand.
Yeah, I always thought the idea was to have a fair fight (when "properly" executed). When there was a scrap involving fans of my local National League side a while back, it was widely known in advance that there would be 20-30 opponents. I have nothing to do with that stuff but I'd imagine it would've been easy to get together a group of roughly equivalent size.
 

1966

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My 2 uncles were at a match one time early 90s not sure which game somewhere in London. They were in the home end when some old guy about 60 odd started cheering when the other team scored, they said a few hooligans kicked the shit out of him and pissed all over him.
fecking hell. That's grim.

As a counterpoint, shoutout to the Everton fans who didn't kill me after I yelled a bunch of pro-Spurs stuff in the away end of a match in which they got stuffed 4-0.

Because me and my friends are mostly club neutrals and we're doing the 92, we end up in a ton of situations where we're cheering for the wrong team in the wrong section. We've never had more than the odd "cnut" thrown our way. Plus a few bottles on one specific occasion, and that's it.

Reading this thread would give anyone the impression that we're lucky to be alive. I wanted to provide some perspective. A lot or the stories in here seem to take place abroad. England itself isn't anything like as dangerous as it used to be after going through earlier reforms than most other countries.
 
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RedPed

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Back when I supported West Ham I was in the GSE (Green Street Elite) . As I wasn’t from East London I had to adopt the accent and it was god awful. Anyway got into loads of scraps, most notable with the Red Army, Birmingham Zoolos, Yid Army and Millwalls NGO.
Actually had my brothers wife brother come over from American too and join us. He was well short but could handle himself well. Anyway gave it up after a clash with the Millwall lot. Tommy Hatchet, Millwalls head guy, beat the shit out of me so I gave it up. Good times though..

Now I‘m more into being a biker...
The almost seamless transition to being a copper kinda makes sense now.
 

Deery

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fecking hell. That's grim.

As a counterpoint, shoutout to the Everton fans who didn't kill me after I yelled a bunch of pro-Spurs stuff in the away end of a match in which they got stuffed 4-0.

Because me and my friends are mostly club neutrals and we're doing the 92, we end up in a ton of situations where we're cheering for the wrong team in the wrong section. We've never had more than the odd "cnut" thrown our way. Plus a few bottles on one specific occasion, and that's it.

Reading this thread would give anyone the impression that we're lucky to be alive. I wanted to provide some perspective. A lot or the stories in here seem to take place abroad. England itself isn't anything like as dangerous as it used to be after going through earlier reforms than most other countries.
Yeah, this was back nearly 30 years ago so was much different back then. Luckily things are much different nowadays and you can cheer on a team without the fear of being attacked or abused.
 

Red00012

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I’ve met someone who was in an Everton firm and one who was a PNE hooligan. The PNE fella is one of the soundest blokes I’ve worked with. Had him do work for me for years (I’m a PM and he’s a contractor) and he’s easily the most helpful I’ve worked with.

He took us out for an xmas do in a box at PNE and I got him to spill the beans on it, but I can’t actually remember what he said because I was leathered.
:lol: :lol: :lol:
 

Red00012

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in 2010 me and three of my brothers were in the Bishops Blaze the night before a match and got talking to this older lad. He was a bit mad, a bit of the edge but friendly.
He offered to buy our tickets from us. It was Liverpool at home so we told him to Fck off in a nice way and my brother bought him a pint. Anyway we stayed until closing time with this lad coming over to our table every once in a while clearly happy with the fact we didnt sell the tickets, we didnt have them on us anyway.
So at closing he comes up and says lads I live around the corner if you all want to come back for a few beers, there was a few more coming from town later too he said. The house was one of the little red brick ones behind the pub. Literally under the South Stand. I was dubious as he looked a bit mental but my brothers were like feck it there is 4 of us if he kicks off. So we went back and he produced a slab of shite beer and took out the hash. He then starts talking about cracking skulls and fighting at matches all through the 80s and 90s, jail etc. Starts showing scars from stab wounds and bat smacks etc. he was getting tense. I was getting a tad concerned. Two other similar aged men arrived about 1am, went to the kitchen and said nothing.

Our host then produced a book about Manchester united hooligans and there he was smack bang in the middle of the cover. It was him, he was the head of some firm of hooligans and someone had written a book about him/them. A few mins later he appeared to doze and me and the brothers left as quick as we could. It probably would have been ok but just to be cautious we didnt want to stay and find out. I think his name was Steve or Tony something or other.

Thats about as close as I got.

The funny thing is my brother nicked the book. :lol: So I will ring him later and see if still has it.
Tony O Neill ! He’d be well known , he does part time security for Gary Nevilles hotel now I think :D
 

Ryan Bobson

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Have a read of Red Army General and Men in Black it documents Uniteds firms from the 70s upto the early 2000's
 

simplyared

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Remember the Ashton mob in the late 60's, and a guy who went by name Nutty Norman who it was said was as hard as nails. Stretford enders all of em. Caused havoc before, during and after the game. Myself I was just a lad from Fallowfield who just loved following the Red Devils.