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.
Was anyone here a member of a football hooligan firm/gang in the 70s/80s/90s?
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You arent allowed to bring someone else with you in the ring... the 'alone' part doesnt appeal to most of them.
Not United and not a member but seen some stuff. My dad used to own a pub in Edgeley where the Stockport hooligans used to congregate before the game. Because it was the main place it was a target for oppo fans. Back in the early 90’s you’d regularly get Stoke/Port Vale and others sending firms in to try and take the place or people on. I was in there for a day on a Saturday afternoon when Stoke came in, I remember the pub was absolutely packed, and it was a large pub, probably around 300 county fans in there all pretty smashed. I remember standing near the door having one of the first beers my dad had ever let me drink in his presence, and seeing this absolute mountain of a Stoke fan staring through the window, in my memory the guy was like Sandor Clegane. Two minutes later he'd walked in and was strutting through the place like he owned it with a load of other scrotes behind him. He got about ten metres into the pub before he got a glass ashtray over the back of his head and the rest of his gang started getting a beating. I remember all of them walking through and saw most of them run back out again less than 20 seconds later, but I don’t remember seeing big guy walk back out again.
On another occasion I also remember coming back from watching United on the special train back into Stockport when I was 14 with my mate. We were pretty much the only reds getting off there. County had been playing Stoke at the same time as United and the Stoke fans were waiting on our platform for their train home. I remember two of us getting off and having hundreds of Stoke fans surrounding us, spitting throwing cans and glass bottles at us and singing Munich songs, the police had to come and escort us off the platform. That shit was scary and I’ve fecking hated stoke fans ever since.
On another occasion I also remember coming back from watching United on the special train back into Stockport when I was 14 with my mate. We were pretty much the only reds getting off there. County had been playing Stoke at the same time as United and the Stoke fans were waiting on our platform for their train home. I remember two of us getting off and having hundreds of Stoke fans surrounding us, spitting throwing cans and glass bottles at us and singing Munich songs, the police had to come and escort us off the platform. That shit was scary and I’ve fecking hated stoke fans ever since.
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.
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.
God no, I'm way too upper class for that type of thuggery.
No comment
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.
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.
Ooh we have a live one. Explain yourself
From Feyenoord
?I remember the movie about Hooligans (Elijah Woods). There was FA Cups quarter final draw. Both Milwall and WHU supporters went mental when the last draw taken. It really put me off ( the movie). I mean, they should go mental before the last draw because they were the only 2 teams left.
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.
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.
No but I went to the derby when we won 3-2 with that late RVP free kick. Fights breaking out after the match. Was walking with my son and a few fans mostly middle aged guys when a load of City fans descended on us asking where we were from. One of our group with a marked London accent said " I'm a Spurs fan, just been given a ticket!" So they start punching and beating on him
Nothing serious mind, we just ran and laughed it off, putting on Manc accents which was easy as my son was at the University of Manchester anyway.Funny but nowhere near as bad as the 70s/80s when it was really serious. I'd never venture to away grounds. Leeds was terrible
Lord Of The Rings, I saw that movie too.
All kicked off at the end when the Millwall Orcs attacked the West Ham fans
Stockport are still awful for it. They’re a bit like United of the non-league world with a decent away following.
Unfortunately, they have a larger proportion of shitbags who follow them and they tend to travel purely to cause shit and scrap, which then causes the other teams to hate them and come to Stockport for retribution.
Stockport can, still, be a war zone on match days.
Cobblers.
I'm interested to know who this is
I probably know them or know of them. Besides, I'm always on the lookout for decent contractors!Castle Street always looks like a war zone.
There used to be a piece of gated off wasteland next to Edgeley Park. I remember the police once trying to keep away fans in there (think it was Stoke) until the home crowd dispersed. Unfortunately in their wisdom, they had locked 3 coppers in there with the away fans. Someone had to find the key before that went downhill
Never a member of a gang but saw some scary things in late sixties and early seventies, usually at away matches. Worst was going to see Utd play at Newcastle. The train pulled into the station and platform was full of Geordie fans and not a copper in site. It was mayhem for what appeared a long time but was probably only minutes. Bottles and other items being thrown at anybody and everybody. When police finally arrived they cleared platform and then marched Reds fans to ground as if we had been responsible. Only ever went to North East by car after that. Geordies are barmiest fans I’ve ever come across, closely followed by Leeds mob.
Is the current West Ham manager one of the survival?
My cousin who is a Chelsea fan got ripped from the right shoulder down to below the belly button on the left hand side, with a stanley knife.
There was 7 of them on the station, and one of our fans started jeering them. They ran at him but about 20 others were waiting around the corner, and all 7 of them ended up in hospital. They were some bad scuffles in the city in 70s and 80s. I have seen a lot of them, and police didn't hold back.
There was 7 of them on the station, and one of our fans started jeering them. They ran at him but about 20 others were waiting around the corner, and all 7 of them ended up in hospital. They were some bad scuffles in the city in 70s and 80s. I have seen a lot of them, and police didn't hold back.
I was a big member of the Cardiff City Soul Crew
I wasn’t :-)
I wasn’t :-)
I worked in the World's End on Stroud Green Road in Finsbury Park back in the early 90s. It was pretty much in between White Hart Lane and Highbury and a big gathering spot for Arsenal fans before a game. We had one afternoon when Spurs were playing Arsenal and a group of Spurs lads stormed the pub. The bar in there is a square one in the middle of the pub and we had running battles down both sides. Someone started chucking those huge glass ashtrays at the bar and smashing the spirits behind us. Our manager an Aussie, called Steve, grabbed the money from the till and rushed us all into the cellar (the entrance was behind the bar) and locked the door. We all sat down there until the police showed up, the pub was absolutely trashed while our manager sat on an empty barrel in cellar smoking and crying!
Same. This must have gone around most schools back in the 80's.My own hooligan story is this...
Was on a little tour of Europe 5/6 years back (France>Belgium>Holland) with a mate and we ended up in Rotterdam for the evening. We went to a couple of bars and then started to head back to the hotel when some dude and his mate stopped us in the street .... "You Ajax?" .... "erm no mate..." "Aah English! Who's your team?" .... I had to think quick on my feet here so I thought no way I'm saying Manchester United and decided to go with my home town of Leicester. "aah baby Squad! You fight?" FFS. Then he turns to my mate and asks him. For some reason he doesn't want to say Newcastle so goes with Derby ... "Aah sheep shaggers. What you guys doing here?"
So anyway this guy tells us his name is Wes and declared himself to be Hollands hardest football hooligan. He was acting kinda sketchy and his friend kept trying to pull him away. Actually seemed kind of upset that we didn't know who he was. I guess implicitly he assumed we were fellow English football hooligans due to his extensive knowledge of British football firms (i mean he rattled through a load more) and clear love for a fight. I could tell my mate thought we were going to get battered but truth be told he was ok and had sort of calmed down after he realised we weren't Ajax (I think they'd played Feyenoord that weekend). After a chat of about 10 mins or so he asked us if we liked coke and whether we wanted to come out with them and do a few lines to which I replied "No thanks Wes, probably just gonna head back to the hotel and get an early night. Cheers though."
I googled him when a while back and he's the dude in this video here
I've not idea what he's saying as the subtitles are shite.
So yeah, I think on the continent it definitely still goes on and there's a kind of romaticism of football hooliganism and especially the old British firms of the 80's.
A really sad subculture
Yes he goes by the name of Gollum but was called Sméagol
I have seen Holland and Germany supporters at it. Can get really rough. My mate Helmut Eifler got caught up in one horrendous battle. You have to fight your way out.
My own hooligan story is this...
Was on a little tour of Europe 5/6 years back (France>Belgium>Holland) with a mate and we ended up in Rotterdam for the evening. We went to a couple of bars and then started to head back to the hotel when some dude and his mate stopped us in the street .... "You Ajax?" .... "erm no mate..." "Aah English! Who's your team?" .... I had to think quick on my feet here so I thought no way I'm saying Manchester United and decided to go with my home town of Leicester. "aah baby Squad! You fight?" FFS. Then he turns to my mate and asks him. For some reason he doesn't want to say Newcastle so goes with Derby ... "Aah sheep shaggers. What you guys doing here?"
So anyway this guy tells us his name is Wes and declared himself to be Hollands hardest football hooligan. He was acting kinda sketchy and his friend kept trying to pull him away. Actually seemed kind of upset that we didn't know who he was. I guess implicitly he assumed we were fellow English football hooligans due to his extensive knowledge of British football firms (i mean he rattled through a load more) and clear love for a fight. I could tell my mate thought we were going to get battered but truth be told he was ok and had sort of calmed down after he realised we weren't Ajax (I think they'd played Feyenoord that weekend). After a chat of about 10 mins or so he asked us if we liked coke and whether we wanted to come out with them and do a few lines to which I replied "No thanks Wes, probably just gonna head back to the hotel and get an early night. Cheers though."
I googled him when a while back and he's the dude in this video here
I've not idea what he's saying as the subtitles are shite.
So yeah, I think on the continent it definitely still goes on and there's a kind of romaticism of football hooliganism and especially the old British firms of the 80's.
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It’s all a bit bizarre grown men who get on well at work with each other have a punch up at the weekend because of the team they support. Watching films or reading books on football hooligans and the fight is bigger than the game, in fact a lot dont even bother with the game itself.
growing up and attending games in the late 70s and early 80s I knew people who were part of the subway army it was hard to avoid in those days, but never been involved myself. The police always seemed to enjoy a good ruck.
growing up and attending games in the late 70s and early 80s I knew people who were part of the subway army it was hard to avoid in those days, but never been involved myself. The police always seemed to enjoy a good ruck.
Anyone go to Bradford away in 2001?
Was only a kid but remember that being very eventful...
Was only a kid but remember that being very eventful...
I recall the feyenoord hoolies killing the leader of the Ajax firm after a derby a while back
Not today officer
Never a part of anything like that but I went to a non league game at Wealdstone and this tiny man was battering that shit out of men 2, 3, 4 times his size. Apparently he was feared in the local area, even asked me if I wanted some. I turned down the offer.
This reminded of this article I've had bookmarked since I read it first https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-captain-launched-astonishing-attack-fan.html
Never in a firm myself. Had couple of run ins with Millwall fans in the early 90's for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Southeast London was a funny place at the time.
The barmiest guy I ever met was when I briefly dated a Serbian girl as an exchange student. Very sweet and pretty girl but her brother was a big Partizan fan and was part of a fan group called the Grobari if I remember correctly. Absolutely bonkers. The stories he would tell (he had the scars to match) would make me question his sanity. Imagine all the nastiness of football firms as you know it, but many of these lads had military experience and many of them access to weapons.
The barmiest guy I ever met was when I briefly dated a Serbian girl as an exchange student. Very sweet and pretty girl but her brother was a big Partizan fan and was part of a fan group called the Grobari if I remember correctly. Absolutely bonkers. The stories he would tell (he had the scars to match) would make me question his sanity. Imagine all the nastiness of football firms as you know it, but many of these lads had military experience and many of them access to weapons.
The Celtic, Rangers derbies are mad. Was in a pub in Galashiels up on the borders and a game between these 2 rivals had just finished in a draw.
They gather in the pub facing each other, and singing chants against one another. After each chant they take a step nearer each other, but dare not move until the leader gives the ok. This happens when they are at arms reach, and you should see the anger in the faces of both sides. The Publican just pulls down the shutters and only then phones the police, letting them smash each other to pieces. Chairs, Tables, and Bottles are smashed as weapons.
It's absolutely crazy but so controlled, until the leader says GO, would amaze you.
They gather in the pub facing each other, and singing chants against one another. After each chant they take a step nearer each other, but dare not move until the leader gives the ok. This happens when they are at arms reach, and you should see the anger in the faces of both sides. The Publican just pulls down the shutters and only then phones the police, letting them smash each other to pieces. Chairs, Tables, and Bottles are smashed as weapons.
It's absolutely crazy but so controlled, until the leader says GO, would amaze you.
No but my cousin would be well known for this within united fan circles. Few front page covers of him on United fanzines down the years. For opening poster, it's not something you decide to take up as a hobby, its hugely influenced by where you grow up, he grew up in moss side in 70s and early 80s.
Our reputation preceeds us it seemsFrom Feyenoord
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?
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.