11/05/24
March 30, 2003
The "English disease" rears it's ugly head once more.: In this case the English disease of being shot or stabbed before a football game. And it's clear that the police are fearful of the hooligan response to the England vs Turkey match on Wednesday in retaliation for the deaths of two Leeds fans in Turkey. Did it ever go away (PDF)? Or has the media just turned to other, more topical scare stories?
Whatever, its the anti-soccer people blowing this out of proportion!! Getting drunk and fighting is one of my favorite things about soccer!
posted by StarFucker at 09:31 AM on March 31, 2003
Nowadays I draw a line between England supporters abroad and the supporters of English club teams playing abroad. IMHO England supporters are as bad as ever, whereas club supporters are generally more sinned against than sinners. You are right BigClam. Both at club and national level part of the problem is that wherever we go we have a reputation, deserved or not, for causing trouble. This leads to police overreaction and the local hard knocks coming out of the woodwork to take on the infamous English. I should say that in 25 (irregular) years of following Birmingham, I never got involved in any trouble, though I did see a small amount. As ever the maxim holds true - if you don't want trouble you won't find it. If you want trouble, it will find you. Of course, I never got to go to Europe. :-(
posted by squealy at 12:19 PM on March 31, 2003
Of course, I never got to go to Europe. :-( Maybe you should support, Liverpool! Hahahaha! C'mere you brummy bog bandit! Let's see whatyoor made of! Put your fists up!
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:22 PM on March 31, 2003
I'm sure a lot of Americans know nothing about the existence of football "firms" (probably worthy of a post in itself). I found a few articles, but this was the most interesting. It's good to see we don't have a monopoly on violent gangs. Do all teams have this type of following - even crap teams like Bolton or West Ham? What about First Division teams?
posted by Samsonov14 at 01:14 PM on March 31, 2003
Of course wc2002 you miss the point as usual. The point is not to support the successful team, but to support your local team. :-P Samsonov, most teams would have at least some fans who claim to be a firm, no matter how "crap" the team is. Here's a handy reference list of some of the major ones, and a brief history of British football hooliganism. Let us not forget though, that hooliganism is neither big or clever.
posted by squealy at 01:51 PM on March 31, 2003
The Leicester City Baby Squad? Damn, that’s a stupid name. Doesn’t really inspire fear, does it? Might as well be the Leicester City Collectible Kitten Figurines. (thanks for the link, squealy)
posted by Samsonov14 at 02:16 PM on March 31, 2003
I'm worried by the Italian irriducibili. The Italian equivalent of English hooligans but with more racist overtones.
posted by BigCalm at 04:02 PM on March 31, 2003
squealy: Of course wc2002 you miss the point as usual. The point is not to support the successful team, but to support your local team. :-P Oi! Why don't you come over here and say that? Eh? Eh? What?
posted by worldcup2002 at 07:18 PM on March 31, 2003
England fans deserve to get shot and stabbed simply because the are morons, regardless of any violence they may involve themselves in. I cannot believe it when I hear the media go on about our fans behaving themselves when they are disporting themselves in beautiful cities around Europe in a manner most of us would find completely unnacceptable. Violent incidents may have diminished, (not by that much though) but our fans still behave in a very boorish and thuggish manner. Constant moronic chanting, bared torsos , arse bearing, intimidation of locals, harrassment of women, overbearing xenophobia, and racism are just some of the traits which make our fans loved and respected the world over.
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:12 AM on April 01, 2003
Samsonov - West Ham's "Inter City Firm" are one of the most notorious. (Inter City is the name of the trains that run, well, between cities in the UK)
posted by Brettski at 06:17 AM on April 01, 2003
And rather scarily, the name of the company I work for.
posted by BigCalm at 08:05 AM on April 01, 2003
Are England fans really that bad? I know that England's past reputation would lead you to conclude that probably they are, but we haven't had any serious trouble for years, barring incidents where it would be difficult to lay the blame at the England fans door (e.g. the Turkey incident you refer to squealy). Good link to that pdf though. Initial conclusions drawn: 1) Manchester City fans like to celebrate with copious amounts of alcohol. 2) Millwall fans should be locked up!