Mon Mar 03, 2014 2:07 pm
Hi there.
I’m Kev. I’m a student currently doing my dissertation. I am wanting to discuss whether the press misrepresented football hooligans or casuals, in the 1980s in Britain. The way in which the press described football casuals as ‘thugs’ ‘savages’ ‘stupid’ ‘mindless’ ‘animals’, I believe was misrepresenting of the casuals because they never took into account all the aspects. It was a British subculture that still relates to the football fan today in relation to fashion. It also broke down barriers of racial discrimination (Birmingham Zulus, Leicester City Baby Squad) and was political also ie: the Cardiff City Soul Crew boycotting Burberry. And it gave a lot of working class lads a sense of belonging when Thatcher was tearing apart working class communities.
What do you guys think? I was hoping if any former football hooligans or just general football fans would be able to give me their opinion. Especially if they are Cardiff, Luton, Millwall, Leeds, Birmingham, West Ham or Chelsea fans. But any fans would be much appreciated. I’ve had to narrow it down to a few events like Luton v Millwall in 1985 and Birmingham v Leeds 1985 and a few others. So if anyone has anything to say about those events or football hooligan books aswell please comment on that.
Cheers