This essay will be on the phenomenon of hooliganism in England and its development from the day it has been discovered by the media.
When one thinks of a violent hooligan and his behaviour one often tends to associate it immediately with the behaviour of a brutal skinhead. What do a hooligan and a racist skinhead really have in common? Is there an urgent connection between them or is that just a wrong association which has developed in one’s mind during one’s childhood when one was not able to distinguish between these two kinds of brutal groups?
In order to find out whether racism is involved in football hooliganism I initially will try to spot what role National Socialism or Fascism played in the history of Britain but also in the last few years.
It is interesting to investigate whether Nazi-Germany’s archenemy England has National Socialist roots as well and if so, what impact such a phenomenon could have on everyday life and how successful it was. Were they pro or anti-German?
If there is still a far-right-wing I will analyze its structures and try to make out a possible relation between their organisations and hooligan firms.
Furthermore I will comment on the heavy riots in Oldham in the year 2001, which made the media call that part of the year “the summer of violence”. In this context I will try to analyze to what extent these violent excesses are to be related to football hooliganism or even to racism. Were these riots pure coincidence or had they been planned well in advance? To answer this question it is quite interesting to parse the reaction of the public authorities and to analyze how cooperative they were when it came to spotting the culprits.
Is there really a relation between hooligans and Nazis, who sometimes seem to be totally different?
Table of Contents
Introduction
Hooliganism
History
History of Britain’s Fascism
Combat 18
Summer of violence
Combat 18 in Germany
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This essay explores the historical and sociological development of football hooliganism in England, specifically investigating the intersection between these violent subcultures and far-right extremist organizations. It seeks to understand whether a genuine ideological link exists between hooligan firms and Nazi-oriented groups, using the formation of "Combat 18" and the 2001 Oldham riots as primary case studies to analyze how these groups radicalize and influence social order.
- Sociological motivations behind hooliganism and collective identity.
- The historical roots and evolution of British Fascism.
- The emergence, organizational structure, and criminal activities of Combat 18.
- The role of media influence and political manipulation in the 2001 Oldham riots.
- The international expansion of Combat 18 and its impact on German extremist scenes.
Excerpt from the Book
Combat 18
In the course of their growing significance the BNP needed a bodyguard group who would ensure their sessions and speeches. They knew that there was a high degree of rivals who could be dangerous for them.
As a matter of fact they founded their personal bodyguard unit called Combat 18 (like Adolf Hitler’s “Schutzstaffel” or better known as “SS”). In 1992 the notorious “Combat 18” started life and was subordinate to the BNP´s chief steward Derek Beackon. The “1” and the “8” of “18” correspond to the first and eighth letters of the alphabet, namely A and H standing for their role model Adolf Hitler.
The leaders of this group would be the brothers Charlie and Steve Sargent, two well-known hooligans. They promised a violent race war against all invaders and the supposed supporting system which was against the white working-class (according to their point of view). This organisation was very attractive to hopeless young men who wanted direct actions against the “oppressors”. Since Charlie Sargent was a hooligan himself he knew that he would find willing supporters among the ultra-violent hooligan firms. Combat 18 attracted the hooligans of the right, which were welcome because of their casual image and, what is more important, their preparedness to fight. The number of the members of the group increased rapidly and they started to attack gay pubs, left-wing book shops and anti-apartheid activists. They had no official members so it was very hard to find out who was responsible for the attacks.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the research focus on the relationship between football hooliganism, racism, and right-wing extremism, highlighting the 2001 Oldham riots as a central case study.
Hooliganism: Examines the emergence of hooliganism in the 1960s and provides sociological and psychological theories regarding why individuals engage in this violent behavior.
History: Details the historical origins of the phenomenon, tracing it back to the late 19th century and the socio-economic factors that fueled it in the 1960s.
History of Britain’s Fascism: Provides a historical overview of the British Union of Fascists and the evolution of far-right ideology in the UK following World War II.
Combat 18: Analyzes the formation of this extremist group, its split from the BNP, its shift toward terrorism, and its recruitment tactics within the Army and the hooligan scene.
Summer of violence: Investigates the 2001 Oldham riots, exploring the orchestrated involvement of Combat 18 and the inflammatory role of local media.
Combat 18 in Germany: Discusses the international reach of Combat 18, noting the distribution of extremist propaganda and recruitment efforts within Germany.
Conclusion: Synthesizes findings, confirming the link between hooligan firms and racist organizations while noting the group's transition from local hooliganism to organized, leaderless terrorism.
Keywords
Hooliganism, Football, Combat 18, Fascism, National Socialism, BNP, Oldham Riots, Racism, Extremism, Violence, Skinhead, Leaderless Resistance, Nationalism, Darren Wells, Radicalization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this essay?
The work examines the development of football hooliganism in England and explores the dangerous nexus between hooligan subcultures and far-right extremist political groups.
What are the primary themes covered in the text?
The central themes include the sociological drivers of violence, the history of British fascist movements, the rise and internal conflicts of Combat 18, and the influence of media coverage on racial tensions.
What is the main objective of the research?
The study aims to determine if there is a substantive ideological and organizational connection between football hooligan firms and neo-Nazi groups like Combat 18.
Which methodology is employed in the study?
The author uses historical analysis, review of sociological theories (such as Freudian drives and sociological "escapism"), and a qualitative examination of specific case studies and media reports.
What content is addressed in the main chapters?
The main sections move from a theoretical history of hooliganism to the specific historical context of British fascism, followed by an in-depth look at the rise of the group Combat 18 and the 2001 riots in Oldham.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Hooliganism, Combat 18, Fascism, Oldham Riots, National Socialism, and Extremism.
How did Combat 18 evolve as an organization?
Initially formed as a bodyguard unit for the BNP, the group splintered due to its extreme, uncontrolled violence, eventually adopting a "leaderless resistance" model and engaging in terrorist activities.
What is the significance of the "Summer of violence" in the context of this work?
It refers to the 2001 riots in Oldham, which the text argues were not spontaneous, but were partially orchestrated by far-right activists to provoke racial conflict and boost political interest.
What role does Darren Wells play in the author's analysis?
Darren Wells serves as a crucial insider witness whose testimony provides insight into the recruitment, violent practices, and the motivations of members within Combat 18.
- Quote paper
- Mergim Bytyci (Author), 2007, Combat 18. Hooligans, Nazis and Britain's History of Fascism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/134708
