Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of Great Britain, once said that Hooliganism is one
of the most famous export goods, Britain can not be proud of. This statement by itself
emphasizes the significance of the hooligan problem not only in the British society, but all
over Europe. Hooliganism is often called the ‘English disease’, so the question arises if
Hooliganism is a typical feature of the British culture.
Therefore, the following essay should explain whether Hooliganism can be named a typical
symbol for the society or not.
[...]
With few exceptions, for example riots of British supporters during the World Cup 2006 in
Germany (but there will always be some unreformable slobs), the hooligan problem could
nearly be erased up to today, especially in Britain’s club football. The hooligan firms use the
clubs just as a distinguishing feature for themselves. Actually they do not have any
connection to the modern football business of today. That’s why you have to be careful with
claiming that Hooliganism is a typical feature of the British society.
Hooliganism, compared to its origins, can be rightly called the English disease. But the
situation today is out of all proportion to the situation 20 years ago. As already said
Hooliganism is curtailed up to today and consequently out of the public focus. The problem is
that the youth grows up with this special mentality. So it probably will always be a part of the
British society because the attitude will be passed on from generation to generation.
Table of Contents
1 Thesis Statement
2 The history of Hooliganism in England
2.1 Origins and development
2.2 The end of the heyday
2.3 The fight against Hooligans
3 Boosting and supporting features for Hooliganism in England
3.1 Personal problems
3.2 Extreme rivalry between football clubs
3.3 Special mentality of British people
4 Concluding Statement
Objectives and Core Topics
This essay explores the historical development and social factors surrounding football hooliganism in England to determine if the phenomenon remains a representative feature of British culture today.
- Historical evolution of British hooliganism from the 1970s onwards.
- Impact of major stadium disasters on the transformation of fan culture.
- Legal and structural measures implemented to combat fan violence.
- Socio-economic triggers such as unemployment and regional rivalries.
- The influence of national identity and group mentality on violent behavior.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Origins and development
It all started in the 1970s when British people began to accompany their national team to away games. Combined with the abuse of alcohol they started riots and brawls which left marks all over the world. This displays the beginning of the fact why British fans, now called Hooligans, became notorious for their propensity to violence.
The 1980s mark the heyday of Hooliganism in Britain when almost every professional football club, 92 in number which is quite a lot, has it’s own hooligan organisation. These groups call themselves ‘Hooligan firms’. Below, the most notorious firms are listed:
Chelsea London Chelsea Headhunters
Manchester United Red Army Manchester
Liverpool F.C. The Urchins
Burnley F.C. Suicide Squad
Millwall F.C. F-Troop / Bushwrackers
West Ham United Inter City Firm (ICF)
Tottenham Hotspurs Yid Army
You see that almost every name has a relation to violence or the military which, regarding to their attitude, speaks for itself.
Summary of Chapters
1 Thesis Statement: Introduces the premise of hooliganism as the 'English disease' and poses the central question of whether it is an inherent cultural trait.
2 The history of Hooliganism in England: Details the rise of hooliganism in the 1970s, the height of the 'hooligan firms' in the 1980s, and the subsequent government crackdowns following tragic disasters.
3 Boosting and supporting features for Hooliganism in England: Examines underlying catalysts such as personal economic hardships, intense club rivalries, and specific British cultural traits.
4 Concluding Statement: Assesses the current state of hooliganism, noting its significant decline in professional football while acknowledging the persistence of certain subcultural mentalities.
Keywords
Hooliganism, England, Football, Fan Culture, Hooligan Firms, Violence, Heysel Disaster, Hillsborough Disaster, Stadium Bans, Unemployment, British Mentality, Sports History, Social Issues, Club Rivalry, Fan Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this paper?
The paper examines the phenomenon of football hooliganism in England, tracing its historical roots and evaluating its status within modern British society.
What are the core thematic areas covered?
The core themes include the historical rise and fall of 'hooligan firms', the impact of stadium disasters like Heysel and Hillsborough, and the socio-cultural drivers of violence in football.
What is the main research question?
The study aims to determine whether hooliganism is a typical and permanent feature of British culture or if it is a manageable issue that has significantly diminished over time.
Which methodology is applied in this essay?
The author employs a historical and descriptive analysis, utilizing literature and documentation to categorize the development of the problem and the effectiveness of political interventions.
What is discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the 1970s and 80s heyday of hooliganism, the shift in fan culture resulting from legislative changes, and various environmental factors like unemployment and regional identity that facilitate violent behavior.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Hooliganism, England, Fan Culture, Hooligan Firms, Violence, and Club Rivalry.
What role did the 1985 Heysel Disaster play in the narrative?
The Heysel Disaster is presented as a critical turning point that led to the banning of English clubs from European competitions, which ultimately forced the government to introduce stricter safety measures.
How does the author characterize the 'hooligan firms' of the 1980s?
The author identifies them as highly organized groups linked to specific football clubs, often adopting names associated with military or violent themes.
- Quote paper
- Patrick Schorer (Author), 2009, Hooliganism in England - typical for the British society?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/141384
