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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (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
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to explore whether hooliganism can be considered a typical characteristic of British culture. It investigates the historical development of hooliganism in England, analyzing its origins, peak, and subsequent decline. The essay also examines factors contributing to the phenomenon.
- The historical development of hooliganism in England.
- The role of significant events (Heysel and Hillsborough disasters) in shaping hooliganism.
- Contributing factors to hooliganism, such as societal issues, rivalries, and mentality.
- Governmental responses and measures implemented to combat hooliganism.
- The question of whether hooliganism is a defining characteristic of British culture.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1 Thesis Statement: This section introduces Margaret Thatcher's assessment of hooliganism as a negative export of British culture, establishing the central question of whether it's a typical feature of British society. The essay's objective is to analyze this question.
2 The history of Hooliganism in England: This chapter provides a historical overview of hooliganism, tracing its origins in the 1970s with British fans accompanying the national team to away games and engaging in alcohol-fueled violence. The 1980s marked the peak, with numerous "Hooligan firms" associated with various clubs. The chapter details prominent firms and their violent connotations. The chapter also discusses the role of the Heysel and Hillsborough disasters in ending the heyday of hooliganism.
2.1 Origins and development: This sub-chapter details the origins of English football hooliganism in the 1970s, marked by away game violence and alcohol abuse. It establishes the reputation of British fans as prone to violence, laying the groundwork for the rise of organized hooligan firms in the following decade.
2.2 The end of the heyday: This section focuses on the devastating Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies, arguing that their impact marked a turning point in the history of English football hooliganism. The Heysel disaster, involving Liverpool fans attacking Juventus supporters, led to a five-year ban on English clubs from European competitions. The Hillsborough disaster, resulting from overcrowding, caused significant loss of life. Both events highlighted the severity of the hooligan problem and prompted significant change.
2.3 The fight against Hooligans: Following the Heysel and Hillsborough disasters, the British government introduced various measures to combat hooliganism in the early 1990s. These included all-seater stadiums, enhanced security measures (CCTV), stadium bans for known hooligans, increased ticket prices/personalized tickets, and support for fan projects. These initiatives aimed to transform the fan culture and decrease hooliganism.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Hooliganism, English football, British culture, Heysel Disaster, Hillsborough Disaster, violence, fan culture, government regulation, societal factors, football hooligan firms.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on Hooliganism in England
What is the main topic of this text?
This text is a comprehensive language preview of an essay exploring whether hooliganism can be considered a typical characteristic of British culture. It examines the historical development of hooliganism in England, analyzing its origins, peak, and decline, and investigates contributing factors.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The essay explores the historical development of hooliganism in England, the role of significant events like the Heysel and Hillsborough disasters, contributing factors such as societal issues and rivalries, governmental responses to combat hooliganism, and ultimately, whether hooliganism defines British culture.
What is the structure of the essay preview?
The preview provides a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It offers a detailed overview of each chapter and sub-chapter, outlining the key arguments and information presented.
What is the thesis statement of the essay?
The essay begins by referencing Margaret Thatcher's view of hooliganism as a negative export of British culture. The central question the essay seeks to answer is whether hooliganism is a typical characteristic of British society.
What historical events are discussed in relation to hooliganism?
The essay heavily features the Heysel and Hillsborough disasters. These events are analyzed for their impact on the peak and decline of hooliganism in England. The Heysel disaster, resulting in a five-year ban on English clubs from European competitions, and the Hillsborough disaster, highlighting the severity of the problem and prompting significant changes, are central to the narrative.
What factors contributed to the rise of hooliganism according to the preview?
The preview mentions several contributing factors, including personal problems, extreme rivalry between football clubs, and a specific mentality associated with British people. The origins are traced back to away-game violence and alcohol abuse in the 1970s, escalating into organized "Hooligan firms" in the 1980s.
What measures were taken to combat hooliganism?
Following the Heysel and Hillsborough disasters, the British government implemented several measures, including all-seater stadiums, enhanced security (CCTV), stadium bans, increased ticket prices/personalized tickets, and support for fan projects, all aimed at transforming fan culture and reducing violence.
What are the key words associated with this essay?
Key words include Hooliganism, English football, British culture, Heysel Disaster, Hillsborough Disaster, violence, fan culture, government regulation, societal factors, and football hooligan firms.
What is the overall conclusion suggested by the preview (though not explicitly stated)?
While not explicitly stated, the preview strongly suggests the essay will analyze the complex interplay between historical events, societal factors, and governmental intervention in shaping the phenomenon of hooliganism and its relationship to British national identity.
What is the intended audience for this language preview?
The preview's detailed structure and academic tone suggest it is intended for an academic audience, perhaps students or researchers studying sociology, sports history, or British culture.
- Quote paper
- Patrick Schorer (Author), 2009, Hooliganism in England - typical for the British society?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/141384