Right, I'm going to post this as someone who followed football through the dark ages of the 70's and 80's.
Firstly, too much is made of the right-wing approach to football hooliganism in England at that time. Yes, there was an under-current, but in all honesty, this was purely about tribalism and "defending/advancing your territory or "manor". "
It was also about camaraderie(sp). I have never seen football fans so "together" as when facing the opposition. There just wasn't the in-fighting you see now from so many keyboard warriors. We were together. One force. One team.
Football hooliganism had taken the place of war, in the British youth psyche. There was no national service. There was no requirement to "fight for your country". And this took its place.
I know that innocents were affected, and indeed many were put off football for a long time, but you have to understand that this was a transistion period for the youth of this country, and I'm sorry but it was bloody good fun at times. The chase, the beatings (for and against) the supremacy. It all mattered at a time when the macho stance still meant something.
I've been to Maine Road (that's the old Emirates Marketing Project ground for you youngsters), been escorted out, but diverted down bloody Coronation St, and ambushed by hoardes of Emirates Marketing Project fans. I've taken a bloody good hiding, but those same fans would pick you up, make sure you were ok, then point you in the direction of the bloody station!!!!
It was accepted.
I've been there when we ripped down a big iron fence at Stamford Bridge and run Chelsea all over the place. I've "taken" the North bank, Highbury when there were more Spurs than bloody Arsenal in there.
No-one deliberately targeted "scarfers" or families or kids. That was paper talk. We were looking for an identity. And that is the same thing happening now in Eastern Europe.
There is a lot of bravado being spoken by the Ukrainian fans, but seriously, listen to them........they worship how we used to be. It's a transition.
If....and it's a big if, our top firms/crew/boys went out there this summer, it would be carnage, but I'm glad to say this won't be the case, as we've grown up.
sadly, there will be some isolated incidents of innocent fans being targeted, but if any Ukrainians are reading this, you are targeting the wrong country now guys.
Mind you, after seeing your bollox about seeing off our lot 3 years ago, and your gas chamber hissing, I seriously hope some of our old lot find you on the way home one night.
Filed under "I miss the 80's"
