In 2024/5, South Norwood seemed like Just another shithole But it wasn't, it was Different in many ways As so were those Who did the fighting In World War II The average age of the Combat soldier was twenty-six
In South Norwood, he was nineteen In South Norwood, he was nineteen In South Norwood, he was nineteen In South Norwood, he was nineteen N-n-n-n-nineteen
The heaviest fighting Of the past two weeks Continued today twenty-five Miles northwest of their college
I really wasn't sure What was going on
N-n-n-n-nineteen, nineteen N-nineteen, nineteen
In South Norwood, the combat Ultra Typically served a twelve month tour of duty But was exposed to old ladies pushing past them for the bus
In Anerley, a UK military spokesman Said today, more than 720 Ultras Were told to go to bed early by their mummies last week in That sensitive border area Near to Surrey The enemy lost a total of zero soldiers
All those who remember the war They won't forget what they've seen Destruction of men in their prime Whose average age was nineteen
D-d-d-d-d-destruction D-d-d-d-d-destruction
According to an Ultra's administration study Half of them suffered From what psychiatrists call Demotion from the Europa League Many Ultras complain of alienation, rage, or guilt Some succumb to suicidal thoughts Eight to ten years after making banners and Tifos at home with their families Almost eight-hundred-thousand Ultras Are still marching up Norwood High Street protesting about something or other
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
I remember AN (Everton) asked us to contribute to his A to Z book - i declined as its a lot of work. And you need people with a memory as well
Half those books are the same and biased/full of it anyway IMO. Especially the Pompey one not mentioning us at all. Saw Goonerhater a couple of times last season - great top see him.
Social inequality and disenfranchisement probably at their highest since the 80s, the rise of incels, far right politics moving increasingly into the mainstream, all likely factors.
There’s plenty of angry young men out there looking for an outlet. cocaine is affordable, and the peak of hooliganism is now long enough ago for some to see it as nostalgic. Football violence and disorder has always been a symptom of wider societal issues, not an isolated problem.
I grew up with football in the 80s and what went with it.
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
When we get our advance from the museum i'll do 60's and 70's you do up to present day
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
When we get our advance from the museum i'll do 60's and 70's you do up to present day
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
When we get our advance from the museum i'll do 60's and 70's you do up to present day
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
Don’t do it. Look at what some of that lot over the river have turned into.
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
Don’t do it. Look at what some of that lot over the river have turned into.
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
Don’t do it. Look at what some of that lot over the river have turned into.
The birdman being the worst. Talk about milking it
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
Don’t do it. Look at what some of that lot over the river have turned into.
The birdman being the worst. Talk about milking it
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
Don’t do it. Look at what some of that lot over the river have turned into.
The birdman being the worst. Talk about milking it
I’d say Cass is the worse over there.
It’s a packed market. I just think a documentary about yourself just gets him over the line.
I remember being outside the Village once very refreshed and grilling Cass why he weren’t Charlton as he came from Slade Green. To be fair he took it well.
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
Don’t do it. Look at what some of that lot over the river have turned into.
The birdman being the worst. Talk about milking it
I’d say Cass is the worse over there.
It’s a packed market. I just think a documentary about yourself just gets him over the line.
I remember being outside the Village once very refreshed and grilling Cass why he weren’t Charlton as he came from Slade Green. To be fair he took it well.
I think I’ve mentioned on here before I dabbled on the fringes of it back in my younger days but had all but grown out of it by the time I reached my mid 20’s.
I know chatting to our older lot back then Cass was never really respected by our lot. A big lump, but a lot of noise and bouncing around and that was about it was the general consensus. Got a couple of hidings by ours and once had to roll under a parked car to escape a bad one in New Cross (when they tried an ambush on route to palace). BG was rated though, most Millwall had a grudging respect for him, and heard some legendary stories about him. The birdman as well, for a small bloke, was very game by all accounts.
But Cass, no, no one really rated him. Although he’s made a living out of his apparent reputation which is strange as I’ve even heard some west ham talk about him like he wasn’t much. I think maybe some of their younger fans look up to him though because they have seen the books and watched the movie but wasn’t actually there at the time to see it in the flesh.
Anyway, not trying to glorify it or anything. As I say, grew out of all that a long time ago. Just commenting because it came up.
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
Don’t do it. Look at what some of that lot over the river have turned into.
The birdman being the worst. Talk about milking it
I’d say Cass is the worse over there.
It’s a packed market. I just think a documentary about yourself just gets him over the line.
I remember being outside the Village once very refreshed and grilling Cass why he weren’t Charlton as he came from Slade Green. To be fair he took it well.
I think I’ve mentioned on here before I dabbled on the fringes of it back in my younger days but had all but grown out of it by the time I reached my mid 20’s.
I know chatting to our older lot back then Cass was never really respected by our lot. A big lump, but a lot of noise and bouncing around and that was about it was the general consensus. Got a couple of hidings by ours and once had to roll under a parked car to escape a bad one in New Cross (when they tried an ambush on route to palace). BG was rated though, most Millwall had a grudging respect for him, and heard some legendary stories about him. The birdman as well, for a small bloke, was very game by all accounts.
But Cass, no, no one really rated him. Although he’s made a living out of his apparent reputation which is strange as I’ve even heard some west ham talk about him like he wasn’t much. I think maybe some of their younger fans look up to him though because they have seen the books and watched the movie but wasn’t actually there at the time to see it in the flesh.
Anyway, not trying to glorify it or anything. As I say, grew out of all that a long time ago. Just commenting because it came up.
Met him a couple of times, once in a Silvertown pub late one Sunday night in November, sun glasses on, swanned in like he owned the place. then again in the Cutty sark in Thamesmead when he came to interview a mate of mine for one of his books.
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
Don’t do it. Look at what some of that lot over the river have turned into.
The birdman being the worst. Talk about milking it
I’d say Cass is the worse over there.
It’s a packed market. I just think a documentary about yourself just gets him over the line.
I remember being outside the Village once very refreshed and grilling Cass why he weren’t Charlton as he came from Slade Green. To be fair he took it well.
I think I’ve mentioned on here before I dabbled on the fringes of it back in my younger days but had all but grown out of it by the time I reached my mid 20’s.
I know chatting to our older lot back then Cass was never really respected by our lot. A big lump, but a lot of noise and bouncing around and that was about it was the general consensus. Got a couple of hidings by ours and once had to roll under a parked car to escape a bad one in New Cross (when they tried an ambush on route to palace). BG was rated though, most Millwall had a grudging respect for him, and heard some legendary stories about him. The birdman as well, for a small bloke, was very game by all accounts.
But Cass, no, no one really rated him. Although he’s made a living out of his apparent reputation which is strange as I’ve even heard some west ham talk about him like he wasn’t much. I think maybe some of their younger fans look up to him though because they have seen the books and watched the movie but wasn’t actually there at the time to see it in the flesh.
Anyway, not trying to glorify it or anything. As I say, grew out of all that a long time ago. Just commenting because it came up.
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
Don’t do it. Look at what some of that lot over the river have turned into.
The birdman being the worst. Talk about milking it
I’d say Cass is the worse over there.
It’s a packed market. I just think a documentary about yourself just gets him over the line.
I remember being outside the Village once very refreshed and grilling Cass why he weren’t Charlton as he came from Slade Green. To be fair he took it well.
I think I’ve mentioned on here before I dabbled on the fringes of it back in my younger days but had all but grown out of it by the time I reached my mid 20’s.
I know chatting to our older lot back then Cass was never really respected by our lot. A big lump, but a lot of noise and bouncing around and that was about it was the general consensus. Got a couple of hidings by ours and once had to roll under a parked car to escape a bad one in New Cross (when they tried an ambush on route to palace). BG was rated though, most Millwall had a grudging respect for him, and heard some legendary stories about him. The birdman as well, for a small bloke, was very game by all accounts.
But Cass, no, no one really rated him. Although he’s made a living out of his apparent reputation which is strange as I’ve even heard some west ham talk about him like he wasn’t much. I think maybe some of their younger fans look up to him though because they have seen the books and watched the movie but wasn’t actually there at the time to see it in the flesh.
Anyway, not trying to glorify it or anything. As I say, grew out of all that a long time ago. Just commenting because it came up.
I read that BG rang IG (tiny) when he was on his last breaths etc, big respect for that.
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
Don’t do it. Look at what some of that lot over the river have turned into.
The birdman being the worst. Talk about milking it
I’d say Cass is the worse over there.
It’s a packed market. I just think a documentary about yourself just gets him over the line.
I remember being outside the Village once very refreshed and grilling Cass why he weren’t Charlton as he came from Slade Green. To be fair he took it well.
I think I’ve mentioned on here before I dabbled on the fringes of it back in my younger days but had all but grown out of it by the time I reached my mid 20’s.
I know chatting to our older lot back then Cass was never really respected by our lot. A big lump, but a lot of noise and bouncing around and that was about it was the general consensus. Got a couple of hidings by ours and once had to roll under a parked car to escape a bad one in New Cross (when they tried an ambush on route to palace). BG was rated though, most Millwall had a grudging respect for him, and heard some legendary stories about him. The birdman as well, for a small bloke, was very game by all accounts.
But Cass, no, no one really rated him. Although he’s made a living out of his apparent reputation which is strange as I’ve even heard some west ham talk about him like he wasn’t much. I think maybe some of their younger fans look up to him though because they have seen the books and watched the movie but wasn’t actually there at the time to see it in the flesh.
Anyway, not trying to glorify it or anything. As I say, grew out of all that a long time ago. Just commenting because it came up.
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
Don’t do it. Look at what some of that lot over the river have turned into.
The birdman being the worst. Talk about milking it
I’d say Cass is the worse over there.
It’s a packed market. I just think a documentary about yourself just gets him over the line.
I remember being outside the Village once very refreshed and grilling Cass why he weren’t Charlton as he came from Slade Green. To be fair he took it well.
I think I’ve mentioned on here before I dabbled on the fringes of it back in my younger days but had all but grown out of it by the time I reached my mid 20’s.
I know chatting to our older lot back then Cass was never really respected by our lot. A big lump, but a lot of noise and bouncing around and that was about it was the general consensus. Got a couple of hidings by ours and once had to roll under a parked car to escape a bad one in New Cross (when they tried an ambush on route to palace). BG was rated though, most Millwall had a grudging respect for him, and heard some legendary stories about him. The birdman as well, for a small bloke, was very game by all accounts.
But Cass, no, no one really rated him. Although he’s made a living out of his apparent reputation which is strange as I’ve even heard some west ham talk about him like he wasn’t much. I think maybe some of their younger fans look up to him though because they have seen the books and watched the movie but wasn’t actually there at the time to see it in the flesh.
Anyway, not trying to glorify it or anything. As I say, grew out of all that a long time ago. Just commenting because it came up.
I read that BG rang IG (tiny) when he was on his last breaths etc, big respect for that.
Yes I heard about that. Old enemies but showed a lot of respect to do that. I think BG always came across as a decent and humble bloke. Tiny was a lovely bloke as well. That’s the irony here. A lot of these people, at heart, were decent people. Some of them could be c*nts obviously but not all of them. Some of the older lot I knew were proper characters and it was good being in their company because they were funny as f*** and endearing. Going on an away day with them, or a night out down the OKR, for a youngster, in my teens or early 20’s, was something else.
Having said all that I’m glad we’ve largely seen the back of it now. It’s from a bygone era and let’s have it right, it nearly brought football to its knees back in the 70’s and 80’s.
I mean we always feature high in these league tables, but I take my kids to Millwall all the time, most home games and a fair few away games, and we rarely see any trouble. And that can only be a good thing. I think there’s still a few at most clubs who indulge but it’s very rarely in or near the ground. I can’t remember the last time I saw any serious disorder at football.
Cass was an apprentice painter and decorator and my dad was his foreman so he came round the house a few times as we lived in Abbey Wood and he was in Erith or Slade Green.
My dad, who was far from a shrinking violet when it came to a fight, always thought he was an idiot for what he did and getting put away from stomping on some Millwall fan's head but said he was a nice kid when working under him!
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
Don’t do it. Look at what some of that lot over the river have turned into.
The birdman being the worst. Talk about milking it
I’d say Cass is the worse over there.
It’s a packed market. I just think a documentary about yourself just gets him over the line.
I remember being outside the Village once very refreshed and grilling Cass why he weren’t Charlton as he came from Slade Green. To be fair he took it well.
I think I’ve mentioned on here before I dabbled on the fringes of it back in my younger days but had all but grown out of it by the time I reached my mid 20’s.
I know chatting to our older lot back then Cass was never really respected by our lot. A big lump, but a lot of noise and bouncing around and that was about it was the general consensus. Got a couple of hidings by ours and once had to roll under a parked car to escape a bad one in New Cross (when they tried an ambush on route to palace). BG was rated though, most Millwall had a grudging respect for him, and heard some legendary stories about him. The birdman as well, for a small bloke, was very game by all accounts.
But Cass, no, no one really rated him. Although he’s made a living out of his apparent reputation which is strange as I’ve even heard some west ham talk about him like he wasn’t much. I think maybe some of their younger fans look up to him though because they have seen the books and watched the movie but wasn’t actually there at the time to see it in the flesh.
Anyway, not trying to glorify it or anything. As I say, grew out of all that a long time ago. Just commenting because it came up.
There is a vast difference between a football hooligan and a barmy, I know plenty of barmys who take gear and drink to excess at football but would never get involved in hooliganism. AFKA is right, the figures are skewed by labelling all football arrests as hooliganism. I had fights at football because I wanted to and enjoyed it, my father loved me enough, I wasn't in poverty, neither of my parents were alcoholics or unemployed (neither was I), I wasn't abused as a child either. I have first hand experience of how the press and courts skew things and lie and sensationalise things regards this subject as well, and I am no way trying to play down or defend my actions in the past.
Trying to explain what hooliganism was all about in the late 60s through to the early 80s is nigh on impossible. If like you and me we grew up in that era we fully understand what it meant. But trying to explain to people who never experienced it is very difficult.
I'd like to write a book 'Growing up in the Covered End, 1968-1985. A lot of folks here would be shocked at what attending unsegregated games was like.
You should do it!
Goonerhater formerly of this parish always said I should write one
Don’t do it. Look at what some of that lot over the river have turned into.
The birdman being the worst. Talk about milking it
I’d say Cass is the worse over there.
It’s a packed market. I just think a documentary about yourself just gets him over the line.
I remember being outside the Village once very refreshed and grilling Cass why he weren’t Charlton as he came from Slade Green. To be fair he took it well.
I think I’ve mentioned on here before I dabbled on the fringes of it back in my younger days but had all but grown out of it by the time I reached my mid 20’s.
I know chatting to our older lot back then Cass was never really respected by our lot. A big lump, but a lot of noise and bouncing around and that was about it was the general consensus. Got a couple of hidings by ours and once had to roll under a parked car to escape a bad one in New Cross (when they tried an ambush on route to palace). BG was rated though, most Millwall had a grudging respect for him, and heard some legendary stories about him. The birdman as well, for a small bloke, was very game by all accounts.
But Cass, no, no one really rated him. Although he’s made a living out of his apparent reputation which is strange as I’ve even heard some west ham talk about him like he wasn’t much. I think maybe some of their younger fans look up to him though because they have seen the books and watched the movie but wasn’t actually there at the time to see it in the flesh.
Anyway, not trying to glorify it or anything. As I say, grew out of all that a long time ago. Just commenting because it came up.
I read that BG rang IG (tiny) when he was on his last breaths etc, big respect for that.
Yes I heard about that. Old enemies but showed a lot of respect to do that. I think BG always came across as a decent and humble bloke. Tiny was a lovely bloke as well. That’s the irony here. A lot of these people, at heart, were decent people. Some of them could be c*nts obviously but not all of them. Some of the older lot I knew were proper characters and it was good being in their company because they were funny as f*** and endearing. Going on an away day with them, or a night out down the OKR, for a youngster, in my teens or early 20’s, was something else.
Having said all that I’m glad we’ve largely seen the back of it now. It’s from a bygone era and let’s have it right, it nearly brought football to its knees back in the 70’s and 80’s.
I mean we always feature high in these league tables, but I take my kids to Millwall all the time, most home games and a fair few away games, and we rarely see any trouble. And that can only be a good thing. I think there’s still a few at most clubs who indulge but it’s very rarely in or near the ground. I can’t remember the last time I saw any serious disorder at football.
Comments
Just another shithole
But it wasn't, it was
Different in many ways
As so were those
Who did the fighting
In World War II
The average age of the
Combat soldier was twenty-six
In South Norwood, he was nineteen
In South Norwood, he was nineteen
In South Norwood, he was nineteen
In South Norwood, he was nineteen
N-n-n-n-nineteen
The heaviest fighting
Of the past two weeks
Continued today twenty-five
Miles northwest of their college
I really wasn't sure
What was going on
N-n-n-n-nineteen, nineteen
N-nineteen, nineteen
In South Norwood, the combat Ultra
Typically served a twelve month tour of duty
But was exposed to old ladies pushing past them for the bus
N-n-n-n-nineteen
N-n-n-n-nineteen
N-n-n-n-nineteen
N-n-n-n-nineteen
In Anerley, a UK military spokesman
Said today, more than 720 Ultras
Were told to go to bed early by their mummies last week in
That sensitive border area
Near to Surrey
The enemy lost a total of zero soldiers
All those who remember the war
They won't forget what they've seen
Destruction of men in their prime
Whose average age was nineteen
D-d-d-d-d-destruction
D-d-d-d-d-destruction
According to an Ultra's administration study
Half of them suffered
From what psychiatrists call
Demotion from the Europa League
Many Ultras complain of alienation, rage, or guilt
Some succumb to suicidal thoughts
Eight to ten years after making banners and Tifos at home with their families
Almost eight-hundred-thousand Ultras
Are still marching up Norwood High Street protesting about something or other
None of them received
A hero's welcome
Norwood, Norwood
N-n-n-n-n-Norwood
N-n-n-n-n-Norwood
Nineteen, Norwood n-n-n-n
N-n-n-n-n-nineteen
N-n-n-n-n-nineteen
N-n-n-n-n-nineteen
N-n-n-n-n-nineteen
Brighton, N-n-Norwood
M23, N-n-Norwood
Brighton, N-n-Norwood
M23, N-n-Norwood
Fans mix together now, unlike the 80s.
Just like the fucking utility companies.
then again in the Cutty sark in Thamesmead when he came to interview a mate of mine for one of his books.
My dad, who was far from a shrinking violet when it came to a fight, always thought he was an idiot for what he did and getting put away from stomping on some Millwall fan's head but said he was a nice kid when working under him!