I’ve had my fair share of scraps over football in my time, but never the organised hooligan business. Whilst not something I’d be involved in personally, I am intrigued about how it all works. Why do they go around kicking the crap out of people every weekend? Do they really love the club? How much of it goes on these days?
I’ve read a few hoolie books but I got stuck in to Tony O’Neill’s Men in Black this summer. O’Neill, the supposed Red Army General, gives an honest insight to what it was like being heavily involved in United’s main firm.
A few pages in O’Neill gives us a few clues of what kind of bloke he is, and instantly I knew this was going to be my kind of book.
The England scene has never been one that got me going, for one reason: being a United fanatic, the passion for my team consumed everything in me. No way could I get passionate about watching anyone else, not even my national team. United has consumed my life, so trying to watch and sing along with any other fans does nothing for me. All my excitement is with United, from getting up in the morning on a match day to going to bed. I still can’t get my head round how people can switch, you support your team from childhood until death, that’s how it should be.
Here are some of my other favourite bits:
The final was the best thing in my life. I nearly had a heart attack. I couldn’t breathe when the first goal went in and the next one, I couldn’t hear my son and he was screaming on the chair next to me. My ears had popped and my lungs were coming through my throat. I couldn’t hear anything and this went on from the first goal to the second. It was the best feeling ever, and if I hear the commentary again or see the pictures, the hairs on my neck stand on end. There is no way in the world you can beat that script. You’ll never get that again.
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England played Finland at Anfield. It’s not my scene, but people were saying they were going, and at the end of the day, I’m off. We arrive at Lime Street, get off and the police are there. Who are they bothered about? Man United.
That day was typical of the English hoolie bollocks at these games. Everybody hates Man United and they’re always going on about what they will do to us. Well that day there were different firms from all over the country and all they did was stay in Liverpool city centre drinking with each other, letting on to each other and avoiding each other.
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In August 2002 I did a trip to Budapest to watch United in a Champions League qualifying round against Zalaegerszeg. We all stood there and couldn’t believe what we were watching. No-one expected to see such an inept performance against a bunch of schoolteachers, mineworkers and bus drivers – and they scored near the end fot win 1-0. The game was a joke. There was no effort from any of the players.
Back at the airport everyone was gutted. A few fans are singing, ‘It’s just like watching City.’ They were loyal Reds; they weren’t being abusive, they were taking the piss because that was the mood. The United players were going through Departures at the time and one kid where I’m stood says something to them. Next thing, David Beckham strides over as though he’s the main man. ‘Who are you?’ he says to this kid. ‘Call yourself a United fan?’ The kid didn’t know what to say but I went straight over. ‘Who the fuck do you think you are, you seventy grand a week, overpair bastard? Fuck off before you get knocked out.’ He had a fucking cheek after that performance, having a go at someone who had paid money to follow the team. Beckham quickly sized up the situation, turned on his heels and scuttled off, followed by me hurling more abuse.
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Next thing I’m in a Cat D jail in Sudbury, between Derby and Stoke. What a joke. Some City fans were in there who’d got three years. The first thing that comes out of their mouths is that it’s my fault they received such long sentences, as I got three years nine months and the courts now think that’s the norm. Yet these idiots had only filmed themselves attacking a pub full of Stockport, put the film on the internet, then couldn’t understand why they were arrested. They were the saddest twats I’d ever seen; they even wore clothes with ‘City’ written on. Maybe in the property office in Reception they had their inflatable bananas tucked away.
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I will always be a United fan and I will always follow them, but in a different way. The trouble is over. I will always have lots of fantastic friends there because at the end of the day United is one thing: a family. And everyone else hates us.
Check out this book and others in the RoM Recommendations, with it going for less than 3 quid.
HA HA Beckham what a twat.
Tony O’Neill…..has he grown up yet? The man is a joke!
I have a passion running inside me for United, I live and breath the club and of course I lose my temper in the heat of the moment. Organised hooliganism tho? These blokes need to grow up its embarassing. Its this whole im hard, male bonding shit, not for me, all a bit gay to be honest.
Meh, i’ve had heated arguments over United but i’d never let it result to a fight, I love United and I agree, whenever I hear the commentary, see pictures or watch the final, hell, I almost get a hard on! (bit of exaggeration) but it was one of my greatest days in my life but to spend time in prison and what not, well it’s not a lack of love for my club but it’s more common sense, you need to get your head sorted but anyway, well done to the bloke, I imagine he’d earn a nice bit of money as people would enjoying reading stuff like that.
Dont tell me you have any admiration for this bloke Scott? Im not trying to start an argument just a debate. You say about Becks being a publicity hound but Becks appeals to people and he has a talent, he was a great servant for United. This bloke on the other hand is an old man who never grew up and went around the country acting like an animal, imagine having this bloke as dad, I would be bloody ashamed of of him! Hes trying to get publicity even tho hes nothing but a common thug! I find it insulting that twats like this get any atrention and even make money out of being an holligan by writing a bloody book!
Im not a literate by the way. I just type bloody fast and never check the comment lol.
Egoistic traitor
jesus
Hhahaha!! Nice!!
You guys continue to epitomise everything that is rotten in contemporary football. It saddens me that kids are going to read and potentially be influenced by this dross. You should be ashamed.
FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!!!
Why does everyone get on the moral high ground with things like this? If you buy the book, you know what you’re getting, right?
They’re all pretty much of a muchness. I do find the excuse about kids may see it and get the idea to do it, very, very lame. Do you watch films that have violence in them? What’s the difference? And films are a hell of a lot more accessible than books.
I find books like this good toilet books. What I mean is, when you go for number 2, you can have a good read for 5 mins, and chortle, “as we ran ‘em again and again”.
Besides, i never tire of hearing vermin getting battered.
Fair point, although I do wonder how much a young Man. United fan buys into this whole siege mentality thing you’ve got going on here.The difference is that when an adult watches something they’re capable of seeing violence as glorified because they usually have experiences of their own to compare against, whereas some children may not. Just strikes me as a bit irresponsible to be openly condoning things like this- however some of the comments aren’t so that’s encouraging.
Jeoff, I think you are getting obsessed with United, if you dislike our club/fans why do you continually post comments on this website on not one of your own clubs?
Yawn.
Hooligans are sooo last season.
I haven’t said anything about your club or fans Steve, I’m just intrigued by the mentality of this site, hence my prolonged interest.
“You guys continue to epitomise everything that is rotten in contemporary football”
“Good to see United fans overlooking the ever-tenuous opportunity to add another scorn-laden and smug “article” about Arsenal to praise and say thank you and goodbye to a departing player. Sterling stuff as always Republic of Mancunia, you are a beacon amidst the dark puerility of football supporters.”
You have.
“You guys” was referring to your site. Second one was a sweeping generalisation, so apologies. Obviously I don’t believe all United fans to be like some of the people on here.
Jeoff, what are you doing on this site if you detest the people on it so much, and what makes you or your club different or better?
Already answered that one Steve. No need to get defensive either, I haven’t at any point said that me or my club is better- nor is it relevant.
I wasn’t getting defensive I was just inquiring actually.
say what you want about him but he has led hundreds of lads against people who hate united . He would never walk past a united fan getting filled in i,m sure you would run a mile GARY . I know who i,d rather go to Liverpool away with (if he could still go ) . To top it off with the hatred against us i,m glad we have a firm that can more than look after themselves .ta scott