‘I was a top football hooligan – prison was no punishment, it helped make me famous.

Football hooliganism was common in the UK during the 1980s and 1990s, with the clubs most notorious for their violent supporters being Millwall, West Ham, and Leeds United.

An anonymous football hooligan was delighted to be sentenced to prison because it enhanced his notoriety.

Football hooliganism first gained popularity in the second half of the twentieth century, drawing a large number of adults and young boys into a violent lifestyle. Although the rise of CCTV and stronger police tactics has resulted in a reduction in numbers over the years, many people continue to participate in the activity today.
And, in a society when reputation is everything, a stint in prison can be beneficial. Those who live ordinary lives can achieve heroic status through their alter personas and benefit from the attention that comes their way.

One such thug admitted that even the potential of imprisonment did not deter him; in fact, it was practically an enticement.

“When I got nicked, it didn’t matter much to me. And it was also a bit of a badge of honour,” the unnamed ex-con, who goes by the moniker Jack Lewis, told the Legacy podcast series (via Wales Online). “It’s proof that you are legit, and you’re not just a hanger-on.”

The series’ creator, Sam Diss, characterises football terraces as “a battleground not just for your club, but for identity [and] belonging.” He discusses how capitalism has “hosed down the People’s Game” in modern football, with hooliganism essentially eliminated from the sport compared to its former presence.

‘Jack’ described how a life on the edges might drive men to embrace football thuggery as an escape. His statements shed attention on the problems of the working class, who frequently romanticise violent lifestyles in order to fill any voids in their lives.

“If you’re a young man from a working-class background in Britain, you probably ain’t got a lot else going on in your life,” he said later. “If you have a job, it may not be one you’re particularly passionate about, even if it offers promising career opportunities. [And] if you don’t have a job, you’ll be sitting around doing nothing all week. You’re not too optimistic about life [nor] a lot of hope.”

“So this small amount of recreational disorder and violence is your source of excitement in life. That’s essentially what it comes down to. This is how to have fun. It also provides you a sense of status and purpose in your life. I believe many people, particularly those in the media, fail to grasp the mentality behind it because they have never been in a situation where they have no chances and no hope.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *