England, My England: The Trouble with the National Football Team [Paperback]

England, My England is subtitled "The Trouble With The National Football Team" and there certainly has been trouble over the last 20 years or so. In this, the Brimson brothers' follow-up to Everywhere We Go, the violence that follows the England football team, both in this country and more infamously on foreign shores, is analysed, along with the similar problem connected with English clubs sides playing on foreign soil. As in the authors' other books, a mixture of general discussion, description and first-hand account is used to build up a picture of the truth behind the accepted image of the "hooligan" element associated with the national side. While never less than condemnatory about those guilty of causing and looking for violence at and around football, they attempt to uncover angles much ignored by a headline-obsessed media. The brutality of foreign police receives more than a cursory mention for the problems it has posed to innocent travelling fans, while the seemingly unjust singling out of England's followers for criticism is also highlighted. The German and Dutch fans are no angels either, yet hooliganism remains the "English Disease." Moreover, the Scots' reputation as a friendly bunch belies another alleged history of extremely violent behaviour. Covering the roots of politically inspired football trouble and the reasons behind the success of the Euro '96 competition held in England, all aspects of the problem receive the fair coverage seemingly at the heart of the Brimsons' mission. Once again, they have provided an eye-opening, if occasionally chilling, read. --Trevor Crowe

'Quite simply brilliant' (Sky Sports Magazine )

Football violence, known everywhere as 'The English Disease', is as widespread today as it has ever been. ENGLAND, MY ENGLAND is the book which finally exposes what life is like among the most feared group of supporters in the world - the England fans. Featuring first-hand accounts of trips abroad, it explores many of the issues and myths surrounding the subject, and explains why some fans behave so differently when following their country compared with their club. in particular, the events of Euro 96 are reviewed in detail: where did the organisers get it right - and where did they go wrong?

Born in 1959, Dougie Brimson is a former football hooligan who spent 18 years in the RAF. He is the co-author of four non-fiction books on hooliganism with his brother Eddy, and two on his own. He has written three novels for Headline, including THE CREW, which is being developed into a film.