- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: Pennant Books Ltd (11 Oct 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1906015058
- ISBN-13: 978-1906015053
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 16 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 376,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
The problem of hooliganism among English football supporters has been a major cause for concern for over 30 years. Has the war on hooliganism been won? Can it ever be won? Whose war is it anyway? Stott and Pearson take an engaging look at the different policies, strategies and tactics used by the government to tackle football hooliganism. From the use of 'robo-cops', tear gas and water-cannon to the imposition of Football Banning Orders, the authors explain the origins, limitations and thinking behind this powerful and far-reaching use of legislation.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This powerful book presents the hidden story of English football `hooliganism'. This account differs from the plethora of hooligan autobiographies currently on the market, however, in two important ways. First, it is not an account of personal `glory', but the backstory to an ambitious research project carried out by social scientists. Second, it serves to challenge the very notion of `hooliganism' as it is used in common sense, media accounts and by the authorities.
One of the most impressive features of the book is the way that a scientific project is described without the usual jargon and dry turgid prose of a scientific text. The two authors, Cliff Stott and Geoff Pearson, manage to convey in very human terms the profound sense of injustice that many travelling English fans have felt at their treatment when travelling abroad to watch their teams play. `Football "hooliganism"' is page-turning stuff, and readers will find themselves emotionally engaged with the story. Cliff and Geoff have been with and in these crowds of travelling fans. They are able to understand their experiences from the inside, as well as to explain how such fans sometimes come to be defined and treated as `hooligans'.
But what makes this book a must-read for anyone interested in football `hooliganism' is the authors' radical view of the nature of such `hooliganism'. The problem for the common sense representation of the problem is encapsulated in the following facts. On the one hand, banning orders have prevented known hooligans from travelling abroad, yet have not prevented mass violence involving English fans abroad. On the other hand, when known hooligans have been present at matches abroad, hooliganism, or mass disorder, doesn't necessarily follow. Over fifteen years of research on crowd-police interaction in and around football matches has suggested that the presence or absence of `hooliganism' is explicable in terms of policing styles. The book documents how `heavy-handed' policing, which presumes that fans are hooligans, can operate as a self-fulfilling prophesy, creating the very problems that the authorities fear.
While the book presents a critical perspective it is also a constructive one. The ultimate test of the authors' `hooligan' hypothesis was what they describe as `the biggest social psychology experiment ever carried out'. When the European championships were held in Portugal in 2004, the researchers were able to brief half of the local police forces involved with the principles derived from these research. Fan behaviour at events policed by these forces showed almost a complete absence of hooliganism, whereas in other areas the `English disease' was still evident. The intervention was judged such a success that Cliff and Geoff's research later came to inform the European Union handbook on the policing of football fans abroad.
This fascinating book will be of interest to football fans, social science students and researchers, and anyone interested in the risks, possibilities and excitement of real-world research.
One of the most impressive features of the book is the way that a scientific project is described without the usual jargon and dry turgid prose of a scientific text. The two authors, Cliff Stott and Geoff Pearson, manage to convey in very human terms the profound sense of injustice that many travelling English fans have felt at their treatment when travelling abroad to watch their teams play. `Football "hooliganism"' is page-turning stuff, and readers will find themselves emotionally engaged with the story. Cliff and Geoff have been with and in these crowds of travelling fans. They are able to understand their experiences from the inside, as well as to explain how such fans sometimes come to be defined and treated as `hooligans'.
But what makes this book a must-read for anyone interested in football `hooliganism' is the authors' radical view of the nature of such `hooliganism'. The problem for the common sense representation of the problem is encapsulated in the following facts. On the one hand, banning orders have prevented known hooligans from travelling abroad, yet have not prevented mass violence involving English fans abroad. On the other hand, when known hooligans have been present at matches abroad, hooliganism, or mass disorder, doesn't necessarily follow. Over fifteen years of research on crowd-police interaction in and around football matches has suggested that the presence or absence of `hooliganism' is explicable in terms of policing styles. The book documents how `heavy-handed' policing, which presumes that fans are hooligans, can operate as a self-fulfilling prophesy, creating the very problems that the authorities fear.
While the book presents a critical perspective it is also a constructive one. The ultimate test of the authors' `hooligan' hypothesis was what they describe as `the biggest social psychology experiment ever carried out'. When the European championships were held in Portugal in 2004, the researchers were able to brief half of the local police forces involved with the principles derived from these research. Fan behaviour at events policed by these forces showed almost a complete absence of hooliganism, whereas in other areas the `English disease' was still evident. The intervention was judged such a success that Cliff and Geoff's research later came to inform the European Union handbook on the policing of football fans abroad.
This fascinating book will be of interest to football fans, social science students and researchers, and anyone interested in the risks, possibilities and excitement of real-world research.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Anyone expecting another typical book on the 'antics' of the football hooligan (or as it's called in this book 'hoolie porn') will be disappointed.
Instead you'll find a serious attempt to understand how and why acts of disorder happen around football matches, and the way policing, the media and government have affected it, and tried to prevent it happening.
The book looks at various high profile events, including the Roma V Utd game in 2007, Liverpool in Athens for the Champions League final, the World Cups of Italia90, France98 and WM2006 and European Championships of 2000 and 2004.
The thing that struck me when reading the book was the wealth of studies into crowd dynamics (not just at football). As a former sociology student, I hadn't realised how much work had been done in this area. Clifford and Geoff attempt to compare and contrast these various studies and use them to back up their own research, both as observers at the various championships listed above, and from interviewing others present.
The book highlights the attempts to legislate against football related disorder, sadly seemingly driven by hysterical (and often totally inaccurate) media reporting. The high profile banning of known trouble makers is contrasted with the fact that those arrested abroad generally have no history of being in trouble with police at all, and the book explores the way people's behaviour in a large crowd can differ greatly than if they were alone or in a small group. You may have a different opinion on 'the English disease' after reading accounts of those present, although the book never suggests that English fans are innocents abroad.
But the interesting thing is the various methods used by police to prevent disorder in the first place, and controlling it as it kicks off. The baffling thing is that, even when presented with firm evidence of what works well and what doesn't, there seems little enthusiasm to implement the good methods uniformly. The European Championships in the Netherlands and Belgium highlights this, with the Dutch based games being relatively peaceful, comparing with the infamous plastic chair throwing and water canons competition in Belgium. Guess where the good methods were employed?
A parallel is drawn with the poll tax riots (at which Clifford was present). Again, police handling is seen as helping create the tension that resulted in the mass disorder that day, again turning people in a large crowd into something completely at odds to their normal, individual behaviour.
The book doesn't try and suggest solutions, but lets the evidence speak for itself. They by no means suggest that the hooligan has disappeared, but have produced a book that tries to explain why some games experience trouble and some don't, and the contributory factors that breed the problems.
Should be recommended reading for every police chief, home secretary and newspaper editor.
Instead you'll find a serious attempt to understand how and why acts of disorder happen around football matches, and the way policing, the media and government have affected it, and tried to prevent it happening.
The book looks at various high profile events, including the Roma V Utd game in 2007, Liverpool in Athens for the Champions League final, the World Cups of Italia90, France98 and WM2006 and European Championships of 2000 and 2004.
The thing that struck me when reading the book was the wealth of studies into crowd dynamics (not just at football). As a former sociology student, I hadn't realised how much work had been done in this area. Clifford and Geoff attempt to compare and contrast these various studies and use them to back up their own research, both as observers at the various championships listed above, and from interviewing others present.
The book highlights the attempts to legislate against football related disorder, sadly seemingly driven by hysterical (and often totally inaccurate) media reporting. The high profile banning of known trouble makers is contrasted with the fact that those arrested abroad generally have no history of being in trouble with police at all, and the book explores the way people's behaviour in a large crowd can differ greatly than if they were alone or in a small group. You may have a different opinion on 'the English disease' after reading accounts of those present, although the book never suggests that English fans are innocents abroad.
But the interesting thing is the various methods used by police to prevent disorder in the first place, and controlling it as it kicks off. The baffling thing is that, even when presented with firm evidence of what works well and what doesn't, there seems little enthusiasm to implement the good methods uniformly. The European Championships in the Netherlands and Belgium highlights this, with the Dutch based games being relatively peaceful, comparing with the infamous plastic chair throwing and water canons competition in Belgium. Guess where the good methods were employed?
A parallel is drawn with the poll tax riots (at which Clifford was present). Again, police handling is seen as helping create the tension that resulted in the mass disorder that day, again turning people in a large crowd into something completely at odds to their normal, individual behaviour.
The book doesn't try and suggest solutions, but lets the evidence speak for itself. They by no means suggest that the hooligan has disappeared, but have produced a book that tries to explain why some games experience trouble and some don't, and the contributory factors that breed the problems.
Should be recommended reading for every police chief, home secretary and newspaper editor.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
First things first, there appears to be a mix-up on Amazon around this book and another non-related book. So the "paperback" link, and one of the negative reviews are unrelated and should be ignored.
It should be said that this book is not a light read. That is a good thing considering the depth that the authors go into to justify their research and subject, but it does mean that if you need to make a commitment to reading it. A light read on the coffee table this is not. The authors are both academics, and that is reflected in the book style, and although it is certainly not written as a paper or with endless references, is feels weighty rather than light. This is not a criticism but simply something to be aware of.
The book explores the authors' own research and first-hand experiences around abroad football hooliganism--that is, when England are playing abroad--and makes the consistent point that the entire notion of "hooliganism" is outdated. Specifically, the claim is made that both the mad-mob and gang-leader theories are not correct, despite constant media portrayal. Instead, the book explores the idea that the primary contributing factors are a misunderstanding of English football culture, fear and inaccurate reporting, and indiscriminate (unjust even?) policing due to those misunderstandings and fears. This is very similar to the conclusions reached by one of the same author's in a more recent book "Mad Mobs and Englishmen", albeit within a different context.
Personally, I found the book enlightening and fascinating, and I ended up agreeing with all the authors' conclusions, not least due to the sheer amount of good quality evidence they have amassed. However, I suspect that not all will enjoy this book, especially those who come with fairly traditional views of policing and crowd dynamics. It really is a bit of a Marmite interpretation and theory, and you'll either lap it up or find it highly repulsive!
I would also mention that although this book focuses on football hooliganism, the ideas and conclusions reached have far wider implications that just 'soccer'. As such, I would also recommend this book to anyone with an interest in crowd behaviour, policing (and poor policing), and how social identity within the crowd can dramatically effect the risk assessment.
Buy this book, and sit down somewhere where you can concentrate on it properly ... and buy it whilst you can, as it looks like it is now out of print unfortunately.
It should be said that this book is not a light read. That is a good thing considering the depth that the authors go into to justify their research and subject, but it does mean that if you need to make a commitment to reading it. A light read on the coffee table this is not. The authors are both academics, and that is reflected in the book style, and although it is certainly not written as a paper or with endless references, is feels weighty rather than light. This is not a criticism but simply something to be aware of.
The book explores the authors' own research and first-hand experiences around abroad football hooliganism--that is, when England are playing abroad--and makes the consistent point that the entire notion of "hooliganism" is outdated. Specifically, the claim is made that both the mad-mob and gang-leader theories are not correct, despite constant media portrayal. Instead, the book explores the idea that the primary contributing factors are a misunderstanding of English football culture, fear and inaccurate reporting, and indiscriminate (unjust even?) policing due to those misunderstandings and fears. This is very similar to the conclusions reached by one of the same author's in a more recent book "Mad Mobs and Englishmen", albeit within a different context.
Personally, I found the book enlightening and fascinating, and I ended up agreeing with all the authors' conclusions, not least due to the sheer amount of good quality evidence they have amassed. However, I suspect that not all will enjoy this book, especially those who come with fairly traditional views of policing and crowd dynamics. It really is a bit of a Marmite interpretation and theory, and you'll either lap it up or find it highly repulsive!
I would also mention that although this book focuses on football hooliganism, the ideas and conclusions reached have far wider implications that just 'soccer'. As such, I would also recommend this book to anyone with an interest in crowd behaviour, policing (and poor policing), and how social identity within the crowd can dramatically effect the risk assessment.
Buy this book, and sit down somewhere where you can concentrate on it properly ... and buy it whilst you can, as it looks like it is now out of print unfortunately.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
not another one
yet another hooligan book, this time from probably the smallest team and smallest hooligan firm yet. Like all the others, this book is full of the usual rubbish and lies. Read more
Published 5 months ago by S. Dockrell
Reviews are for this book
There are 5 reviews on this page are for this book and not MIG Crew as the previous reviewer states. There is only one that has been made incorrectly.
Published on 11 Mar 2010 by C. J. Stott
The above 6 reviews are about a different book!
The 6 reviews here are about 'Football Hooliganism: Policing and the war on...' NOT 'Mig Crew'. For reviews on 'Mig Crew' check 'Mig Down', as it was originally titled.
Published on 3 Feb 2010 by Soca Casual
A must-read for journalists and police officers everywhere
Every time there is a major football tournament, the newspapers print the same horror stories. What can be done about these rampaging thugs? Why are football fans so badly behaved? Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2008 by Roxy Monoxide
Enjoyable book.
I feel that this book is one day going to be a classic of the age, its not a short book like many of this type and has an individial style that i liked very much. Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2008 by MalcolmWhite
Opened My Eyes
Easy to read, not at all acacemdic, the more I read the more interested I became. From the research the authors had carried out it became apparent that the "English Disease"... Read more
Published on 16 Jan 2008 by TJ
interesting but didn't exactly bowl me over
I think it's written in a good way but after a while it's getting a bit boring. In between it cost me quite an effort to read on.
Published on 11 Jan 2008 by korky97
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