- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Pocket Books; New edition edition (3 Jan 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0671853651
- ISBN-13: 978-0671853655
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 13 x 1.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 274,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
An account of life on the terraces in the 1970s and 80s, this book is an inside story of a football fan. Colin Ward's experiences at Arsenal, Chelsea and England matches, at home and abroad and his experiences of camaraderie and confrontations, chavinism, hatred and colourful terrace characters are charted. He is outspoken on drunkenness, racism and unprovoked viciousness and has harsh words to say about the attitude of politicians and the media to football hooliganism.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
Colin Ward published this in the early years before any of the other 'lads' jumped on the band wagon. If you watched football in the 80's I guarantee you will be laughing or crying by the end of the first chapter. Colin was there and portrays what it was like to be football supporter before it became 'fashionable'. A classic on par with Fever Pitch for the humour and quality.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The cover of the edition I read is emblazoned with the phrase "The Classic of Football Writing," and for once I'm almost inclined to agree. Ward's book was the first (that I know of) to write of soccer hooliganism from the insider perspective. Ward's account is important in that he was neither an outsider to the violence, nor a central provocateur, and thus perhaps best represents the "average" hooligan of the '70s and '80s. Ready for a punchup if the situation called for it, ready to run if outnumbered, and disdainful of the more excessive violence (knives, etc...) and crazies who were attracted to the hooligan scene. He writes honestly about what he did and saw going to see Leatherhead, Arsenal, Chelsea, and England. It is in the "England Away" chapter that he really gets indignant about the behavior of his fellow fans, sharply critiquing their behavior abroad (see John King's novel England Away). By the end, one gets the impression he's fed up with the new, more organized system of hooligan gangs, police crackdowns, and has gotten out of the violence. It's an excellent and quick reading book for understanding the terrace culture of the '70s and '80s. For a great fictional insight into this area, try The Football Factory by John King or for an academic study, see Football Hooligans: Knowing the Score by Gary Armstrong.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Well crafted account of Ward's coming of age in the 70's and 80's world of terrace violence. A number of books have since followed, and perhaps been influenced, by this work. Makes for eye opening reading with accounts of infamous terrace characters and various offs. The author's style is not self promoting however and Ward always keeps his sense of perspective. His other books are well worth reading too, full of intelligent oppinions of the way football has changed, for both better and worse.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Overrated
I'm amazed this book is regarded as some sort of "classic". It's poorly written, rambling and fairly incoherent. Read more
Published on 9 April 2009 by R. P. Sedgwick
Excellent
The original and possibly the best book on terrace culture. If you want to know what it was like to at football in the 70s & 80s then this is the book - you will feel like you are... Read more
Published on 10 April 2005 by TheGuvnor2
An unrivalled masterpiece
A grear account of days on and off the terraces.Colin ward truly hits home on this one.Maybe, if this book was read on a wider circle people would have come to understand a little... Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2000
classic of its day
I'm surprised only one septic has bothered to review what is after all a classic in terrace culture books. Read more
Published on 5 Dec 1999
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