Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Required Reading, 25 Dec 2000
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.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
classic jounal of the 'terrace days" of football, 1 Oct 1999
By A Customer
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.
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Excellent, 10 April 2005
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 there. No bias like certain other books, it is excellent. As a follow up go for Armed for the Match by the same author.
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