British police are concerned with the emergence of a young generation of football yobs with incidents involving young people having almost trebled. Movies such as ‘Green Street Hooligans’ and ‘Football Factory’ provide a narrativised insight into the savagery of hooliganism, but the reality is that the brawling ‘geezers’ are still a cause for concern.
Police said that the ruffians are targeting the lower league fixtures where there are fewer resources and security control. During September there were 3211 bans, some 290 of which were just teenagers. The youngest was just 13.
The BBC procured interviews with two brothers, both in their early 20s. This dynamic duo has been banned from football matches until they’re 30. You won’t want to miss out on hearing from these “perfectly decent gentlemen”, who give a candid account of their experiences as gang members and their role in (literally) fighting for their club, whether they’re winning or losing.
I couldn’t believe my ears when they explained that they “fight in other towns to give Coventry City a good reputation”. Not quite the crème de la crème of British society, by any stretch of the imagination.
[BBC]
