British Politics Review Journal of the British Politics Society, Norway Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013

The beautiful game Football in British politics and society

CONTRIBUTORS

Stephen Barber • Alasdair McKillop • Geoff Pearson • Arve Hjelseth • Jan Erik Mustad • Lin Åm Fuglestad Stephen Jenkins • Knut Øystein Høvik British Politics Review Editorial Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013 Football’s wider role ISSN 1890-4505 ”We are the best in the world! We are the best in the world! We have beaten British Politics Review is a quar- England 2-1 in football!! It is completely unbelievable! We have beaten England! England, birthplace of giants. Lord Nelson, Lord Beaverbrook, Politics Society, Norway. With con- Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Anthony Eden, Clement Attlee, Henry Cooper, terly journal issued by the British- Lady Diana--we have beaten them all. We have beaten them all. Maggie nalistic sources, the British Politics Thatcher can you hear me? Maggie Thatcher, I have a message for you tributionsReview is aimed from academicat everyone and with jour a general interest in political develop- in the middle of the election campaign. I have a message for you: We ments in Britain. have knocked England out of the football World Cup. Maggie Thatcher, as they say in your language in the boxing bars around Madison Square British Politics Society, Norway Garden in New York: Your boys took a hell of a beating! Your boys took is politically neutral and has no col- a hell of a beating!” lective agenda apart from raising - This famous tirade (here in translated form) was uttered by tish politics among the informed theNorwegian interest public. and knowledge of Bri TV on 9 September 1981, after Norway had sensationally beaten Editorial team Norwegian football-commentator Bjørge Lillelien on Norwegian grandioseEngland in position a World that Cup football qualifying has alwaysmatch inhad Oslo. in Norwegian The words society, speak Øivind Bratberg [Editor] butfor themselves. it also says Not something only does universal Lillelien’s aboutoratory the serve asymmetry to illustrate in the Kristin M. Haugevik [Associate Editor] relationship between Britain and Norway at the time. In football as Atle L. Wold well as in politics, Britain was a giant and a world player, while Norway PostalJannike addressElmblom Berger in both respects was a small power. The fact that the commentary P.O. Box 6 Blindern has been listed several times by British newspapers as one of the N-0313 Oslo, Norway greatest pieces of sports commentary ever could perhaps also be Email seen to illustrate some of the warmth in the relationship between the [email protected] two countries - good friends can afford friendly competition.

Website www.britishpoliticssociety.no British Politics Review has neverToday, beforefootball received is one of so the many key dimensionsrequests about of Britain an upcoming and Norway’s issue. Print relationship. A simple illustration is this: Reprosentralen, Oslo, Norway

Cover photo One of the consequences of this is that we for the first time publish a - special 20-page edition of the journal. dium following the 4-2 win over West Øivind Bratberg and Kristin M. Haugevik (editors) England celebrate at Wembley Sta 1966, which gave the nation its only Germany in the World Cup final of - gold medal in a World Cup. [Published Contents under Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-NoDerivsManuscripts 2.0 Generic Licence]. Within a relatively broad fram- for political authenticity Arve Hjelseth pp. 12-13 British Politics Review wel- StephenKicked in Barber touch? Football as a proxy pp. 3-5 The white game? comes articles on British politics Why football and not sports ’hooliga- andework, society, preferably related to Rangers, Scotland and Unionism the thematic area set for each issue Alasdair McKillop pp. 6-7 Geoff Pearson pp. 14-15 (announced in the previous issue nism’? and on our website). Please contact - Professional football and the First the editors at World War George Best: Northern Ireland’s para [email protected] Stephen Jenkins pp. 16-18 doxical peacemaker Knut Øystein Høvik p. 8 Subscriptions and cultural identity statement 12 Sep 2012 pp. 19-20 Jan’Us’ Erikversus Mustad ’Them’: and Football supporters Hillsborough Report: Prime Minister’s Please contact us at Lin Åm Fuglestad pp. 9-11 [email protected] NOK pr year

2 British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2 |Spring 2013

By Stephen Barber There have long been props in

find a politician who did not listen to the Arctic Monkeys KickedBritishpeople politicalpipe (he life. inpreferred Think touch: ofcigars Harold in football asand a most proxy like to be photographedfor authenticity on a bicycle or jogging. Wilson smoking a man of the Edelected Miliband’s leader, ‘secreta fact rather vice’ is overshadowed Desperate Housewives by the (more he interviewed doing the washing told the Mirror in an interview shortly after he was private)up (misleadingly or Margaret Thatchercomparing being a 30 seconds. Such glib shortcuts to authenticity, then, household budget to the economy). believable)do not always revelation go smoothly. that he Number can do a10 Rubik’s was forced Cube toin its media machine on the country, Butfootball since support New Labourhas become unleashed the Dr Stephen Barber is issuehe appeared a statement unable clarifying to name that his Primefavourite Minister biscuit Gordon when Reader in Public Policy shortcut of choice to authenticity. at South Bank Brown ‘likes anything with a bit of chocolate on it’ after University, Fellow of the problem in presenting their rather abnormal leader as Global Policy Institute questionednormal. by a MumsNet reporter; such was Labour’s appeal to voters’ tribal instincts, it and author of the book Tragedy of Riches. He Andcan bewhile observed its power that might it coincides lie in an is also a regular television with a trend towards a political and radio commentator on policy and economy issues. Research has shown just how this communication of state; professional and youthful politicians’articles which “personal refer to qualities” the personal has increased.lives of leaders Ana Inésand classpoliticians, holding untroubled the great by offices conventional of careers, who Langer for instance has charted the proportion of news argues, of the “Blair effect”. It is instructive that this showsphenomenon how they has rocketed coincided in thewith 1990s: a professionalization a symptom, she canclaimed claim support ever decreasing for a football kinship team with is a thepowerful typical way voter. to of front line politics where the pool from which leaders Asdemonstrate part of the a armoury politician of really their is appeal in touch at thewith ballot ordinary box, people. To understand why being a committed supporter has become such a prerequisite for political authenticity, are drawn is increasingly shallow. A typical career runs it is necessary to analyse how Tony Blair and New aselection follows: to PPEParliament at Oxford while into still bag in carrying the 20s forand an rapid MP orpromotion ‘special without adviser’ the to atime Minister, even for selection an apprenticeship for a seat,

Labour used football as a metaphor for modernisation a normal person, cosseted as it is in the unreal world of and normality. This article makes the case, however, on the back benches. Thisthe is hardlypolitical the elite. life experience But without of thatof implausibility the reason David but because Cameron he has struggled to repeat recognisable vocational careers the trick is not so much because and executive experience ingrained football was into the supporting electoral bids, haselectoral failed message to appreciate and ultimatejust how appeal rests with their appeal of Blair at a time when purported normality. the game was undergoing a popular revolution. One can be sceptical about the veracity of the messages The Key is Authenticity, if deployed. There is an you can Fake That.... instructive literature on the 2010 general election overload, notably produced by During campaign, Liberal Democrat David Laughrin, which shows leader Nick Clegg let it be known just how little leisure time that he enjoys the Channel 4 modernIn one now politicians famous enjoy. cynical And programme Come Dine With the evidence speaks for itself. Me,turns a to showhost a which dinner throws party. about his favourite food told strangers together as they take episode,a reporter Tonyin trendy Blair Islington asked big fan of the quaint detective that it was polenta while , it seems was a separately boasting that it was dramamissed X-Factor. Midsomer For a Murders time in in his Northern constituency. Get it, son. Tony Blair, the then Leader of the Labour Party, while2008 it Gordonwas near Brown impossible rarely to takes part in a football-heading contest with Kevin Keegan fish and chips to the local paper in Brighton, 1995. Photo: Neil Munns / PA 3 British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013

It is not all football, then, is the observation. Politicians ambition as a child had been to play for Newcastle United and how he tried to persuade his (Tory) “dad” to help him construct a host of interests designed to make them narrative of his “generation trying to get to a different appeardisposable ‘normal’. and forgettable But these in comparison pop culture to the shortcuts political get a trial: “he never did”. It goes on with the personal to authenticity can be said to be rather superficial, politicians would now dare to concede the beautiful type of politics” overlaid with images of track-suited Blair requirementgame bores them to support to tears, a football none has team. used And football while quite few playingwas indeed the agame man itself.of the And people, with football denim secured wearing, its guitar place playing,in delivering Galaxy an driving important brand part driven of the reminders political thatmessage. Tony between football support and democratic politics one like Tony Blair. To understand today’s connection Aping the Euro ’96 chart topping theme, it allowed Blair Newhas toLabour’s understand Coming the Home. exploitation In the by build New up Labour. to the to make the claim in a speech ahead of the 1997 poll that “Labour has come home to you. So come home to machine more powerful than any seen in Britain before us. Labour’s coming home. Seventeen years of hurt. 1997or since. general With election,its rapid response the Labour unit party and single-minded built a media NeverThis was stopped perhaps us dreaming.cleverer than Labour’s retrospect coming affords. home”. pursuit of the message, it managed and manipulated for a century and little has really changed (when 40% of football was an early triumph, helped enormously by Football players have remained distinctly working class the fact news that cycle their to young electorally leader devastating could boast effect.a bit of Andball degrees). But support has become much more middle the population goes to university, think how many have Fever Pitch coordination. At the 1995 Labour Conference Blair class since ‘modernisation’ in the 1990s. Emmonn competently headed the ball back and forth with Kevin Walshwhose citesformative Nick Hornby’s memories had been at leastthe 1966 reflecting World a Keegan. The images said so much of Blair - energetic, generation coming to professional affluence in the 1990s, vibrant, in touch - by comparison with the now jaded successfully attracted and perhaps included a much less Conservativepolitical images; government something led which by Johncannot Major. be said After for Cup. Indeed, these were sort of voters which New Labour all,slumping the passion in front and of oomphthe television of football to watch make Midsomer for great. class conscious Britain; the very ‘classless society’ which identified but ultimately failed to energise.

But it did not end there for New Labour. Football was Butmission more to thantear down this, the protectionism breakaway and from opened the Football up the modernising in the mid 1990s, just like politics. It had Leaguegame to inthe 1992 ravages very of muchthe world. reflected No longer the Thatcheritewere there put behind it the dark days of the 1980s when Britain equal votes for unequal success or redistribution of becameNew stadia, known new formoney, hooliganism new international and (separately) players and the lastinga new political premier image was of the Hillsborough tragedy. a few self-made league, football income. In came market forces and upward mobility of had entered a new era. It was men, personified a metaphor for by Alan Sugar andmodernisation Greg Dyke. combined with Andwere behindRupert the Newthat expert Labour media and management, the sport was a MurdochBroadcasting. and the resource to be emergenceFor Blair, of thisSky exploited by Blair association

British party likeleader no before other showednow embraced just how him (or since). much Labour had self-regulatory It formed part themodel free generally market, and at a time party election when it made ofbroadcast the ‘biopic’where Shoot-out. Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom, President Barack Obama, sense to ordinary Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, President François Hollande of France and others watch the overtime shootout of supporters. camera that his the Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich Champions League final, during the G8 Summit at Camp David, Blair confided to Maryland, 19 May19, 2012. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza 4 British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013

The Governing Body. The football theme continued into government; though usually deployed to distract notconsistently casually andthrown with about precision in the at ahope time of when making the game their leaderitself was look experiencing a bit normal. a popular It was revolution.deployed deliberately, attention from a more serious political issue. As Prime Minister,his government’s Blair appeared controversial on the 90 BBC’s day detention Football plans. Focus in 2005 just as he faced Parliamentary rebellion over turns out that football’s modernisation was built on As with other concepts embraced by New Labour, it During the 2006 European Leaders’ Summit, Number 10 briefedconcentrating journalists on salvaging repeatedly the collapsed that Blair (and was unpopular) searching flawed thinking. Overstretched clubs, bankruptcies and for a screen to watch the World Cup rather than dubious overseas funding mean that the today has become a toxic brand while there is weak EUlonger Constitution. be hidden And from as the feudpublic, between it was Primefootball Minister which governance at the FA. An image of a political leader with andwas Chancellorchosen to present Brown an became image soof harmony.intense that The it camerascould no an arm around a club chairman is unlikely to engender kudosdoes not with offer real convenient fans (and voters). metaphors The sport, at a time with of its public great wealth,spending ‘overpaid cuts and stars’, austerity. personal Indeed, and financial one might scandals argue werebeer. It invited was not in forgotten to film Tonyunder and the premiership Gordon watching of Brown the match together in Downing Street, each sipping a cold the game’s common appeal is that football itself is now thatout of a keytouch; reason representing that Cameron that whichhas failed went to wrongcapitalise with of either, with the football press invited to Downing Street the political embrace of neo-liberalism in the 1980s and earlyoffer inon, 2010 though from by thisthis Raithtime LabourRovers hadfan lostto appear its edge as in a media management. The BBC it seems turned down an football legacy, now considered as the shortcut to political 1990s. But while Cameron can only make limited use of 2 pundit. Nevertheless, there is a lasting sporting clichés to demonstrate he is a man of the people, thereinstance are offerssurely the avenues tangible for footballappeal of to returning once again clubs reflect to normality. The question is why has David Cameron been thecommunities political and climate. to represent His cherished social values ‘big society’beyond the for Davidunable Cameronto capitalise in his the own Second support Division? for the game? It is a near prerequisite of today’s politics for leaders to declare is neither widely understood nor has it gained real financial.traction since Unfortunately 2010 and forthe the coalition’s government, media big machine society proved no exception in his attempt to use the sport as is decidedly substandard when compared to that of its supporta proxy for for authenticity. a football team Indeed, and he David has a Cameronnice claim has to predecessor. evidence his Aston Villa fandom: his uncle, Sir William a strategic message, partially explains why football Dugdale, was Chairman of the club 1975-82. Cameron Becauseis proving support no more is justpowerful scattered than about Midsomer today Murders without hasthem been play photographed QPR conveniently jogging coinciding in a Villa top with emblazoned the 2011 as a shortcut to political authenticity for the Prime with his name; he took his son to Loftus Road to watch the game represented the important political message Labour Conference; he invited to Downing Minister or any of the current crop. For New Labour, Street to discuss England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup. Despite taking these leaves from the Blair play ofsupposed modernisation normality. and While celebrated party leaders free marketscontinue atto anbe book, Cameron has never really been successful in using electorally critical time just as much as it illustrated Blair’s football to convince voters that he is one of them. And it is2001 not thatsimply he becausewas not asome football find fan). it difficult Rather to it believe is because (he drawnthe evolving from political a narrow climate political there elite, will flippant be opportunities claims to ‘admitted’he has not appreciatedto the Commons the sheer shortly effort after that his went election into the in footballonce again fandom to associate seem here it with to stay. emerging But if the policy game ambitions reflects and represent a powerful proxy for authenticity.

New Labour message and the context. Further reading: Cameron’sdescribed him.Achilles’ It would heal is be that easy he isto seen conclude as out thatof touch; this a privileged ‘posh boy’ as even one of his back benchers and- Ana the InésBlair Langereffect’, The (2010): International ‘The politicization Journal of Press/Politics of private persona: exceptional60-76. leaders or the new rule? The case of the United Kingdom ‘Bullingdon Boy’ image is the reason that his football , 15 (Jan.): support has fallen flat. So-called ‘heir to Blair’ he partially detoxified the Conservative party but his modernisation potential- David Laughrinremedies for (2009): it’, The ‘SwimmingPolitical Quarterly for their lives—waving or remained superficial and simply did not reflect the root drowning? A review of the evidence of ministerial overload and of and branch conversion of New Labour. The Cameroons football’, BBC News Magazine, 5/3/12. 80: 339–50. have perhaps failed to appreciate just how committed - Emmonn Walsh (2012): ‘Fever pitch and the rise of middle class New Labour’s architects were to the message of modernisation. However it might appear, football was 5 British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013

By Alasdair McKillop was to eliminate Old Firm matches from the Scottish

Thefootball. Rangers-Celtic It has maintained rivalry this is position one of theinHas recent fiercest nationalism decades and best despite known a incollapse world transformed football Glasgow’s calendar for the football first time in over rivalry? a century. in the standing of Scotland’s club and A self-inflicted financial crisis at Rangers resulted in the rivalries, its intensity is derived from a clubentry finding into administration itself in the Third and Division subsequently of Scottish liquidation football. in nationalnumber of sides. longstanding Like all greatand somewhat sporting The2012 political of the company significance that ownedof Rangers Rangers demise coincided is that, with the stereotypical sources, some of which Alasdair McKillop is an an unprecedented level of speculation about the future are more mythical than real. The independent author based in Edinburgh. He holds stereotypical Rangers fan is supposed an MA in History and to be a Protestant and a supporter of the Politics and a MSc in ofSNP the government United Kingdom;-they in 2011 was were the catalyst the two for biggest scheduling news Scottish History from the storiesa referendum in Scotland on Scotland’s in 2012. Thefuture election within of the a majority United University of Edinburgh. McKillop is the co-editor maintenance of the United Kingdom of Follow We Will: announced as 18 September 2014, by which time the of Great Britain and, importantly, The Fall and Rise of Kingdom.constitutional The datequestion for the will referendum have dominated has recently Scottish been Northerndescendent, Ireland. and someone His Celtic who equivalent favours Rangers, forthcoming at Luath Press. wouldthe cause be aof Catholic, Irish nationalism, most likely possibly of Irish had to contend, not only, with the crisis that engulfed even the more extreme expressions of Irish republicanism. politics for three years. The bulk of Rangers fans therefore The extent to which these accurately describe the average fan of either club in 21st century Scotland is open to theirof fans football who favourclub but Scottish the prospect independence of the break-up would of have the challenge but they still have prominence in the popular stateexperienced the majority contrasting of them emotions. identified The with. many The minorityRangers imagination and the rivalry is dependent on each side fans from the unionist community in Northern Ireland believing the worst about the other. The fact that the two would have experienced a different mixture of football and clubs share the same city and are the most successful in the history of Scottish football also adds to the constitutionalto home but it anxiety.is also possible The intensity that the of recent Scottish loyalist question flag protestsmight have no doubtbeen a shifted minor attention contributor back to to the matters disaffection closer antagonismIn recent years, for which the the relationship ‘Old Firm’ rivalrybetween is renowned. Rangers which manifested itself in occasionally violent ways. unprecedented changes. Since the advent of devolution in andScotland, Celtic sectarianism has undergone has become significant a far more and prominent arguably issue and one that has attracted much media and political Tomorganised Gallagher, cultural the authorBritishness of numerous which Rangers academic has studies stood attention. Popular accounts have blamed the Old Firm for onfor has politics been anda huge religion source inof frustration Scotland, has for the argued: SNP, which ‘The the continuation of the hostility between Protestants and heartland even as it has progressed elsewhere.’ Some hasevidence been blockedfor this mightelectorally be found in the in club’s the localWest elections of Scotland of Catholics,viewing it despite through academic the prism work of thewhich Old would Firm counselrivalry. against inflating the importance of sectarianism and they give expression to the politically and religiously 2011suggested which the saw SNP Labour government win a shouldmajority assist on RangersGlasgow inCity its Moreover, fans have been challenged about the ways Counciltime of need despite in a bidpredictions to woo sceptical of an SNP fans breakthrough. and demonstrate He tintedParliament cultures passed surrounding the Offensive both Behaviour Rangers at and Football Celtic. between an independent Scotland and the remainder In 2011, the SNP majority government in the Scottish that it genuinely believed in the idea of a ‘social union’ minor platitudes, not forthcoming. There are a number of andwas Threateningcontested and Communications opposition to (Scotland) the bill was Act (whichvoiced ofpossible the United explanations Kingdom. for this. Such The help prospect was, beyondwas met some with came into effect in March 2012). The legislative process opposition from those hostile to Rangers receiving any notopposed just bythe fansbill in but a number by church of ways, leaders from and chants members and ofbanners other politicalat football parties. matches, Both protest Rangers marches and Celtic and fans in assistancehelping an institutionand it seems with unlikely an associated that the political SNP and culture First Ministerthat was Alex a complication Salmond would on havethe road risked to unpopularity independence. by Parliament. Shared opposition to the bill might have Furthermore, the SNP had itself, been recently responsible personoffered a before platform the for Justice mutual Committee co-operation. of the But Scottishfurther for casting Rangers in a problematic, even negative reconciliation was hindered by the reaction to the light, during the passage of the offensive behaviour act.

financial collapse of Rangers, one of the results of which 6 British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013

The recent crisis and straining of relations built on a longer history of unease between Rangers and dominant discourses in politics and public life. Rangers are sectorold order and of courting the last of30 Fred years Goodwin of British and politics’ others collapsingpre-crash occasionally referred to as the ’quintessentially British bywith our Rangers entire political very much class.’ among In addition, the rubble. he referred In this to: way, ‘the club’ and the British and unionist iconography associated with the club and fans had put them at odds with Scottish society as nationalist sentiment and support for devolution the crisis that had befallen Rangers – the quintessentially British stateclub –in was recent packaged years. up as and sold as a natural as far as the 1960s, when other Scottish narratives and extension of the multiple crises that had afflicted the grew in the 1980s and 1990s. Some trace this process back Yet it is still seemingly possible for a Rangers fan to favour Scottish independence and the Scottish undercurrents of identitieshad a long started history to of emerge. being regarded This is all as the a surrogate more significant for the as prior to that the rise of nationalism, ‘Rangers already Reid, the former editor of The Herald, the Rangersthe Rangers culture support. should One not Rangers be overlooked. fan quoted Scottish in a Scottish nation in a sporting sense.’ According”The British to, Harry andnationalist sympathies have likely always existed within unionist iconography ‘Rangerswere a decenthad standards club representing and dignity, associated with the bookI always by thewill. journalist I believe Ronnie in independence Esplin stated: and ‘I voteif it asomething sense of pride resolute-aye and self-belief: ready-in they club and fans had SNP. I always have done and at the moment I think the Scottish character and their realise that we are a nation in our own right and that supporters were honourable happens,we have many I feel thingspeople to outside be proud the of.’ UK Such may sentiment begin to people.’ But the Rangers fan who odds with Scottish putsociety [Rangers]...” at the Rangers Supporters for Independence group mightwith has reflect been the promoted position by of thosethe nationalist involved withblog said:up for Britain ‘I’ve always better than voted the for others. the They stand up for the Bella Caledonia. This is might be seen as opportunistic and Conservatives.Ulster Unionists.’ I believehad long they since stand found himself in a minority cynical given the blog’s undisguised hostility to Rangers. position. While British identity and support for the union remains a feature of Scottish society, these have become largely undemonstrative and increasingly divorced from Alan Bissett, a Scottish novelist and prominent supporter of the Yes Scotland campaign, has reflected on the tensions British state. inherentprotagonist within in his themost Rangers recent novel support Pack inMen his gives fictional voice unconditional identification with the institutions of the work.to some Grappling of Bissett’s with own unionismdilemmas. and In an sectarianism, interview for the Predictably, bloggers and commentators with nationalist current affairs magazine Scottish Review sympathies appeared to welcome Rangers’ misfortune. uncomfortable with unionism and that aspect of Rangers The Scotsman he explained: ’I’m

Gerryfresh, cleansing Hassan, air writing of democracy in has shown, contended:itself. Over supportingto identify with and very,I do thinkvery rich to a people certain who extent essentially that it isare a ‘footballthe summer, is the football first arena fans in our public life where the false consciousness and that Rangersthe controlling fans have interests been asked of across Scotland have come together, agitated, and organised and overturned Great Britain.’ the time-honoured seemingly place Rangers at stitch-up that would have Eventsodds with have popular conspired opinion to within Scottish football. keptoutdated a newco but still Rangers popular in standing in society has thenotions SPL.’ of This Rangers played onas Asprobably an institution, never thebeen club’s so a concept that has not corporate problems and ‘theonly establishment’class but political club, low.the basic However, footballing continuing need connotations. The same to return to the top both commentator also sought to divert attention away from the prospect of Scottish independence. This would link the Rangers situation to other high-profile issues. consequences for the club HeRangers argued: examples ‘The Murdoch could be haveand its far moresupporters significant but [sic], referendum and few seem conscious of the The Old Firm. Celtic FC vs. Glasgow Rangers, Celtic Park, 27 April 2008. looming danger. joined by many others; the collusion with the banking 7 British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013

By Knut Øystein Høvik Women and men, young and old, and South, from all layers of society of extramarital affairs, bankruptcy, Best could hardly be GeorgeCatholicand of different and Protestant, Best: political convictions, from Northern North Ireland’sdescribedstood paradoxical no chanceas a role of model. coping He with was peacemaker anthe exceptionally enormous pressure shy boy, they all worshipped football’s first whoand superstardom needed a football that orawaited a drink him, to expressas one scandal himself, led and to real superstar. So when news of the the next. So how does one explain the immense popularity early hours on 25 November 2005, death of George Best broke in the ofPerhaps one of life’shis tremendoustragic heroes? standing among his own was Knut Øystein Høvik is a down to the fact that he never got involved in the conflict in his childhood home in East Belfast Lecturer at the Department his native country. In the words of fellow Ulsterman Seamus wasfootball quickly shirts turned laid downinto a footballingin front of of Humanities, Hedmark University College. shrine.his father’s Among door the were flowers, the scarvescards and of Heaney:was undoubtedly “whatever the you fact say, that say Best nothing.” escaped Best Belfast always before kept his political and religious views to himself. More significant Celtic and Rangers, two clubs Best never played for. This waspeople testimony in Irish history of the incredible can be said unifying to have powershad the same– even gift in TheProtestants Troubles in began. a way thatMore no or other less untarnished person from bythe the province brush death – of Northern Ireland’s greatest ever footballer. Few ofcould sectarianism, ever hope toBest once united battle Northern lines had Irishbeen Catholicsdrawn. In and the divided people together. late 1960s and early 70s, while some of the worst atrocities of transcending all kinds of boundaries and bringing such a were being committed, Best the footballer gave his people The day he was laid to rest an estimated 100,000 mourners lined the rainswept streets of Belfast for what somethingoffered escapism priceless: on perfect pride. Saturdays. For those struggling to cope with tragic events like Bloody Friday and Sunday, Best describedParliament as Buildings “the biggest at Stormontfuneral since were [Princess used Diana].” Best There is a mural on Falls Road in Itfor had the all ceremony, the appearance which wasof a beamedstate funeral: live on the a united Northern nationalist West Belfast which shows number of TV channels around the globe. Viewers ”George witnessed the Best family saying goodbye to Protestants in a way Irishthat no Catholics other person and United manager Matt Busby with the dignitaries from the footballing community and EuropeanBelfast. It has Cup been and there George since before Best, the aprominent son, a brother guests and representing a father. Also political present Northern were from the province Protestantpeace process from started. working-class The absurdity East of Ireland, with reporters observing that sitting could ever hope to...” it all was perhaps best summed up by together were former political and paramilitary colleague at Old Trafford, who recalled newsreels during Paddy Crerand, Best’s closest friend and enemiesthe regard Martin in which McGuinness Best was ofheld Sinn and Féin how and far David his troubled Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party. It spoke volumes about The Troubles showing Catholic and Protestant youths United fan, and his republican cronies would once have throwing bricks and Molotov cocktails at each other, many homelandbeen happy had to blow come. up McGuinness, Stormont for a lifelongwhat it Manchestersymbolised on either side wearing Manchester United tops, all of them George Best fans. must also be seen in light of his combination of talent with to most Northern Irish Catholics, but there he was, paying Ahuman new nation flaws needsand vulnerability, its heroes. Best’s which universal most people popularity can homageabout the to threat the most issued famous by his Ulsterman organisation of allto shoot time. AsBest a recognize and relate to. Best may not be the ideal hero, but former IRA Chief of Staff, could he possibly not have known it is not hard to understand why Northern Irish politicians if he played for Manchester United away at Newcastle in 1971?saint would Whether not behe welcomeddid or did not,among the their IRA quicklyown. came to use the cult of Best for what it is worth. The South African its senses, realising that any attack on Ireland’s football government used the success of the Springboks during the 1995how to rugby cash Worldin on theCup seemingly in a similar never-ending way, uniting worldwide a divided people through sports. The tourist industry also knows “Where did it all go wrong, George?” It is one of British in his honour, and his childhood home has been turned into football’sthat ended most all toofrequently soon, and asked the partyquestions. that lastedPsychologists far too fascination with Best. Already, Belfast City Airport is named and football fans alike have tried to explain the career note. The message seems to be that this is how Northern aIreland guesthouse. wants Histo “sell” portrait itself even to the adorns rest of Ulster the world, Bank’s with £5 long.influence, Did Britain’s accused mostof beating infamous his wife, alcoholic involved really in deservea series Best as its public face. such a spectacular sendoff? Convicted of driving under the 8 British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013 identity By Jan Erik Mustad and Lin Åm Fuglestad In the last few is generated through the increasing consumerism decades, academic researchers have from all over the world spend abundantly on club Us versus Them: Football supportersthat takes place and at cultural the various grounds. Fans interest in football Needless to say, this commercialisation widens the takenand its an supporters. increased merchandisegap, not only between like shirts, supporters flags, caps,and clubs, scarves but also etc. Frequently viewing these groups from within, the studies Jan Erik Mustad is Lin Åm Fuglestad is betweenand Tottenham, the big and and the famous rest. clubs like Manchester have contributed to a Senior Lecturer at an English lecturer United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal Agder University Col- at Sygna upper better understanding lege, Norway, and the secondary school in of how the football author of numerous Balestrand, Norway. the football industry worthy of popular culture and books on British poli- Her Cand. Philol. Somesocial ofscience the aspects studies, mentioned and fans here are andefinitely integral make part tics and society. He is a thesis “Us versus as groups in their own regular commentator Them” (2003) of this environment, as their sense of belonging, culturerights and works, as part both of in the Norwegian forms the basis of this and their investments in the club, emotional and society as a whole. media. article. other, remain strong, albeit sometimes in spite of developments in the clubs. fans often regard themselves, both in relation to Cultural Identity Thistheir articleown group takes and a dual in relationperspective to others. on how We football bring states in his famous novel Fever Pitch (1992) that “football is an alternative. The English universe” writer (p. Nick 135), Hornby and this suggests that football fans, those “on the inside”, in elusive concepts like culture and identity, while realisingnote how thatthe self-awarenesswe cannot do theseof fans adequate has developed justice they have their own “units of time” measured in in recentjust a shortyears article.and how It theyis, however, often legitimate interesting their to haveseasons a specific rather andthan unique calendar worldview: years, and for they instance, share own existence using phrases such as culture and experiences and values that others do not have. identity. This is perhaps one reason why academics devote more time and attention to these groups. separate culture, as they inhabit “a different version Hornby’sof the world” novel (p. 164), supports implying the idea both that the differentness fans form a and the sameness that fans share. be the transference of football from a game with Another reason for this increased interest may middle-class orientation, where money and TV a predominantly working-class base to a more The term culture probably has as many definitions its supporters more visible to society as a whole. as there are people writing about the subject. Kultur,In this rightsThis does play not a larger mean part, that hence all supporters making the can game now and be articlekulturanalyse we have og decided kulturetik: to focus Eller on Hanshvad Gullestrup’sadskiller og categorised as middle-class, but it indicates that definitionforener os? (1993, of culture, p. 54) translated from the game has been commercialised and moved in a Culture is the worldview and the values, moral laws business venture. Foreign ownership and fresh and actual behaviour - as well as the material and direction where clubs operate more like any other non-material expressions of these – which people inherit from the previous generation; which they – capital has led to inflated player salaries and dearer possibly in an altered form - seek to transmit further tickets for supporters who, on many occasions, to the following generation; and which in one way or cannot afford to pay the asking price. Clearly, the another set them apart from people belonging to other knock-on effect of this development is that the stands cultures. arethe filledexpense with of people local patriots. with strong This purchasing has subsequently power, andled tooften increasing jetted in antagonism from overseas, between taking supportersup seats at on the one hand and clubs and their owners on the football supporters in mind, it contains aspects other, as supporters feel that their game is being Althoughthat are relevant this definition in this context. was not Fans written share with the

tactics, its history, its heroes and villains and so sacrificedplayers, buy for and economic sell players profit, at sums and earlier in some unheard cases knowledgeon. In other ofwords, how thethey game share works, a worldview, its rules values and liftedof, and out gain of most the localof their area. revenues Clubs fosterfrom television well-paid and behaviour, setting them apart from other social groups.

rights. Additionally, a substantial amount of income 9 British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013

cap signals that you feel “similar” to other people Anone interestinggeneration andto importantthe next. pointFootball made culture in the inwearing relation a Tottenham to other groups: cap, but wearing you feel a Tottenham“different” definitionis transferred is thatby culturea variety is of transmitted channels, fromboth Faith criteria for group membership, we create a boundary of our Fathers: Football as Religion (1997) uses the fromindicating people that wearing anyone a Liverpoolbeyond it shirt.does Bynot defining belong termconsciously “indoctrination and unconsciously. ”, thus demonstrating Alan Edge, in how to our group. In this way, all communities draw boundaries around themselves, signifying that not relatives), peers, surroundings and, increasingly, everybody can participate. For someone to be inside, stronglymass media. fans By are observing influenced fans by around parents you (or and other on someone also has to be outside. TV, and by discussing and watching football with other people, you learn what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. This apprenticeship, where more experienced supporters teach young ones Footballhand there fans, is the like internal other cultural process groups, of negotiating go through your what is expected of them as fans and members of twoidentity main as a processes “real” fan in of relation identification. to other Onfans the in your one their culture, is crucial for the young fans’ feeling of group; to show that you really are an insider. On the collectivism and belonging. other hand there is a constant struggle for unity and

One way of transmitting culture is through storytelling, what we can call the oral tradition of inclusion,a normally presenting heterogeneous an image group, of the it groupis important as a unified that football. It consists of passing on stories, songs, myths entityyou give in relationan impression to the outside of homogeneity world. As aby member focusing of or legends, sharing tragedies, successes and history with the younger generation. These are important within the group strengthens the “in-group” identity, parts of the cultural heritage and help young fans onwhich differences again helps from tothe form outside. negative Creating stereotypes similarities of to understand the others. The idea of “others” being be a dedicated less normal than what it takes to and inferior to “us” Samovar et al. say is a common notion supporter.in Communications Larry A. among football Between Cultures supporters. a culture to exist ’Us vs. them’. (1998),and endure, p. 43:it must “For Football is often ensure that its compared to war, crucial messages and and similarities elements are passed to warfare are on” . metaphors used In order to signal to reflectedabout the game in and the the outside world its players, managers which football culture you belong nature of football to, or which team andis also fans. seen The warlikein the you support, physical fans’ relationship appearance very with their team. They see themselves away. If you wear quickly gives you part in the battle to asdefend soldiers the honour taking aTottenham Chelsea cap, scarf, you a of their team, and Liverpoolimmediately shirt reveal or a demonstrate this to others which role by giving cultural group you themselves names identify with and

part of. This cultural The global game. Mural at the Pub ”Chelsea Arms” in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. like the Red Army defineidentity yourselfis formed as Photo: Sigismund von Dobschütz or the Toon Army.

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80s, it became at war, football more hostile Likefans need other enemies, armies and violent. In the 70s and 80s these primarily in in particular, andcompeting they teams find tribal warfare and their fans. was a problem that tarnished the fans is to urge the reputation Thetheir mainteam task on of of football fans, while at the same but during the time intimidating 90s the game the enemy, and was ”cleaned consequently the up,” conditions language used for fans were is often violent, improved and the violence to a great extent using”crush” words and ”hate.” like moved away ”beat,”This ”hatred” ”kill,” from the stadia. of the enemy is built up through tribalism of these war rhetoric Over here. What is sometimes referred to as mob football was played between neighbouring However,decades caused the and propaganda, towns and villages, involving an unlimited number of players with the object of moving the a lot of ”bad ball (or other suitable object) to a geographical point within the opposite party’s domain. maintaining and Crowe Street, London, 1721. Artist unknown. blood” between strengthening fan groups, and existing stereotypes. The enemy is highly stereotyped so the tribal boundaries, the intimidating language and portrayed as deviant, amoral, bestial and and the stereotyped enemy images remain. Besides, subhuman, and is through such dehumanisation maintaining an image of a deviant and despicable made easier to hate and thus wage war against. common enemy is an important factor in the

part of the identity of fans. where towns, villages or neighbourhoods would play unification of the ”in-group” and is thus an integral Inagainst the Middle each Ages other, an earlyand formhere of thefootball was played ”Football is often “us” is a vital element in forming an either as supporters or in the actual compared to war, and Depicting“in-group” “them”identity. asFacing different a common from whole population would take part similarities to warfare enemy seems to be a strong unifying or into the next parish, where the factor, particularly if the whole world fight to bring the ball across town is your enemy, as it creates an “us between football teams and their metaphors used about against the rest” situation. In order goalsurrounding was. This community, created a strongand traces link arethe game reflected and its players, in the to strengthen their group identity of such communal involvement can managers and fans. and feeling of belonging, fans form be observed in the tribalism that stereotyped images of other fans, governs the game today among which means that the whole idea of hard-core fans. Foreign owners of football is also seen in cultural and social identity depends on British clubs often underestimate Thethe warlikefans’ relationship nature of the importance of these local ties, with their team.” your identity is not only determined which contributes to the antagonism howwithin one the group boundaries views the others.of your Hence, own between these owners and their clubs’ supporters. in relation to others; how you view others and how The modern version of the game, from the middle of groupothers –regard it is constantly you. We negotiatedunderstand and from renegotiated this, that the 19th century, started off as quite peaceful and culture and identity are movable entities that change over time. Football supporters, as social groups, also the game increased, much due to media coverage and friendly. However, in the 1960s the competitiveness of a scholarly interest in them, as they are important tribal boundaries reappeared. There had been change,contributors and thisto the is angeneral additional debate reason about for cultural taking increasingbanter between financial rival interest, groups ofand fans as earliera consequence as well, identity in Britain. but from the 60s, and increasingly in the 70s and

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By Arve Hjelseth with underprivileged white men. Over the last two decades, by contrast, a lot of effort has been devoted The face-lift which English football to include women, families and ethnic minorities. The Thewentscrutiny through white and indebate. the game? first Whathalf of the cultural change is readily noticeable also among core 1990s has been subject to extensive supporter groups, where racism has been sharply 1992 amounted to was a broadening inaugurationof appeal by of reorienting the Premier the League sport in on audience culture shows that homophobia is fading reducedas well. thoughThe bottom not eliminated. line of this Moreover, interpretation research is to become a . that although some groups may see themselves as A Brand New Ball Game Arve Hjelseth is a up market. Football was intended Senior Lecturer at the excluded by the commercialisation of football since mention that of white trash Dept for Sociology and Theinappropriate working-class to a Britain image which – not had to Political Science, the problem before. Norwegian University largely dismantled its industry – wasand of Science and Tehcnol- 1992, exclusion of a cultural kind was a more severe replaced its postwar characteristics ogy and associate fellow These developments notwithstanding, football in at the Centre for Law, Society and Popular Football was not only expected to Culture, University of and rituals which undoubtedly can be alienating to with those of the financial economy. Westminster. He has England remains embedded in cultural practices also to attract an audience willing to published extensively pay. on the sociology of older today, a fact which is evidently related to costs. reflect its own contemporary era but sports and culture. certain groups. One key transition from the 1980s is that the average ticketholder on English stadiums is

Butwhite these men areare predominantlyalso a characteristic white feature men. A on visible the Roughly speaking there are two competing presenceterraces of in the most lower Premier divisions. League Women venues, are present adult interpretationsby writers and ofsome the researchers, transformation the ofdominant English football. Among supporters, and often underscored its original fans by out-pricing them and by putting ininto far considerationsmaller numbers, the andmulti-ethnic fans of African character or Asian of narrativeconstraints has on their been behaviour. critical: football The has excluded ethnicity are remarkably rare, especially if we take latter is illustrated by the ban on ” groups have only led to limited change in standing areas on the terraces of in most Premier Englishterms of cities. presence All thein stadiums. efforts to include these the ban served to marginalise a A visible presence To perceive this as a real problem could easily English football venues. Effectively, adult white men are be overplaying the case. It should come as no while football had been a Leaguealso a characteristic venues, surprise to sociologists that different groups quintessentialcatalyst for collective cultural euphoria, practice: feature on the divide over what leisure activities to pursue. the commercialised Premier terraces of the lower divisions.” consumption of entertainment. Nevertheless,class, multi-media it is interesting phenomenon, to reflect still nurtures on how League was a venue for passive Englishcodes and football, practices despite which being area global, intimately cross- It remains a common assertion that the price for

football has been the marginalisation of traditional connected to itsSoccernomics classic working-class image. modernising and raising the popularity of English a far more positive note. For one thing, the sport has Into theirmost bookother countries, still, Simon recruits Kuper players and Stefan from supporters. But the alternative interpretation strikes Szymanski show that football in England, contrary and violent behaviour. Football clubs have also piloted sincenumerous 1990 campaigns worked consistently against racism to quell and homophobia.hooliganism a socially limited pool. An impressing majority of From this vantage point, the modern image of football playersexplanation wearing is found the England in the jersey football over culture the last yearsitself. has not been discriminatory; on the opposite, reforms have parents from the working class. One possible have opened the doors for groups that previously Among the many stereotypes about football players´ field of interests – fast cars, night clubs, Playstation feltmasculinity excluded. which Traditionally, could easily English be perceived football as both has and gambling – there is certainly a grain of truth. It beensexist, dominated homophobic by aand strikingly mildly whiteracist. working-class The football iswith easy intellectual to imagine credentials people with may other opt interests for a different finding audience cultivated values and practices associated littlecareer to than talk professionalabout in the bootfootball. room, and young people

12 British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013

What all this suggests is that football is a ritual that

Probably,harassed as such gay reasonsbecause werehe had prevalent academic when interests Graeme and community that are stable and form and which may be Le Saux, a and later Chelsea player, was sustainsalienating and to outsiders.takes further It is groundedsocial relations in the andnotion forms of the of originated among spectators, but also from opposing was a keen reader of . That abuse not only if the audience today is differently composed in terms of gloriousclass. Within past ofthe the football white context,industrial men working from theclass, middle even players,on the pitchbrought and to on the the limelight terraces, by isLe characterised Saux´s infamous by classes adopt (or return to) codes and behaviours that clashanti-intellectualism, with Liverpool´s and Robbie this isFowler. largely Football maintained culture, in are otherwise remote. expectations to players and teams are still dominated It would be wrong to contend that women and ethnic the modernised, globally oriented Premier League. The loyalty, discipline, collective commitment and the ability today. On the contrary, much has been done to attract byto acceptthe values pain. that constituted the working class ethos: minorities are excluded from English football stadiums sense is more appropriate when it comes to people on womenlow incomes. in particular. What I have To talk wanted about to exclusion argue in in this the article strict homophobia have been largely successful, the football is rather that, beyond the shift towards more tolerant Despiteritual therefore the fact remains that efforts a homage to counter to the racism masculine and attitudes on race and sexual orientation, the underlying community as it unfolded in the heyday of the industrial culture of the terraces has been resilient to change. This is contrary to widely held beliefs that everything has stadium are dominated by white men of all ages. changed. Rather, the middle class that has been lured workingOne could class. imagine Prior that to families the game, and pubs people around of other the into football stadiums have adopted existing cultural ethnicities have other places to commune, but inside practices. themen, stadium not only the about picture football is largely but aboutthe same. life. AIt pre-matchillustrates characteristics deeply embedded in the sport itself and meeting in the pub is the occasion for easy talk among Malewhich communitiesare understandably in English cherished football today. stadiums Supporter had consists of more than the game. To people that are less culture moreover is generally historically conscious. an important characteristic of the football ritual: it international impulses to a larger degree than before, attracted by pub culture, it shows that knowing and Althoughit also represents renewing deep-seated itself continuously continuity and and adopting respect lovingYoung themen sport often is accompany not sufficient their to enterfathers the and inside of it. The People’s Game. The grandfathers and thus approach the ritual from an inherent paradox is that football terraces attract people early age onwards. In some cases it is an open question for what was once known as whether they will maintain it as part of their own lives, especially when the from a broader set of backgrounds than before but who team in question nevertheless would like to be more of the same. is in the lower Further reading: divisions. But sons and grandsons have been socialised this ”Fans,- E. Cashmorehomophobia and way for ages, and andJ. Clelandmasculinities (2012): in football remains an ”, British Journal of Sociology male community importantin Britain. Ittoken is a of The Beautiful 63 (2): 370-87.Game? community of beer Searching- D. Conn for the (2005):Soul of Football than wine, as it has drinking rather . London: YellowThe whereas verbal EndJersey of Press. the Terraces. The alwaysexchanges been. may And be Transformation- A. King (2002): of English rough, bordering Football in the 1990s. on vulgar, it is also Press. an environment Leicester University characterised Emirates Stadium, the home of Arsenal FC. Opened in 2006, it exemplifies the renewal of English football: the arrival of foreign investment, improved stadium facilities, more by warmth and expensive seats and attraction to the middle class: yet subscribing to a spectator culture where Soccernomics.- S. Kuper and S. humour. a lot of features remain the same. Photo: Kieran Lynam. Szymanski (2009): London: 13 Nation Books. British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013

By Geoff Pearson One of the enduring questions about the phenomenon of football crowd Whydisorder or football ’hooliganism’ is and why it not sports”hooligan”This ”hooliganism”? overstatement firms to is the not development helped by the of plethora large scale of footballexaggerated disorder, and sensationalised particularly in depictions the United of Kingdom.’hooligan’ the problem and not other sports. is that only football is afflicted by the causes of football hooliganism culture in popular media. Although hooligan firms are Manyfocused of on the the early question explanations of whether for active, their numbers remain relatively small (in the UK afootball ”firm” intelligence of more than units 40 are individuals typically actively able to identify seeking Dr. Geoff Pearson is a toand engage manage in theseviolence groups is highly and prevent unusual) confrontation. and in the UK, (in comparison to apparently more Lecturer in Law at the it was something in the working- Management School, class make-up of football support University of Liverpool The most infamous and widespread instances of large and Director of Studies scale football crowd disorder are almost all the result not middle-classsuggested that followers it was of sportssomething like for the MBA (Football Industries) programme. rugbyabout orthe cricket). sport itselfOther that explanations inspired He is author of two extremes of excitement and emotion books, Football Hooli- of gangs looking for confrontation but of normal football that boiled over into quasi-tribal ganism (2007 with Cliff supporters who find themselves the victims of what they Stott) and An Eth- confrontation and violence. nography of English perceive to be unjustifiable, indiscriminate and often Football Fans (2012). aggressive policing tactics. Despite media reporting In fact this is not an entirely accurate and some official claims at the time, rioting involving starting position for debate, as crowd disorder and English fans in Marseille (France ’98), Charleroi (Euro 2000), Rome (AS Roma v Manchester United, 2007) and Rangers fans in Manchester ahead of the 2008 UEFA Cup violence does occur in other sports. Cricket has seen Finalfactors was that not led caused to an by escalation ”hooligans” of small looking incidents for trouble. and frequent incidents of disorder both in England and Insteadcaught up it wasordinary the result fans, manyof a complex of whom set may of interlinked had never abroad (particularly in India), as have sports like rugby been involved in violence before. league, boxing, American football and ice hockey (most notably the 2011 riot in Vancouver). Even Royal Ascot – Research into these and other incidents theseen annual sporadic UK incidents horse racing of violence. meeting Indeed, frequented by the by academics from the disciplines establishmentthe starting point and for even any discussion the Queen on – hasthe ”[I]t was only from of social-psychology, sociology, causes of football crowd disorder needs to the late 1960s (when criminology and socio-legal studies (as be the realisation that it is not a football well as auto-ethnographical accounts phenomenon but a crowd phenomenon. travelling in large from those caught up in such instances of disorder) has consistently implicated Nevertheless, there is no doubt that Englishnumbers fansto startedaway football is the sport with the reputation matches) that football factor in why football riots occur. ”Show for disorder, and that football appears to gained its reputation certainof force” styles policing of policing involving as being the theuse key of be the only sport which has a problem as being a focus for riot gear, crowd dispersal tactics and disorder.” an indiscriminate approach treating the gather with the intention of confronting crowd as a homogenous group rather with organised gangs or firms that than targeting individual offenders, was disorder and violence was a frequent feature of football firmsmatches from from rival the teams.birth of Although the professional crowd game in the example, the use of baton charges and water cannon as 19th century, it was only from the late 1960s (when typicallya response more to a likely minor to incident escalate of problems. disorder In involving Charleroi only for a handful of individuals resulted in a previously peaceful matches) that football gained its reputation as being a Englishfocus for fans disorder. started This travelling reputation in large has numbers since played to away a crowd of England fans fighting back against the police. and excitement of gang violence to football rather than The most stunning statistic from the disorder that took significantto other sports role -in although attracting other those non-sporting who enjoy activitiesthe thrill place involving England fans in Belgium at Euro2000 also provide a platform for the satisfaction of these was that only 3% of the 965 England fans arrested intentions. were known to the UK authorities as being ”suspected troublemakers”. ”Friendly but firm” approaches involving officers engaging positively with fans, on the other hand, were less likely to result in public disorder even in high However it is easy to overstate the relevance of organised risk scenarios where ”known hooligans” were present. 14 British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2| Spring 2013

This brings us onto to be placing the second reason why football’s and arbitrary historical unjustifiedrestrictions on the freedom it more prone to of movement reputationcrowd disorder makes of supporters than other sports. who have not travelled with rugby league the intention Unlikeor other cricket,sports, of engaging football is less in violence. Interestingly, experiments likely to be policed inmanner the low profile,that neutral sections ’friendly but firm’ whichin the UK withmix of public disorder. home and away reducesInstead the many risk fans have met police forces are ”No EnglishHooligans at World Cup”. Posted by MacLeod Cartoons, 7 July 2010. with some very See http://macleodcartoons.blogspot.no/ positive results. confront football more likely to The threat posed by football crowds in terms of violence and disorder is in most cases overstated. crowds”hooligans” with from high engaging profile in ”show violence. of force” This profound policing, While football’s historical reputation means that some inmisunderstanding the mistaken view of the that nature this is of likely football to dissuade crowds individuals do attend matches with the intention of engaging in violent confrontation, these groups are no intention of engaging in disorder feel that their typically small and - with pro-active policing that inlegitimate fact makes aims, disorder rights and more freedoms likely as are fans being who unfairly have compromised. be isolated from the main body of the support and engagesmanaged withquite andeffectively understands (on a match-day fan groups at –least). can to occur in football crowds rather than other sports is usually a product of counter-productive policing Acrowds final factor comes in whydown disorder to the andissue violence of is more likely Larger scalemethods disorder used and to rioting try and on theprevent other these hand crowd size, particularly in relation the historical groups engaging in disorder, which in turn to visiting supporters. Football is the ”[T] draws what we might call ”non hooligan” most popular spectator sport in the reputation of football world, and draws crowds that dwarf crowds as being escalates problems far beyond anything most (although not all) other regular fansthat the into hooligan conflict groups with theon policetheir own and sporting events. Obviously the larger has the potential to could achieve. Where football matches prone to ‘hooliganism’ are policed as crowd events, employing becomes to manage and the greater prophecy... management and policing strategies that the crowd, the more difficult it ” emphasise crowd safety and the facilitation occur that need to be policed. become a self-fulfilling of legitimate spectator expectations the likelihood that incidents will (including access to alcohol and freedom to associate and create ”atmosphere”), there is no reason why over (with the most obvious exception of Spain), there is a time football matches should be any more prone to Equally significant is that in Europe in particular instances of disorder than other sports. again, the historical reputation of football crowds cultureas being of prone travelling to ”hooliganism” support for awayhas the fixtures. potential Once to Further reading: Hooligans: Knowing the Score. Berg. policing strategy for managing large groups of rival An Ethnography of Football Fans; Cans, Cops and fans is to try and segregate them spacially, both inside Carnivals- G. Armstrong (1998): become a self-fulfilling prophecy, because the usual - G. Pearson (2012): , Manchester University Press. has the potential to exacerbate the ”us and them” crowds’,- C. Stott, British J., Hoggett Journal and of Criminology G. Pearson (2012): ‘Keeping the peace: andrivalry – as between far as is possiblesupporters – outside of rival the teams stadium. and Thisalso social identity, procedural justiceFootball and Hooliganism: the policing Policing of football and the War on the English Disease 52, 2: 381-99. between supporters and police, who may be perceived - C. Stott’ and G. Pearson (2007): creates another potential flashpoint of confrontation . Pennant Books. 15 British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013 Professional football and the First World War. The formation of the Footballers’ Battalion By Stephen Jenkins When war was declared in the unhappy about professional footballers being paid to summer of 1914 there was a huge swell of patriotism felt throughout the country. It is well documented kick a ball around a field, whilst their family members that most people thought the andto mainly friends originate were riskingfrom Scotland their lives where with a group many making the ultimate sacrifice. This attitude seemed consequently it was felt that life be curtailed and seemed to be accentuated when the warshould would carry be on over as bynormal Christmas, or as knowncasualty as lists ‘stoppers’ were published wanted all in professionalthe national press.sport to close to normality as possible.

in urgent need of recruits and in Stephen Jenkins is of encouraging professional footballers to consider However,the early months the British it relied army on wasthe Deputy Chairman of Sir George McCrae, MP for east Edinburgh had the idea Leyton Orient Support- campaign led, amongst others, ers’ Club. Having spent not long before players from a number of Scottish more than fifteen years ‘joining up’ to help sway public opinion, and it was his poster with the word’s YOUR researching Clapton Orient’s major contribu- by Lord Kitchener, famous for tion to the Footballer’s clubs did just that, including thirteen from Heart Battalion in the Great of Midlothian, also footballers from Dunfermline, COUNTRY NEEDS YOU with his War, his work has Falkirk,were to followRaith Roverstheir example. and Mossend Burnvale – all of resulted in the book They finger pointing directly at you. Took The Lead (2005) whom enlisted in the 16th Royal Scots. Many others common name for an army built and three major trips to This initiative proved to be very successful, so much ”Kitchener’sup with eager Army”and willing was young the the Somme in 2006, 2008 men, many of whom had lied about and 2011 taking over five hundred people to visit the their age and who wanted the battlefields and cemeteries sospecial that recruitingthe FA and meeting the War was Office held decided at Fulham to look Town to opportunity to go on a wonderful of northern France. do the same thing in England, and consequently a

land. They were all volunteers and were formed up Hall on Tuesday 15 December, with a view to raising a andinto battalions, exciting journey each of towhich a foreign had men from a similar battalionInitially only made the up foyerwith footballersand small andhall club was officials. opened for the meeting, however, so many people attended that the doors for the main hall were opened to let background or trade or who had come from the same town or village – these battalions were to become known as ‘Pals Battalions’. the masses in. At the far end up on the stage sat the indeed did carry on as usual except for the dramatic following: Mr W Joynson-Hicks MP (Chairman), Mr HG Withloss of the manpower war being in commerce raged across and the industry Channel, due life to Norris (Mayor of Fulham), Right Hon W Hayes-Fisher the successful recruiting campaign for volunteers, PC MP (President of Fulham FC), Right Hon Lord Kinnaird KT (President of the Football Asssociation), and positions they would not have dreamt possible Col Grantham, Capt Whiffen, Capt Wells-Holland andbeforehand. women took it upon themselves to take jobs (Clapton Orient FC), Messrs JB Skeggs (Millwall) and FJ Wall (Hon Secretary). Sport was seen as an ideal way to escape the pressures and stress of war, either by playing or watching such The hall was packed to the hilt with footballers, club officialsexcellent andspeech supporters followed by and passionate the atmosphere declarations was electric.and words The of Chairmanencouragement opened from proceedings several others with satan activitiesafternoon as with cricket, their football, family rugby and orfriends the like. watching People along him on the stage which was met by enthusiastic would still look to spend a couple of hours on Saturday appropriate time laughter. There was of course many their local team as they did before the outbreak of applausemoments of – seriousness and, due when to the it was excitement, underlined at as the to war.sports However, stadiums as hadthe firsthuge Zeppelinguns installed raids madeto fend their off why the meeting had been convened and the potential mark on the Country with civilian casualties, some

the aerial attackers. consequences of volunteering to join up to serve in should go ahead, despite unrest caused by a growing the Army in a time of war. This new battalionas ”The was Thenumber Football of spectators League decided who thatwere the felt 1914-15 increasingly season theFootballers’ 17th Battalion Battalion”. Middlesex Regiment (1st Football) – which was to be more commonly known 16 British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013

Following the speeches it then of over 20,000 came the moment ofspectators, a packed housenot for those who only did the Orient win the game 2-0, come forward up but straight after wished to join up to the match the ten players who had ontoup andthe stagetherefore – the first person to step recruiting meeting, sign up into the joinedgot into up at uniformthe first the first person to and (probably still sweating profusely) 17ththe wing Middlesex half wasand marched around Fred ‘Spider’ Parker the pitch with Orient Football other members of captain of Clapton the Footballers’ swiftly followed by Battalion, in a Club, he was then farewell parade before going off to Frank Buckley of Clapton Orient Football Club in 1913-14, the season preceding the start of the First France. Bradford City and World War. Serving in the Footballers’ Battalion, three of the players were to lose their lives during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Archie Needham of For many this Brightonthen followed and by Hove nine of his fellow Orient team mates. Albion. Parker was away from their home, family and friends, let alone would have been the first time they would have been Croydon Common FC also responded well with six playerssigned on and the Brighton dotted line with that a day. further three. However, finding themselves in a foreign country. They had despite the huge number in attendance only thirty five alreadywas the real attended thing. training camps at Cranleigh, Surrey Undaunted, further recruiting meetings were held and then Clipstone in Nottinghamshire but now this throughout the land with a view to establishing the The next few months saw the Battalion establish itself

Footballers’ Battalion. Meanwhile Clapton Orient’s in northern France with the rest of the British Army, chairman, Captain Henry Wells-Holland wasted little andstretched it was from soon the apparent North Sea that right a major down offensive to the Swiss was timehis intention in looking right to from add the to thestart initial of the ten war O’s to playersform a being planned to break through the German line that thatplatoon had made signed up upentirely at Fulham of Orient Town footballers Hall. It hadand beennow he had the opportunity to put his plan into action. Wells- border. Three major battles were to take place on the Western700,000 dead, Front the as Battle it was of to the be Somme known with – the more Battle than of Verdun whichan estimated resulted 1 inmillion combined casualties estimated and the figure Battle of Holland, aided by experienced and” influential midfielder of Passchendaele with an estimated casualty Robert Dalrymple, who had the ten players who had previouslythe remaining played members for Heart of were to be heavily involved in the Battle of the of Midlothian, encouraged [S]traight after the match figureSomme of which 600,000. commenced The Footballers’ at 7.30am Battalion on 1st sign on the dotted line, as recruiting meeting, got the Clapton Orient squad to joinedinto uniform up and at (probably the first to sustain serious losses as were so many other still sweating profusely) Julyunits 1916 on both and sides. consequently the battalion were were the Club officials. The marched around the pitch O’smasse were with the a total first of English forty- with other members of the footballone Orient club players, to join staff up and en supporters signing on the Footballers’ Battalion, in Manyof the storiesmost poignant of heroism tales were revolved to be broughtaround a farewell parade before to light during and after the conflict - one going off to France.” dotted line to serve King thedecided British to bring company four footballs commander up to the Captain front andFootball, Country. in the meantime ‘Billie’ Nevill of the 8th East Surreys, who carried on until the end of the 1914/15 season. line on the first morning of the Battle of the Somme,to clamber so thatout theyof the could trenches be kicked and forwardgo over towardsthe top. Clapton Orient’s last game that campaign was at the German lines once the whistle blew for the men home to Leicester Fosse on 24th April 1915. In front17 British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013

This, he thought would be a to resume his professional good way of distracting his football career. The general men from the fear of the hail public’s opinion of professional of machine gun bullets that sport, particularly professional would be coming their way. The football were swayed by the formation of the 17th immediately stepped up onto whistle blew and Captain Nevill Battalion, but in general the one of the balls forward, he did Middlesexidea of forming – The Pals’ Footballers’ battalions theso hetop was of the shot trench and and fell kicked dead. was not seen as a great success, This did not deter his troops

mainlysome towns due toand thevillages horrific to fromand eventually their objective, achieved their they casualtylose almost figures a whole that generation caused attacked the German defences of young men. subsequently found behind the objective – a football was

Germansuccess. lines and returned to Clapton Orient’s service and England as a trophy of their sacrificeBritain responded in the at Great a time War of is just one example of how

Clapton Orient’s contingent greatand the need O’s - they set tookan examplethe lead was, like their comrades in the justand asstandard Hearts for did other in Scotland clubs 17th Middlesex, really in the thick of it during the battle. Althoughso they saw they heavy were action not directly during aroundextremely the hard Country after tothe follow. war, involved in the opening week or However, the Orient found life died suddenly in 1922 aged the fighting in Delville Wood or theonly manager47, with Billysome Holmespeople The memorial unveiled in 2011 at Flers, on the Somme, to saying that this was due to ‘Devils Wood’ as it was to be commemorate the sacrifices of Clapton Orient Football Club known by those who came to during the First World War. the stress he had to contend knowThe O’s it andwere fight to inlose it! three of with throughout the war their players during the Battle of the Somme, Private

years, along with the severe decimation of the first team William Jonas, a fine centre-forward who was killed in squad as a consequence of the Club’s fine service in Delville Wood, Private George Scott, a man mountain the Great War. And then there was the consequence of of a defender who died of his wounds in a German Woolwich Arsenal’s move from Plumstead to Highbury military hospital in Le Cateau, and finally ace goal inhas 1913 never which recovered the Club since. had to contend with, it left Orient scoreras well Richardas during McFadden his military who service. was mortally Before thewounded war it struggling to survive and some would say that the Club nearwas recordedSerre. McFadden how he hadwas saveda hero a -man both from in his a burningcivil life building and then whilst on a training run along the river Croydonthe O’s as Common it was wound - the upother in 1917. Club to so readily serve it’s Country at a time of great need was not as fortunate as Leaexploits near continuedto the Orient’s in northern ground, heFrance jumped when into he the would river to save a young boy who was drowning. His life saving As we fast approach the centenary commemorations of keepbravery going and out was into subsequently No-man’s landin line to for rescue a commission wounded theOrient outbreak to the of Footballers’ the Great War, Battalion. the O’s supporters Three trips are to very the comradesbefore he lost – he his was life. awarded the Military Medal for his much aware of the major contribution made by Clapton people paying their respects, with the most recent Some would say that the Orient were fortunate to only Sommetrip culminating have been with undertaken the unveiling with of over the five O’s hundredSomme up, and indeed many other clubs did lose more players lose three of its number out of the forty one that joined memorialtrips envisaged in the for village 2016 and of Flers 2018. in northern France. A fourth trip is already booked for June 2014 with further but the majority of the Orient players that saw action sustained serious wounds, including the O’s ‘keeper Jimmy Hugall who was wounded three times - including WE WILL REMEMBER THEM an injury to his eye, and yet after the war he was able18 British Politics Review Volume 8 | No. 2 | Spring 2013

The crush barriers failed to meet safety standards. There groundhad been capacity a crush had at beenexactly significantly the same matchover-calculated. the year HillsboroughThe Hillsborough Independent report: Prime Minister’s statement Paneloversee was the established release of documents by the UK government in January 2010 to football disaster. Its report, before. And today’s report shows clearly that lessons had not been learnt. The report backs up again the key related to the 1989 Hillsborough of the ambulance and emergency services response. The about the event and its aftermath, finding of the Taylor Report on police failure. But it goes further by revealing for the first time the shortcomings groundbreakingwas released on in 12 its revelationsSeptember 2012. The article below is a transcript of Prime major incident plan was not fully implemented. Rescue show there was a delay from the emergency services . attempts were held back by failures of leadership and co-ordination. And, significantly, new documents today Minister David Cameron’ statement to the House of CommonsTo read more in about response the Panel to and the its report work, see http://hillsborough. independent.gov.uk/ whenSecond, people the familieswere being have crushed long andbelieved killed. that some of

account of events that sought to blame the fans for what Today, the of Liverpool, the Rt Reverend James the authorities attempted to create a completely unjust Jones, is publishing the report of the Hillsborough and attempts by the Police to change the record of events. Independentgreatest peacetime Panel. tragedies The disaster of the atlast the century. Hillsborough Ninety- happened. Mr Speaker, the families were right. The Several newspapers reported false allegations that fans football stadium on 15th April 1989 was one of the evidence in today’s report includes briefings to the media The Sun’s report sensationalised these allegations under a banner sixNottingham people died Forest. as a resultThere ofwas a crush a public in Inquirythe Leppings at the Lanetime headline “The Truth.” This was clearly wrong and caused Terrace at the FA Cup Semi-Final between Liverpool and were drunk and violent and stole from the dead. main cause of the disaster was “a failure of police control.” huge offence, distress and hurt. by Lord Justice Taylor which found – and I quote – that the But the Inquiry didn’t have access to all the documents News International has co-operated with the Panel and, that have since become available it didn’t properly examine the response of the emergency services it was followed by a deeply controversial inquest and by a media for the first time, today’s report reveals that the source for these despicable untruths was a news agency the families have not heard the truth and have not found reporting conversations with South Yorkshire Police quote - “to develop and publicise a version of events that version of events that sought to blame the fans. As a result, and Irvine Patnick, the then MP for Sheffield Hallam. The report finds that this was part of police efforts – and I and violence.” In terms of changing the record of events, justice. That is why the previous government – and in particularno stone should – the beRt leftHon unturned Member andfor Leigh that all was papers right should to set focused on…allegations of drunkenness, ticketlessness up this Panel. And it is why this government insisted that weTaylor’s already attention. know that police reports were significantly bebeen made reviewed. available It towas the right Bishop that of theLiverpool families and should his team. see altered but the full extent was not drawn to Lord Justice Mr Speaker, in total over 450,000 pages of evidence have a very limited amount of time to study the evidence so negative comments about the policing operation - thefar. Butreport it is first. already As a veryresult clear the governmentthat many of has the only report’s had Today’s report finds that 164 statements were significantly amended – and 116 explicitly removed

police and coroner while investigating the deaths. There is findingsThere are are three deeply areas distressing. in particular. The failure of the including its lack of leadership. The report also makes authorities to help protect people. The attempt to blame the important findings about particular actions taken by the fans. And the doubt cast on the original Coroner’s Inquest. new evidence which shows that police officers carried out police national computer checks on those who had died alcohol levels from all of the deceased including children. LetFirst, me there take eachis new in turn.evidence about how the authorities in an attempt – and I quote from the report - “to impugn failed. There is a trail of new documents which show the the reputations of the deceased.” The Coroner took blood as an “exceptional” decision. The report states clearly that was “compromised at every level”. The ground failed to The Panel finds no rationale whatsoever for what it regards extent to which the safety of the crowd at Hillsborough the attempt of the inquest to draw a link between blood exceptional for a social or leisure occasion”. meet minimum standards and the “deficiencies were alcohol and late arrival was “fundamentally flawed”. And well known”. The turnstiles were inadequate. The that alcohol consumption was “unremarkable and not 19 match to go ahead. It was wrong that the families have had

Mrenough Speaker, to uncover over all the these truth. years It is questions certainly truehave that been some raised of aboutthe language the role in of the the government government papers – including published whether today it was did tohappened wait for andso long tried – and to blame fight so the hard fans. – just(…) Itto was get to also the wrong truth. And it was wrong that the police changed the records of what properly at the response of the other emergency services. insensitive.be published But - the having Panel beenfound through no evidence every of documentany government – and that neither Lord Justice Taylor nor the Coroner looked everytrying government to conceal the document truth. including Cabinet Minutes will things to serve the public. Again, these are dedicated people who do extraordinary

At the time of the Taylor Report the then Prime Minister was But the evidence from today’s report makes very difficult briefed by her private secretary that the defensive and – I reading.a proper Mr apology Speaker, to thewith families the weight of the of the96 fornew all evidence they have in quote - “close to deceitful” behaviour of senior South Yorkshire thissuffered report, over it isthe right past for 23 me years. today Indeed, as Prime the new Minister evidence to make that officers was “depressingly familiar.” And it is clear that the then government thought it right that the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire should resign. But as the Rt Hon Member for weevents are -presented the failure with of the today state makes to protect clear their that loved these ones families and Leighand untrue has rightly narrative highlighted, that sought governments to blame the then fans. and since have suffered a double injustice. The injustice of the appalling have simply not done enough to challenge publicly the unjust Third, and perhaps most significantly of all, the Bishop the indefensible wait to get to the truth. And the injustice of the denigration of the deceased – that they were somehow at significant doubt over the adequacy of the original inquest. fault for their own deaths. On behalf of the Government – and of Liverpool’s report presents new evidence which casts indeed our country – I am profoundly sorry for this double that victims suffered traumatic asphyxia leading to injustice that has been left uncorrected for so long. Theunconsciousness Coroner - on within the adviceseconds of and pathologists death within - believed a few Mr Speaker, because of what I have described as the second were no actions that could have changed the fate of the injusticebeen through. – the Thisfalse appalling version of death events toll - ofnot so enough many loved people ones in minutes.victims and As hea result limited he the asserted scope thatof the beyond Inquest 3.15pm accordingly. there this country understand what the people of have But by analysing post mortem reports the panel have found narrative about hooliganism on that day was created which that 28 did not have obstruction of blood circulation and 31 lostled manywas compounded in the country by anto attemptaccept that to blame it was the somehow victims. Aa had evidence of heart and lungs continuing to function after fans “were not the cause of the disaster”. The panel has greyquite area.simply Today’s found “noreport evidence” is black in and support white. of The allegations Liverpool of thewas crush. significant” (…) And in determining the panel states whether clearly they that died. “it is highly likely that what happened to those individuals after 3.15pm “exceptionalto arrive late levelsat the ofstadium”; drunkenness, and “no ticketlessness evidence that or they violence stole amongfrom the Liverpool dead and fans”; dying.” ”no evidence that fans had conspired Mr Speaker, the conclusions of this report will be harrowing for many of the families affected. Anyone who has lost a the childappropriate, knows betterthe pain focused never andleaves properly you. But equipped to read response a report yearshad the afterwards potential to that save says more – lives” and I can quote: only “a add swifter, to the morepain. Mr Speaker, I’m sure the whole House will want to thank Bishopin paying of tributeLiverpool to theand incrediblehis panel forstrength all the and work dignity they have done. And I am sure that all sides will join with me

Mr Speaker, I want to be very clear about the view the of the Hillsborough families and the community which government takes about these findings and why after 23 has backed them in their long search for justice. While years this matters so much, not just for the families but for nothingthe families, can at ever last, bring have backaccess those to the who truth. have been lost Liverpool and for our country as a whole. Mr Speaker what with all the documents revealed and nothing held back happenedmeet minimum that day safety – and standards since – was and wrong. yet still It allowedwas wrong the that the responsible authorities knew Hillsborough did not ForthcomingAnd I editioncommend thisof BritishStatement Politicsto the House. Review

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