A thrilling look at how hooliganism continues to blight the beautiful game

Explore the history of football violence on the UK's rail network.

They have names like Barmy Bernie, Daft Donald, and Steamin' Sammy. They like lager (in huge quantities), the Queen, football clubs (especially Manchester United), and themselves. Their dislike encompasses the rest of the known universe, and England's soccer thugs express it in ways that range from mere vandalism to riots that terrorize entire cities. Now Bill Buford, editor of the prestigious journal Granta, enters this alternate society and records both its savageries and its sinister allure with the social imagination of a George Orwell and the raw personal engagement of a Hunter Thompson.

This book traces the history of the British Transport Police, the National Police Force responsible for policing the railways of England, Scotland and Wales. The roots of the Force go back almost 200 years, starting with the development of the railways during the Nineteenth Century. Hundreds of railway companies were founded and although mergers and amalgamations took place, by the end of the century, well over 100 railway companies were operating, most of which employed railway policemen. The first railway policemen were recruited to work on the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1826. Other railway companies quickly followed and by the 1850s, railway policemen with their smart uniforms and top hats were a common sight on Britain’s railways. During the Twentieth Century, railway companies continued to merge before being nationalized in 1948. The following year, the British Transport Commission (BTC) was created to oversee not only the newly nationalized railway network, but also the nation’s docks, shipping, inland waterways, road transport, road haulage and other companies. Also in 1949, the British Transport Commission Police (BTC Police) was created to take over the policing of these newly nationalized institutions. All the former railway, dock and canal police forces were then absorbed into the new BTC Police Force. The BTC was abolished in 1962, having incurred serious financial losses. The BTC Police was renamed the British Transport Police in 1963 and has continued to operate ever since. It no longer polices the docks, harbors and canals for reasons outlined in this book.

Hooligan-turned-acclaimed author Dougie Brimson is the UK's most respected authority on soccer hooligan-ism. Now, in a book written specifically for an American audience, he tells the astonishing story of the rampant hooliganism among European soccer fans and how it could spread to the United States. Written in the raw, in-your-face style that has won considerable acclaim in Europe--the Daily Mail (London) said Brimson had written probably the best book ever on soccer violence--March of the Hooligans is a powerfully intimate look at what hooliganism has become and where it is headed.

'The real history of soccer violence.' LOADED 'A comprehensive look at some of Britain's most notorious hooligan factions.' LADS MAG From the authors of the acclaimed "HOOLIGANS: The A-L" comes the final part of the only comprehensive guide ever written to the darker side of modern football history. Here are the stories of every soccer hooligan gang, from the Cool Cats of Manchester City to the Subway Army of Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Nomad Society of York City. Authors Andy Nicholls and Nick Lowles interviewed scores of current and former hooligans to compile a definitive encyclopedia of the firms. Each club has an entry listing the names of its gangs, how they formed, their worst fights, their bitterest rivals and police operations against them. Read the histories of the Naughty Forty, the Drunk and Disorderly Firm, the Affray Team, the 6.57 Crew, the Fine Young Casuals, the Inside Crew, the Goon Squad and many more. "HOOLIGANS 2" is the ultimate guide to a fascinating but much misunderstood subject.