HOOLIGAN

HOOLIGAN

The day started with military precision,

Battle lines were being drawn up.

Generals discussed the rules of engagement,

Their troops checked the weapons of war.

The combatants started to get restless,

Building up their bravado, in the local hostelries.

Each draught of ale fuelled a heightening passion,

And a pure, raging hatred for the opposing colours.

The songs of battle stirred the protagonist’s blood,

A huge tattooed arm lifted, demanding total silence,

Message, the enemy are here, let battle commence.

Confrontation now, the posturing and the threats,

Cropped haired hooligans now waiting, for the first strike.

Backwards and forwards surge the seething, baying horde.

Fists tightly clenched, the ‘Section 5’ are bristling for a fight.

A sudden eruption of violence, as the bottles flew,

Sporadic bursts of fighting in the Amsterdam city street.

A blade marks someone for life, a tribal scar to show,

And knives, bricks and baseball bats are all being readily used.

Street fighting then becomes all out war as the English fans clash,

Before Dutch riot police break up the warring mob.

Fans disperse with their banners furled, off now to the match,

The football game now takes centre stage.

But, for the ‘Section 5’ and ‘Subway army’ that’s secondary,

As they plan another battle under the flimsy guise of football.

Hooligans are part of English football,

Our tribal culture dictates it.

Firms and crews are just footballs gangs,

Club colours being the rallying flag.

Other countries worldwide are copying the culture,

Even singing the songs, just like their English counterparts.

‘Greenstreets’ was just a film; it’s not like that at all.

The Hooligan, like it or not is here to stay.

Under the surface it’s just simmering and ready to explode.

Amsterdam 2002   Holland V’s England

West Bromwich Albion ‘Section 5’ engaged in a huge brawl

Against Wolverhampton Wanderers ‘Subway army’.

This bitter hatred of these local rivals has been engrained for over a century.

Phil Hall  April 2013