Hooligans 2: The M-Z of Britain's Football Hooligan Gangs by Andy Nicholls & Nick Lowles

Author:Andy Nicholls & Nick Lowles [Nicholls, Andy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781908479068
Publisher: Milo Books Ltd
Published: 2011-12-26T23:00:00+00:00

Sixty-two people were arrested, 56 from Portsmouth, and dozens were hurt, including many policemen. Hundreds of Pompey bootboys had arrived unsupervised by train as much as three hours before the game and were able to wander freely around town, drinking heavily. Others, who arrived by coach, were dropped outside a stand for home supporters and there were instantly clashes. The Portsmouth hooligans fought amongst themselves and attacked police and bystanders, overturning cars and smashing windows in the streets leading to Elm Park. A boy was hit by a brick thrown through his house window and shoppers fled in terror, clutching their frightened children, as hordes of screaming fans charged through the streets, leaving a trail of shattered glass, splintered fences and bloodstains.

There was universal outrage at the scenes. “The behaviour was diabolical and disgusting and the club is determined to stamp it out one way or another,” said Portsmouth FC commercial manager Bill Davis. To assist police with their inquiries, he handed over 600 passport photographs of members of the Portsmouth Travel Club. “If those responsible for the attack on Mr Cross belong to the Travel Club they will be in the book. We had a lot of new members for a recent away game and it is likely that the attackers were amongst those who joined.”

The Post’s editorial noted, “Whatever the causes the result was a scene in which a large number of people behaved like animals. The reputation of Reading, whose own supporters are on the whole good tempered and not given to violence, was besmirched ... How to stop this appalling behaviour on football grounds has so far baffled all the minds that have been applied to the question. The animals who go to fight, not watch, may in the long run supply the answer – by killing professional football altogether.”

Five days after the match, the paper reproduced a picture of the stand where Mr Cross was attacked. “Are the thugs in this picture?” readers were asked. “Help solve this mystery.” Police subsequently made three arrests. Mr Cross’s wife was understandably distraught as she sat by her husband in his hospital bed. She told reporters, “The first thing he said to me was, ‘Are the children all right?’ He is that sort of man. It just seems so ridiculous that someone could go along to a football match and end up like this. I cannot understand the brutality of these people who go along just to spoil a football match.”

Local residents and traders were furious at what they saw as poor policing. “There were not enough police,” said one. “But what could they do? There were at least 200 of these hooligans.” Another woman, whose window was smashed, said, “It is terrible. People in their right senses don’t do things like this.” Harry Gale, whose front window was smashed with a milk bottle, added angrily, “They should fetch the troops out with batons and tear them apart.”

Residents of Wantage Road, who had often borne the brunt of trouble at the football ground, began a petition demanding action.

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