Post by admin on May 14, 2005 2:15:50 GMT 1
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Read
I was very surprised how good this book was. A very accurate, unbiased and even humourous account of the times. I was nodding in agreement to so much of it, as so many people who had never attended football games had an attitude towards football fans while the truth was far different. I am not defending bad behaviour, but there was often another side to it. For example when just acting in self defence (to prevent seroius injury) or using bad language, fans were still labeled hooligans. Yet consider TV out-take shows where celebrities, presenters and politicians use far worse language or agression yet it is considered humourus - similarly behaviour in films such as 4 Weddings & Funeral, Bridget Jones Diary - or rugby players vandalism is seen as comedy. One rule for one.
Only criticisms. Firstly - I felt one of the Tottenham Chants should not have been included, or it should have been made more clear that at the time it was an ignorant harmless joke (although personaly I think there can be no humour over this subject). Secondly - Overplay of innocence. Thirdly not enough about England trips. But big surprise, an excellent book - definetly for anyone to read.
Tales from the shed and other places
This book supposedly gives accounts from the days when hoolagnism at Chelsea was a regular occurance and tells the stories of the men behind it. Except, it is so poorly written and lacking excitement you wonder why anyone would want to be a part of it in the first place. Each incident seems the same as the last and there is nothing to keep you wanting to turn the pages. I purchased the book to gain an insight into what went on back then and maybe find out what drove the people to do it. From this account I can only deduce that it wasn't passion as the book holds none and I cannot see any excitment or at least none that is successfully portrayed in this book. Unfortunately I couldn't recommend this book to anyone, it's just too dull and repetitive.
A must for all followers of football in the eighties.
Great combination of humour and anguish, written extremely well. Really gives an open account of the agro and fun of following your club in the mess of the 70's and 80's. Sure there were punch ups at and after a game, but what this book does is explain the difference between that and the behaviour of some of the more dangerous lads who were bad news at anything they attended. The legal aftermath of the pressure politics is scary reading for anybody involved in any group that doesnt confirm to the 'norm'!
Excellent Read
I was very surprised how good this book was. A very accurate, unbiased and even humourous account of the times. I was nodding in agreement to so much of it, as so many people who had never attended football games had an attitude towards football fans while the truth was far different. I am not defending bad behaviour, but there was often another side to it. For example when just acting in self defence (to prevent seroius injury) or using bad language, fans were still labeled hooligans. Yet consider TV out-take shows where celebrities, presenters and politicians use far worse language or agression yet it is considered humourus - similarly behaviour in films such as 4 Weddings & Funeral, Bridget Jones Diary - or rugby players vandalism is seen as comedy. One rule for one.
Only criticisms. Firstly - I felt one of the Tottenham Chants should not have been included, or it should have been made more clear that at the time it was an ignorant harmless joke (although personaly I think there can be no humour over this subject). Secondly - Overplay of innocence. Thirdly not enough about England trips. But big surprise, an excellent book - definetly for anyone to read.
Tales from the shed and other places
This book supposedly gives accounts from the days when hoolagnism at Chelsea was a regular occurance and tells the stories of the men behind it. Except, it is so poorly written and lacking excitement you wonder why anyone would want to be a part of it in the first place. Each incident seems the same as the last and there is nothing to keep you wanting to turn the pages. I purchased the book to gain an insight into what went on back then and maybe find out what drove the people to do it. From this account I can only deduce that it wasn't passion as the book holds none and I cannot see any excitment or at least none that is successfully portrayed in this book. Unfortunately I couldn't recommend this book to anyone, it's just too dull and repetitive.
A must for all followers of football in the eighties.
Great combination of humour and anguish, written extremely well. Really gives an open account of the agro and fun of following your club in the mess of the 70's and 80's. Sure there were punch ups at and after a game, but what this book does is explain the difference between that and the behaviour of some of the more dangerous lads who were bad news at anything they attended. The legal aftermath of the pressure politics is scary reading for anybody involved in any group that doesnt confirm to the 'norm'!