Football, Fashion & Fighting

[CammyF 6,885]

Admittedly I’ve stolen the title for this article for Phil Thornton’s book (subline – The Tale Of A Terrace Cult) which highlights, details and explains the undeniable link between the three topics. You can also add politics to the title, but this gives the subject an even more controversial edge. This being Gersnet and with our readers being of a more mature and understanding nature and given the club we love, politics can’t be omitted from any article that links Rangers to fashion and fighting.

 

It is understandable that many football fans chose to ignore the violence that once surrounded the beautiful game. However, if you are of a certain age, you’ll remember The Gorgie Skins, The Derry End (Ibrox Agro) the Aberdeen, Hibs, Rangers casuals and if your unlucky enough, you’ll never forget the football specials that were used to transport you to any given away ground. As well as the violence, the political leanings that tainted and tarnished some of this violence, the cutting edge of fashion wasn’t far away from the violence. The trend setters of football violence were also the trend setters for terrace culture and fashion as well.

 

The first real group of hardened football hooligans that I can remember were the Gorgie Skins who followed Hearts all over the country. They were housed in the Gorgie End Shed at Tynecastle and were a battled hardened group who embraced Hearts as well as the Skinhead movement. These guys would look the part in their Harrington Jackets, Doc Martin boots, Fred Perry and Ben Sherman shirts and the skinheads signature braces. Some would be even more fearsome looking in their Crombie Ã?¾ length coats. There was no doubting their loyalty to Hearts, to SKA music and to showing that they were frightened or intimidated by following Hearts around Scotland. They were a notorious gang and not to be messed with. I remember going to Tynecastle to watch a Aberdeen v Dundee Scottish Cup semi-final and the Gorgie Skins made a special reappearance that day and gave the Aberdeen Casuals a warm welcome and a day that they’ll never forget.

 

At this time, yours truly was a young punk who could be seen at Ibrox in his Doc Martins, Biker Jacket and [insert any punk groups name here] t-shirt. This was a look that was never fully appreciated at Ibrox, as Punks had a reputation of being ‘left-wing’, anti-establishment and anti-monarchy. I’ll never forget an older Bear witnessing my attire and telling me that my sort weren’t welcome at Ibrox. I don’t know what he could have meant by this comment! No doubt, the vast majority of Rangers fans hadn’t heard of ‘Oi’ at this time, an offshoot of punk that tended to be more right wing leaning and was a conglomerate of skinheads and punks. This movement throw out some wonderful bands like Blitz, Angelic Upstarts and The Cockney Rejects who went on to become a group that was attached to the West Ham ICF. NB - For footage of the above bands, see end of this article.

 

The explosion of casuals hit Scotland a few years after England where football fans, especially those who followed Liverpool in Europe and found a new terrace culture and fashion. Gone were the long hair, sideburns, denim jackets, flares etc and in came ‘sportswear’. Lacoste, Sergio Techinni, Pringle, at el, the ‘new romantic’ type hair styles, trainers etc. This looked rubbed of on the ‘firms’ and they started to dress accordingly and to stand out from the crowd. The aim of the football casual wasn’t just to fight, but it was to look the part as well. They also dressed smartly to evade the Police and travelled to games in the luxury of British Rail Inter City Services (hence the famous ICF tag) rather than the cramped, urine stained, violent and at some points, life threatening! Football specials.

 

My first encounter with casuals came at Hampden when Scotland entertained England. The Scotland fans gave the English the usual reception, but the game was notable for the racial abuse handed out by the Scottish fans to the coloured England players, and John Barnes in particular. Then there were the running battles between Scotland fans and the England casuals that spilled from the terraces to the city centre and even onto the trains out of Glasgow that evening. This is detailed in Cass Pennents brilliant ‘Congratulations : You’ve Met The ICF Book’.

 

The worst examples of casual related violence I have witnessed was at Easter Road and Parkhead. Hibs are notorious for their firm and they have had many a battle was Rangers and Aberdeen (in particular) over the years. I can’t remember the exact year of this clash, but I’m sure it was an evening game, as as the Rangers buses inched towards Princess Street, it was dark and raining outside. Anyway, enough of the weather forecast – as the buses approached Princess Street, they were met by the Hibs Casuals who charged. The Rangers casuals were waiting between the buses and ambushed their Hibs counterparts. I remember that the Rangers ICF fired flares into the onrushing crowd and one long street battled ensued. Hibs must have underestimated the ‘normal’ Rangers fans reaction to the casuals. The ‘normal’ fans piled of the buses and joined in the melee. I have never seen this recounted in any of the casual based books that I have read.

 

When Parkhead was being redeveloped, Rangers visited and were given the tiny end corner of a stand. On being led to the ground, the Rangers support were being attacked by Celtc fans who were being aided and abetted by their ‘casuals’. The Celtc casual has always been an oxymoron within the casual movement. They have been ridiculed in print (not just by Scottish firms, the Cardiff City Soul Crew also ridicule them) and they have been referred to as the I run Away and ‘catalogue casuals’. They have by all reports gotten a crew together recently and have had a few high-profile run-ins with the new Rangers ICF. Anyway, back to the matter in-hand. Just as this was about to get out of hand, the Rangers casuals came charging down Duke Street and helped the Rangers fans gain the upper hand.

 

The Rangers casuals, or ICF as they preferred to be known as (although they are conceived as Rangers HMS – Her Majesties Service) are not spoken about on Rangers forums to any degree. Whilst this is somewhat understandable, to refuse to acknowledge their existence, or to somehow convince ourselves that they don’t or never have existed, is doing them a disservice. Anyone who has read the Rangers ICF book will get an understanding for the loyalty of these fans (same can be said of any casual of any club). They have had some major successes in their time, all highlighted and corroborated in their book. Lets not forget that proceeding the Rangers ICF, we did have a reputation of violence that was feared all over Scotland and in England. Just ask the residents of Chesterfield, Aston Villa (well Birmingham really) and I believe we are still the only support to have taken the Stretford End at Old Trafford.

Edited November 19, 2008 by CammyF

[CammyF 6,885]

CONTINUED :

 

With the emergence of the rave scene, and the ecstasy generation, the football casual appeared to have died out with many of those who clashed around football grounds, were happily dancing the night away together in a field or warehouse across the UK. There was no other music / fashion culture that brought these warring factions together. Historically, fashions and musical genres like Mods, rockers, punks, skinheads etc had all contributed to football related violence. Rhythmic beats and a small MDMA pill had turned this around and the world appeared to be as one

 

People wrongly label the casual movement the English disease, but this is far from the truth. During France 98, Scotland had one of the biggest firms at the games and Rangers were well represented. However, anyone who’s been to a major derby game in England has likely witnessed violence on a level far above anything in Scotland (Old Firm riot at Hampden being the exception). I was once taken to a Sheffield derby and the entire town was a battlefield from the Friday evening until the Sunday evening with Wednesday and United fans battling all over the place. However, this was a picnic compared to the time I was taken to a West Ham v Chelsea game at Upton Park. I’ve never witnessed so many police but unlike the my Sheffield experience, the violence was kept to in and around the stadium.

 

The worst and most sustained violence I have encountered was following junior cup ties, especially in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Many of the Scottish junior sides come from industrialised villages and with the backdrop of the winter of discontent, the miners strike and the poll tax, there was always an undercurrent at the these games that would spill over into violence more often the not.

 

 

Following Rangers always had a political edge especially in the early 80’s when the support of the Loyalists in Ulster was at its height. Songs regaling the UDA were common place as were ditties regarding the Pope and IRA. As an impressionable youngster, it was hard not to get caught up in the rhetoric of this and that is my excuse for witnessing some ‘political violence’ linked to being a Rangers fan. The Young Socialist had invited Gerry Adams and his cohorts to a meeting and public speaking forum at, off all places, Govan Town Hall. A counter demonstration was planned and this counter demonstration was advertised by handing flyers out at Ibrox. I went along with the sole intention of protesting against these terrorists being allowed to talk openly about their murderous plans, but the whole thing degenerated into a small riot! The counterdemonstration outnumbered the supporters and when the guest arrived, closely shadowed by the Young Socialist, all hell broke lose. They were chased from the Town Hall and it took the place an age to restore order.

 

It would be naive in the extreme to believe that football casuals have disappeared from football. They are still active and are still following football clubs, Rangers included. One question that has always bothered me and I still haven’t found an answer to. Why, given Rangers fans allegiance to Chelsea are our casuals named after the West Ham firm! There are plenty of casual related reading now available and like all reading material, of varying quality. Anything written by Cas Pennant is well worth a read especially ‘Top Boys’ and his ICF book. The Jon King series of books (part fiction part fact) Football Factory, Headhunters, England Away, Human Punk (my favourite) & White Trash are also highly recommended. The Rangers ICF book is also worth a read as it details many Rangers games that you’ve been at and probably remember well. There are some inaccuracies in the book, but all in all, it’s a decent read. Some of the early fanzines are also brilliant reading : Man U, Chelsea, Hibs, Rangers (follow follow, No1, The Blues Brothers et al), WSC, etc if you can get your hands on them.

 

 

It is significant now to look around most stadiums in Britain today and you’ll see ‘normal’ fans dressed like the casuals. Casual related brands have not hit the high street and labels such as Paul & Shark, Stone Island, One True Saxon etc are now the norm rather than the exception. So this is the one true example of how football, fashion and fighting has spilled from the edges and peripheries of football into the mainstream.

 

 

DISCLAIMER – I have never been a member of a ‘casual group’ and I will never condone violence at football, or anywhere else for that matter.

 

Cockney Rejects Oi, Oi, Oi

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dulvTWrFhY]YouTube - Cockney Rejects / Oi Oi Oi [Rebellion '07][/ame]

 

Cockney Rejects - We Are The Firm (dedicated to the ICF)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-ZMvk4XyZM&feature=related]YouTube - Cockney Rejects - We are The Firm[/ame]

 

Cockney Rejects - Bubbles (Come on you Irons)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1bT0JcRWNE&feature=related]YouTube - Cockney Rejects - I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles[/ame]

 

Blitz - New Age

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyS4Wduyux8]YouTube - Blitz-New Age[/ame]

 

Blitz - Someones Gonna Die Tonight

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgMWyQtucyc&feature=related]YouTube - Blitz - Someone's gonna die[/ame]

 

Angelic Upstarts - Last Night Another Soldier

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMRV-DA58rw&feature=related]YouTube - Angelic upstarts -- Last night another soldier[/ame]

 

Angelic Upstarts - Soldier (2nd song on the clip - well worth a listen you might now the song)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ULsi0xG19w&feature=related]YouTube - Angelic Upstarts- Shotgun Solution & Soldier[/ame]

 

Cammy F -

Edited November 19, 2008 by CammyF

[carldvelle 0]

The first hooligan attire I remember was the scarf tied round the wrist.Sure sign of a hooligan,I remember localised gang fights during the game ,and obligatory pitch invasion.The fans would begin chanting,oh lets invade the park,oh lets invade the park, the city of glasgow police would then scurry around in case they carried out their threat.

[bmck 117]

an immense read cammy. so interesting. so long as casuals just fight with each other i think they're a great idea. people who end up as casuals are just caught in the wrong age i think - a wee bit ago they'd have been heroes.

[CammyF 6,885]

an immense read cammy. so interesting. so long as casuals just fight with each other i think they're a great idea. people who end up as casuals are just caught in the wrong age i think - a wee bit ago they'd have been heroes.

 

 

Agreed, I think most of us growing up became embroiled in what can be best described as ââ?¬Ë?gang-cultureââ?¬â?¢. This would normally be you and a group of friends that would hang around together, and inevitably get into trouble together. Again, probably, this was at some point entail a fight with a rival gang be it defending your towns honour, or defending your own little bit of ââ?¬Ë?turfââ?¬â?¢. This has gone on for centuries and the football casuals are no different.

 

Cammy F

[Guest Briton]

The first hooligan attire was probably a flat cap as footie related violence goes right back to the early days of the game. I remember reading an article by Jackie Charlton on the subject many years ago.

[Frankie 8,182]

Superb bit of writing mate... Will stick it on the main site next week.

 

We have a queue of articles now which is great stuff!

[Gribz 743]

Brilliant read and so Intriguing.

 

Didnt realise there was a Rangers ICF book out and il need to get my hands on this.

 

I used to go to West Ham home and away in the last 80s / early 90s just when it was dying out, but I wish i was a bit older then to take in some of the stuff I saw. I remember a lot of riots in and around stadiums up and down England. Leicester away was definatly the worst ive seen with petrol bombs being thrown by fans. Then after the game 100s upon 100s of fans being separated by a line of police barriers.

 

As bmck says, if casuals remain casuals and stick to fighting other firms and not innocent fans (like our aberdeen friends, although im sure they are by far not the only ones) then its all ok.

 

As Cammy mentions, Cass Pennants books are well worth a read.

[CammyF 6,885]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rangers-I-C-F-Davey-Carrick/dp/0954854284

 

Not the greatest book, but certainly worth a read - a brilliant introduction in the book by Irvine Welsh. Also, unlike most other casual books I've read, it gives you details of fights that they lost and also has sections written by members of other firms detailing their encounters with and against the Rangers ICF.

 

I would have loaned you my copy Gribz, but gave it to someone and haven't gotten it back as yet!

 

Cammy F

[Bluedell 5,354]

I'm currently reading Soul Crew about the Cardiff casuals. Good read. I'd also agree that the Jon King books are great.

 

I've only heard bad reports about the Rangers book, so doubt I will bother with it.

 

Got to say that I've seen very little presence of the Rangers casuals during the years. I went to most games home and away during the 90s and the only time I can recall seeing them was when we play in Turin against Juve when they were fighting some of our own support.

 

Angelic Upstarts - Last Night another soldier - Wow. Brings back memories. I haven't heard that in over 25 years. I'm sure I've got the single in the house somewhere.