Football, violence and working class culture
This thesis is based on fieldwork, carried out over a five year period, amongst a group of young, male, football fans. The question of what football means to its loyal adherents is asked and answers such as a religion, a quasi religion, or a magical ceremony are analysed and discussed. The language of the fans in terms of songs, chants, and graffiti, as well as emblems, scarves and their way of dress is e camined as a development of this analysis, and finally the position of football as a central interest in the lives of the fans is discussed. Throughout ethnographic examples and case studies from the group under study are dispersed in the relevant sections, linking the twin themes of violence and football, and, in the case of this particular group, putting the emphasis firmly on football. The thesis also looks at the history of violence at football grounds and at other places over the years where young males from working class backgrounds have been involved. Issues of class and culture, especially the sub-culture of the young and the sub-culture of violence are also examined with special reference to young males and their occupation of the football terraces. Statistics on arrests and ejections at football matches are analysed and correlated with research already carried out on football related offences, convictions and punishments. Particular attention is paid to the role of the group as an intervening variable on the football terraces between the individual and the crowd on the football terraces.
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