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hypocrisy of the political classes is highlighted in relation to football-connected violence, with modern warfare brought into the equation. London is shown in detail, the allegiance to a football club as an extension of community, in many cases involving populations that have been displaced. Whether it is a street, pub, greasy spoon, Indian restaurant, or launderette, the reader will know which part of London they are seeing.
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Bright. Bill
Farrell is a calmer voice, but while his more measured reflections present an alternative approach to that of the younger men, he shares their frustrations and feelings of powerlessness. Vignettes from a range of minor characters are also included, among them the story of Vince Matthews, a former hooligan who has broken out of the circle of violence to travel the world.
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is rich in cultural references, from popular music to the songs and chants of the terraces. Tommy remembers the glory days of the Shed at
Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea North Stand and Gate 13, along with his own assessments of opposing players and supporters. The role of a sensationalist media and the
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and was decorated for his bravery. After the war, he married a concentration camp survivor and is trying to cope with her recent death. He is seen as a hero by subsequent generations, among them Tommy and various older members of the
Chelsea firm, hardcore hooligans such as Dave Harris and Billy
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was heralded as a 'state of the nation' novel by some reviewers, while others criticised its aversion to political correctness. Football fans and the wider public made it a best-seller. It has been translated into a number of languages and was followed by
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as Bill
Farrell. The controversy of the book's initial release was repeated, as the subject matter and the presence of a number of known Chelsea hooligans among the extras caused great excitement in the media.
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Equally as important to the novel's structure is the presence of pensioner Bill
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The principal character/narrator is Tommy
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and the adrenaline highs involved. Major battles take place with
Chelsea's traditional enemies, among them
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home and away, fighting their rivals on the streets of
England's cities.
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556:"The Football Factory"
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390:football hooliganism
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653:White Trash
629:Headhunters
459:, starring
442:Headhunters
381:who follow
368:debut novel
353:Headhunters
348:Followed by
263:Headhunters
694:Categories
645:Human Punk
607:Novels by
472:References
461:Danny Dyer
406:patriotism
326:Media type
202:March 2022
186:improve it
140:March 2022
110:newspapers
39:improve it
669:Skinheads
609:John King
457:Nick Love
410:prejudice
394:Tottenham
379:Londoners
372:John King
318:Published
297:Publisher
275:John King
190:verifying
45:talk page
398:Millwall
342:35167891
321:May 1997
289:Language
565:15 July
539:15 July
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414:poverty
383:Chelsea
309:Vintage
292:English
281:Country
184:Please
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