Fan Perspectives of Football Hooliganism

Football hooliganism has been prevalent in almost
every country where the game is played. This has
particularly been the case in Britain, where the
phenomenon has produced consequences of varying
degrees of severity. Many academic investigations
have examined the problem by gauging opinions of
hooligans and to a lesser extent, the police. The
perspectives of the non-violent majority of
supporters have been consistently overlooked, yet
they often share the same space, rituals and social
characteristics as hooligans, and also witness
football violence and the processes that instigate
and escalate it. This work therefore involved
ascertaining the views of non-hooligan supporters
who regularly attend matches from eight British
teams. This book examines a plethora of related
literature and the methodological implications of
researching football fandom. Accessing the
previously underrepresented perspectives of key fan
bases, this work also addresses supporter attitudes
towards definitional issues, the severity and causes
of the problem, media representation, and the socio-
legal and socio-political responses to British
football hooliganism.

Autorentext

Joel did a football science degree, masters degrees in match analysis and sports management and a PhD in football fandom. He is the sport development pathway leader at Liverpool Hope University and a member of English football's '92 club'. He has travelled to 110 countries and researches football fandom and peace promotion through sport.

Klappentext

Football hooliganism has been prevalent in almost every country where the game is played. This has particularly been the case in Britain, where the phenomenon has produced consequences of varying degrees of severity. Many academic investigations have examined the problem by gauging opinions of hooligans and to a lesser extent, the police. The perspectives of the non-violent majority of supporters have been consistently overlooked, yet they often share the same space, rituals and social characteristics as hooligans, and also witness football violence and the processes that instigate and escalate it. This work therefore involved ascertaining the views of non-hooligan supporters who regularly attend matches from eight British teams. This book examines a plethora of related literature and the methodological implications of researching football fandom. Accessing the previously underrepresented perspectives of key fan bases, this work also addresses supporter attitudes towards definitional issues, the severity and causes of the problem, media representation, and the socio-legal and socio-political responses to British football hooliganism.