Football is a global phenomenon, a sport that transcends boundaries, languages, and cultures.
For millions of fans, it’s a way of life, a passion that courses through their veins, and a legacy passed down through generations.
But beneath the polished veneer of the modern game lies a darker, grittier past—a time when football was not just about skill on the pitch but also about battles fought on the terraces, in the streets, and in the hearts of working-class communities.
This book is about that past, specifically through the lens of Arsenal Football Club’s most notorious followers: the hooligans of The Gooners and The Herd.
Arsenal Football Club, one of the most storied and successful teams in English football, has always inspired fierce loyalty among its supporters.
For many, Arsenal represents more than just a football team—it’s a symbol of pride, identity, and a sense of belonging.
The club's history is adorned with triumphs and trophies, legendary players, and iconic moments.
But parallel to this celebrated legacy is another history, one that is less glamorous but no less significant: the story of Arsenal’s hooligan culture.
The hooligan firms of Arsenal—most notably The Herd and The Gooners—were born out of the turbulent socio-political landscape of 1970s and 1980s Britain.
Economic decline, high unemployment, and urban decay created a sense of disillusionment among the youth, particularly in working-class areas like Islington, where Arsenal has its roots.
The football terraces became an escape, a place where the frustrations of everyday life could be vented through song, chants, and, at times, fists.
These firms were not just random collections of violent men; they were organized, fiercely loyal, and operated under a strict code of conduct.
The Herd, in particular, became one of the most feared and respected firms in England, known for their relentless support of Arsenal and their willingness to defend the club’s honor at any cost.
From clashes with rival firms like Tottenham’s Yid Army and West Ham’s I.C.F. to infamous European battles, The Herd’s exploits were the stuff of legend, whispered about in pubs and documented in tabloids with a mix of fear and fascination.
Among these hooligans, one figure stood out: Dainton Connell, known to his friends and enemies alike as “The Bear.” Connell was more than just a prominent member of The Herd; he was its heart and soul.
Towering, charismatic, and fearless, Connell embodied the ethos of The Herd.
He was a paradox—a man capable of both great kindness and brutal violence, a defender of his friends and a terror to his rivals.
Connell’s story is emblematic of the complex nature of hooligan culture, where the lines between camaraderie, crime, and community loyalty often blurred.
The introduction of this book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the social, economic, and cultural factors that gave rise to football hooliganism in England and, more specifically, within Arsenal’s fanbase.
It will explore how football, traditionally seen as a working-class sport, became intertwined with violence, tribalism, and identity.
We will delve into the psyche of the hooligans themselves—what drove them to fight, to risk arrest and injury, and to dedicate their lives to a football club in ways that went far beyond merely supporting the team.
The aim is not to glorify or romanticize the hooligan lifestyle but to understand it: to peel back the layers of myth and media sensationalism to reveal the human stories behind the headlines.
0:00 - Introduction
0:10 - The Underbelly Of Football Culture
4:52 - Birth Of The Firms - The Gooners And The Herd
10:52 - The Rise Of The Herd
13:34 - Dainton Connell - The Bear Of Highbury
19:07 - Notorious Clashes And Infamous Moments
26:22 - The Culture And Code Of The Terraces
32:23 - The Media And Police Crackdown
39:45 - The Decline Of The Herd
45:35 - Modern Day Arsenal Fans - Echoes Of The Past
51:38 - The Legacy Of Arsenal Hooliganism
56:58 - From The Terraces To The Trophies - The Evolution Of Arsenals Fanbase
01:01:36 - Controversies And Criticisms
01:03:28 - Arsenal Fan TV personality Liam Goodenough
01:06:37 - Bradley Prior - attacked two police officers after an Arsenal game
01:08:48 - Arsenal fans arrested in Uganda
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