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Tony Bellew hosts a new podcast charting the history of hooliganism in England and the former boxer says he has been surprised by how widespread the chaos was at its worst
Tony Bellew was surprised by the scale of upheaval during hooliganism's darkest days.
Tony Bellew was surprised by the scale of upheaval during hooliganism's darkest days
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There is a moment in Tony Bellew’s new podcast series charting the history of hooliganism where one former participant explains why technique is vital when landing an effective headbutt.
“If you’re gonna drop the nut on somebody, you’ve gotta do it right,” the hooligan says. “If you get it wrong, you could come off worse.”
That it was a woman left former boxer Bellew blown away. As he put the six-part BBC show together, the Evertonian was struck by how so many of those involved evaded stereotypes. Doctors and lawyers during the week became weekend warriors, feeling a need to belong.
But rather than glorify the thrill of a ruck, Bellew strikes a balanced tone by also speaking to the victims of the English Disease - moments, he says, “that were a bit close to the bone” - and undercover police officers.
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“I was quite shocked and taken aback by how big it actually was and how many took part,” Bellew says.
“You’d think it was a couple of dozen fellas but there were hundreds, thousands of them involved. It was nuts to hear the stories and recount peoples memories. It was overwhelming to be honest, added to that the innocent people that got hurt as well. Absolutely insane.
“It was people looking for a brotherhood, a community coming together. There were solicitors, doctors and nurses. I don’t know what was going through their mind. It was crazy to hear the stories.
“These fellas were going the match and doing normal jobs. I don’t know how they were functioning. It showed how far we’ve come. It’s just not like that any more.”
Growing up he remembered hearing “strange, racist things” when his brother started taking him to Goodison Park and it was normal to see fights break out - even though he was never a direct witness to organised chaos.
Even going to Wembley for the Euro 2020 final that was spoiled by ticketless fans smashing their way into the stadium, Bellew said he and his wife were “oblivious” to the nightmare scenes outside.
Tony Bellew hosts the new BBC series detailing the surge and fall of hooliganism in England.
Tony Bellew hosts the new BBC series detailing the surge and fall of hooliganism in England.
But he puts the biggest change since hooliganism’s peak down to one simple reason - technology.
“The big thing most people miss is we’re constantly monitored by CCTV and people just can’t get away with it,” he adds. “And you’ll be punished severely for it. You can’t hide from it.
“Transportation links back in the day were key, groups called after train lines - it’s impossible for that to happen today. You’ll be arrested.
“And if you look at the weapons that were used and the things that were done, you’ld have lads looking at life sentences. The world is a different place now.”
While going to the match is so much more safer now, Bellew can also lament how traditional fanbases across the land are being priced out of the modern game.
“It’s difficult and times are hard,” he adds. “A family going to a match is crazy expensive. People make it work one way or another but this is where football is now.
Do I think it’s sustainable forever? Absolutely not, it will come down to earth at some stage. But for now life in general, the price of everything, is astronomical.
“People are struggling but you have to understand that football for some people is life and they prioritise it as the most important thing in their lives. They will always find a way and it’ll always remain the most popular sport in the world.
“For now we have to navigate a way to find how these ticket prices can be sorted and be more accessible to people who don’t have much money.”
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