A Journey with the world's most extreme fans
Book Review: 1312: Among the Ultras – Gavin H. MacPhee
No prizes for what 1312 denotes as your starter for ten. Ahem!
There probably isn’t a better description forUltra culture (Ultra being only one word for a particular band of supporters) than Montague’s deployment of “a seductive culture of extremes”.
This is a very good book and unlikeULTRA (Tobias Jones) also reviewed for this here fanzine, the focus with Montague’s book goes beyond one country and explores the extreme fan phenomenon globally.
There are chapters covering So America (Los Primos Hinchas) or more accurately Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil), Europe (No Face, No Name) - Italy, Serbia, Greece & Macedonia and Albania and Kosovo with Ukraine, Germany and Sweden representing the continent (Against Modern Football). Admirably, Montague takes a road less travelled in football to take in Egypt and North Africa, the USA, Indonesia with Turkey included from a more traditional football country (the New Old World).
This is an absorbing, informative book and I always think you learn so much of the country in focus from the history and context of its football. They all bleed into each other to offer unique insights.
1312: Among the Ultras: A journey with the world's most extreme fans ...
From the view-point of the English football fan and more accurately the Premier League, some of what is included in this book as accounts of what goes on in those countries is staggering. Some of you will be aware of the episodes Montague covers but there is plenty of new territory covered here.
The book will demand your attention - it isn’t in the least a frothy, holiday kind of tome that you can skim if you want to get the most from it. You’ll need to dedicate yourself to it but I found it worth the investment of concentration.
I haven’t tried the audio-book version - I did withULTRA and couldn’t get away with it so can’t recommend that format.
This is one of the best books you will read about this compelling football fan culture that some British fans attempt to mimic with lets face it with largely risible results. Yes, I’m thinking of Crystal Palace.
Michael Martin, @TFMick1892.bsky.social
Click on the image above if you want to buy the book.
Interview with the author via The Athletic
Interview with the author via Football Heritage (recommended)