Should we encourage the hooligans back to football?

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Let's also bring back razor fights, bear-baiting, cock fighting, public stoning, the ducking stool and crucifiction.

Crucifixion I meant. Crucifiction is not based on fact

[City123]

The atmosphere at our games this season was pretty good

[BLUETIT]

Who is going to pay for their flights ????

[Feedback]

What I think is the most telling bit of your post is the use of the word 'particularly' in the fourth paragraph. In using that word (and others) you are giving away your sympathies, basically condoning the hooligan morons that used to follow this and many other clubs and thereby encouraging the use of violence as a way of improving atmosphere and as a form of entertainment between opposing fans. It is a ridiculous stance to take. You make it sound like there should be signs put up outside our stadiums saying 'hooliganism welcome here'. The football experience nowadays is a million times better than it it was in the seventies and eighties and this in no small part is due to the fact that people can go to games without being in fear of their lives and stadiums are welcoming places for men, women and children alike to watch football in comfort and safety. I dont understand how anyone who was around during those days can seriously advocate a return to them. The atmosphere in our stadium (and most others we visit) is fine, thanks very much.

you suck the joy out of everything

[William Treseder]

you suck the joy out of everything

He’s away for an interview for a job.
Their looking for a warm up man at Thornhill Crematorium

[BLUETIT]

He’s away for an interview for a job.
Their looking for a warm up man at Thornhill Crematorium

Please, somebody !!!!!!!

[Bluebina]

Firstly not my opinion but just putting the question out there!

In general, I am of the opinion that its the hooligans (or at least wannabbee's) that used to create the atmosphere at many stadiums. Indeed, if you analyse the noise at grounds, it tends to generate from the "boys" ends.

Is it a fluke that the banning orders & general discouragement of these individuals have coincided with a distinct lack of atmosphere, especially at newer grounds?

Look at Selhurst Park, Anfield , Celtic Park - grounds that can sound great when in full flow...... the songs are resonating from one end of the ground.

I ask this question not because I particularly miss the violence & fear but it seems to have an effect on the memories of many fans. Just last week, I had lengthy chats to 2 proper, law abiding fans, 1 a derby fan, the other, a Shrewsbury fan. We talked about our memories following our respective Clubs and most of the talk was our scrapes/lucky escapes at dodgy places ie "I remember going to Millwall one year etc"

So, should we welcome the thugs back or is football now how we used to view a rugby experience?

In the early 80's part of the fun of the away game was trying to spot how many of our fans were in the other end and wondering when they were going to let them know, the football was bad back then!

[goats]

The atmosphere at our games this season was pretty good

First season in top flight for half a century though.....

[goats]

In the early 80's part of the fun of the away game was trying to spot how many of our fans were in the other end and wondering when they were going to let them know, the football was bad back then!

No colours back then either, it was not easy telling which mob was which. Also, we had a lot of fans who seemingly only went to away games in the mad old days....it was like we had two different sets of fans.