Author:Martin Knight,Martin King
Hoolifan is the story of one man, Martin King, and his experiences spanning three decades with the country's foremost soccer gang. Chelsea have always been at the cutting edge of football violence, and King himself was at the heart of the evolving Chelsea mob for some 30 years. From his first visit to a football ground in the early 1960s, he charts his development from a rattle-waving child through to a fully fledged member of the notorious Chelsea Shed in the 1970s and finally to his exploits as a key player in the most feared football gang of the 1980s and 1990s - the so-called Chelsea Headhunters.
King describes the leading characters of the various eras, not just from Chelsea but from across the country. He also records every clash, ambush and act of revenge in vivid detail, as well as the camaraderie and style of this most infamous soccer gang.
This is not just another book on the well-trodden subject of football hooliganism, as, unlike so many authors, Martin King makes no attempt to distance himself from the violence and leaves readers to draw their own conclusions.
At times provocative, often humorous and always honest, Hoolifan places the phenomenon of football hooliganism in its true social context.
An acutely intelligent, even-handed analysis of the characters, history and all-round horrible wonders of boxing's brutality and beauty. Solid, straight-talking and as rock’n’roll as sports writing gets
—— The ScotsmanPowerfully taut account of Benn v McClellan brawl captures boxing’s farce and nobility
—— ObserverThe boxing book to end all boxing books... compellingly unputdownable
—— GuardianTold in clear, spare prose, Miller's warm celebration of Ali will have readers cheering for the man who calls himself "The Greatest of All Times" - and for his Boswell too
—— Publishers WeeklyMiller's memoir is every fan's ultimate dream-come-true. This is a tender, terrific one-of-a-kind book - a must-read
—— Ron Shelton director and writer (Bull Durham, White Men Cant's Jump)A masterpiece
—— Scotland on SundayYou would class Paul in the top bracket. I always likened him to Colin Bell - he had that great ability to get up and down the park.
—— Tony BookIt was like having one of your mates playing for City. He would've captained England. No question. He was - and remains - one of us
—— Noel GallagherPaul Lake was the most gifted in the group of young players who brightened Manchester City up for fans in the 1980s who were pining for the glory days to return...his is an inspirational human story
—— David Conn , The GuardianHis memoir - I'm Not Really Here - spares nothing in the raw details of what Lake endured. A football read even more harrowing than an England player's World Cup diary
—— SportEnke had often talked to his friend Reng, a journalist-cum-novelist, about writing a book together. Now Reng has done it alone, beautifully...this is the mature work of a writer who has gone far beyond sensationalism. It allows you to turn back and read football differently
—— New StatesmanIt should be on every British football fan's reading list
—— Ben East , MetroA masterpiece… I have read few other books, fiction or non-fiction that is so startlingly sensitive, honest and sincere
—— Bundesligafanatic.comIt’s pitched perfectly – intensely moving without becoming overly emotional or morbid
—— Sharon Wheeler , Times Higher EducationThis seductive book will engage those who don’t know a googly from a doosra and enlighten those who do
—— Independent
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