On the ball cont:
When i first started going football it was always about the football, i loved going to Maine Road and watching city. It was always that for me, the hooligan side was never my central point at the game, most of the time you would be in the wrong place and just get sucked into it. Don't get me wrong i was aware of who was who at city and what their intentions would be if the opportuinity arose for them too cause some trouble. Personally speaking i always just wanted to watch the game, hope that city would win , then off to the local with my mates and just have a few beers. What i noticed more than anything else was that how you were dressed was the cause and effect of most of the issues.
I have always dressed very relaxed, football, indie smart but can also do the middle class look as and when the need requires and have always been aware of the correct labels. When you go to any ground in the country the so called hooligan lads will have this very smart, expensive, casual, and stern look. So when i use to go football my look could fit into that look even though i was not a hooligan. So at times you can be involved in things because of your appearance, and if someone starts and most of your mates get involved what do you do but join in. I have never advocated football violence but i am aware of how easy it is to get yourself sucked into it. Just because it's expected of you because you look a certain way and you know certain people who are affiliated with it. There are a lot of lads in Manchester who dress that way and know people who are really into it, and have probably been involved in the odd skirmish themselves. Having said that they would not class thermselves as hooligans, but as normal working class lads going to football.
I have been interested in fashion, football and music for as long as i can remember, i cannot quite put my finger on why i like nice clobber, you can get some people who totally intellectualise the reason and try and make out it's a self- esteem issue (bollocks). If i want to be boring, it is because my dad was smart and so was my brother, so as a kid growing up the baton is placed in your hands and you run with it. Like i said earlier watching the early black & white films, listening to the stories by the older and well travelled football hooligan grafters, sneaking in to see all the best bands of the time at the Apollo Theatre and being taken to see Manchester City when i was 10, all played a very significant part in my development to appreciate those genres.
I also found that world very interesting and still do, currently there is a lot of books on the market dedicated to that period of my life be it fashion, football and music. Everything has gone retro and it's nice to read about the best trainers of my generation and certain types of clothing i had forgotton all about. All the films that have been out as well which have been quite a giggle to look back on for eg: Football Factory, Cass Pennant and the more recent Away Days. It's so nice too slip back in time to that world and listen to some great sound tracks and just generally reminisce about a period in life that meant something regardless of how it may be perceived by people who don't have a clue.
Every generation has had it's own cult following , in the 50s it was rock & roll and the teddy boys, 60s mods & rockers, 70s glam rock and punk and my generation was the 80s ska and indie and we were called the casuals, smart effiminate and wanting the world to sit up and take notice.