In this enthralling investigation, Micky Smith, a die-hard Hammers fan, teams with bestselling author and former member of the InterCity Firm (ICF), Cass Pennant to recall the turbulent 1970s—a time of skinheads, Doc Martens, and mobs of soccer hooligans. Thrilling, dramatic, and brutally honest, this work will fascinate any soccer fan or social historian.
Two renowned West Ham hooligans recount the skinhead bovver boy, pre-ICF, years at West Ham from 1967 to 1975. Detailed match by match, season by season, a recounting of the early hooligan years in English football; although interesting, lacks any real emotional, psychological or inward looking perspective, but is very honest and straight talking. Worth a read, alone, for context in the 2010's where people lament the behaviour of young people? 5 out of 12.