Red Army General

by Tony O'Neill

Manchester United's Red Army was the most notorious hooligan mob British football has ever seen. Thousands strong, this huge tribe of disaffected youths laid siege to town centrees and soccer grounds across the country and became a byword for violent disorder. Tony O'Neill was there from the beginning and became its most prominent face.Barely in his teens when he set out from the largest council estate in Europe to follow the Red Devils, his ferocity in street combat and his force of personality soon made him a leader. Running trips in his infamous War Wagon, he became so renowned that he was invited to a sit-down meeting with the Government to discuss the hooligan problem.After serving a jail term, O'Neill emerged to lead the 'casuals' of the 1980s against an even tougher generation of West Ham's ICF, the Chelsea Headhunters, the Leeds Service Crew and the scally armies of Merseyside. Police intelligence files labelled him a 'prime mover' and he became the target of a huge undercover investigation. Red Army General is the most authoritative account ever written of the wild years when terrace terror reached its peak."BRITAIN'S No.1 FOOTBALL THUG" Daily Mirror"BRITAIN'S WORST SOCCER YOB" The Sun

Genres: Football

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I've done reviews of Charlotte Bronte and Dostoyevsky so now it's Tony O'Neill and his book about football hooliganism.

I am a United fan and probably of an age with Tony though always far too scared (and horrified) to get involved in violence....but like a lot of people kind of fascinated by those who did or do.

I have read a few of these kind of books and Red Army General is a very good one because he shows respect to the fighters of other clubs and admits that United fans took a beating once in a while. He is brilliant at describing the build up, the preparation, anticipation and the actual fighting which is often just a standoff before Police intervene. There is also a sort of honour code in the 'Red Army', not using weapons and showing dignity towards respected rivals. And hearing about what went on in and around matches I went in the 1980's is chilling.

Best of all, Tony O'Neill can actually write well.

[Mark Suffern · Rating 2 out of 5]

The usual hollie ballix,he even uses padding from others about matches he wasn't at because he was locked up.If anyone believes lads like this had a code of honour then they will believe anything.

[Steve Parcell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little difficult to digest to be honest. Previous reviews state that he shows respect to other firms which I am not so sure about. To be honest it comes across as a little arrogant and one sided. He does admit to taking a beating in London a couple of times but it is hidden away amidst the triumph. It held my attention on the train reasonably well and will probably read his other book to see if he has matured as a writer.

[Chris Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit slow to start but gets better...a lot of it could be false as its just one guys story but definately gets better as it gets on and worth a read

[Tom mosedale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dull

Quiet boring, I've read many hooligan books and enjoy reading the grisly details of the match day battles but this seem to leave out all the juicy bits.