Football Hooligans

Theory and Evidence

Bibliographic Data

ID4884836
AuthorsG Armstrong (0000-0002-4155-0813, UCL Australia), Rosemary Harris (Department of Anthropology University College, London)
Year1991
Volume39
Issue3
Pages427-458
Publication date1991-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Sociological Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0038-0261 • E-ISSN: 1467-954X
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1111/j.1467-954x.1991.tb00861.x
OpenAlexW2026619740
LanguageEN
Citations received36
References cited3

This paper describes empirical research amongst hooligans. Such research has not always been valued. The significant factor in hooligan behaviour may be asserted to be the generation of violence in the lower working class and its dissemination amongst football fans. It is commonly asserted that hooligans operate in well-organized groups. It is argued here that such assertions need to be based on better evidence. A detailed account is given of the behaviour of a notorious group of fans and its key individuals. This shows that the 'hard core' fans were distinguished from others only by greater dedication to football and their club; they had a potentiality for violence but only of the low level kind that many others shared; they were more often involved simply because they went to more matches; they lacked organization. Nevertheless outsiders were, not unreasonably, sure they were a violent, organized group. This casts doubt on similar beliefs held about other groups unless beliefs are well substantiated. Detailed ethnography is valuable because it helps to sort out the nature of the 'hooligan' problem that requires to be theorized

Club · Criminology · Empirical evidence · Epistemology · Ethnography · Football · Media studies · Political science · Sociology · Law · Psychology · Social Psychology · Sport and Mega-Event Impacts · Sports Analytics and Performance · Sports, Gender, and Society

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