Product Description

'A mob of 1000 skinheads running along a road is a frightening sight. Into the tube gates we rushed. On the tube, there was the usual knees up mother brown, with the whole carriage full of skinheads jumping up and down, the train rocking from side to side. Mile End and all out...want some aggro?' It's the 1970s, a time of skinheads, Doctor Martens, violence and trouble on the terraces. The Mile End Mob rule Upton Park. Long before the days of the ruthless InterCity Firm casuals, they were the first guv'nors of the terraces, striking fear into the other West Ham mobs and fans. Micky Smith, die-hard Hammers fan, was there in the thick of the action, he saw it all as it happened. Here he teams up with bestselling author, ex-ICF face and West Ham authority Cass Pennant to recall these action-packed and turbulent times. Indeed, it was the reputation and respect commanded by the East End Bovver Boys that drove a hardcore of hooligans to create the notorious InterCity Firm and establish their rule over the terraces up and down the country in the 1980s. Here is the story of what came before the ICF. Thrilling, dramatic and brutally honest it will fascinate any football fan or social historian.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #151022 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 303 pages

About the Author
Born in Stepney in the early fifties, Micky Smith grew up a staunch West Ham Fan. He followed his team up and down the country, and even abroad for the 1976 ECWC final. Shortley after he moved to Australia where he has lived ever since. Cass Pennant is a bestselling author of hard man titles, including Terrace Legends, Cass, Rolling with the 657 Crew and Congratulations You Have Just Met the ICF.

Customer Reviews

AT LAST A TRUTFUL BOOK ABOUT THE TERRACE SCENE
I rececied my order for this book from Amazon and read it through cover to cover. As one who grew up in those times I could relate to the book in every way and it made me feel quite homesick. This writer tells it as it was and is not scared to admit to getting a kicking from rival fans unlike some of the books on the subject I have read. It tells how the East end was and the fans of the time, tough uncompromising lads who stood together from the Mile End area and took no backward steps. Many might be shocked with its honest brutality as the book pulls no punches. It is simply a West Ham fans story, as seen by the author who doesn't claim any fame or big man role and openly says so - just one of the lads from the area who followed West Ham. For me this book has got 'movie' written all over it and I would love to see it on the big screen in its entirety.The best on the subject around - honest, violent and sometimes funny, what more could you ask? It reads as though you were hearing the author speak and the rough edges of his writing style only enhance that feeling. For anyone wishing to buy this book dont hesitate, it is well worth the money and the photos show what the old skinhead scene was really about. 5 stars A MUST

DO NOT BUY, TOTAL RUBBISH
One of the worst books I've ever read, all these idiots releasing football hooligan books is going too far, especially when they're not even well written like this one. Buy "Scally" a much more entertaining read I found.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Dont bother, the only one of all the hoolie books I bought and never finished.
Written poorly and boring.
Gave it up when I read, Our next away game was Everton AWAY???
Ever had an away game at home!