Product Description

"After The Match, The Game Begins" is the story of how two childhood mates grew up literally either side of the two closest football grounds in the UK and into one of the most feared firms in the country. Growing up in Dundee as football crazy young boys they faced an early choice, Dundee united or Dundee FC. Kenny McCall chose United and John Robb picked the dark blue of Dundee. As they approached their teenage years a new youth phenomenon which had already began to appear on the football terraces of Britain, started to spread like wildfire throughout every town and city in Scotland and into Dundee. The Casual was born. Instead of becoming bitter rivals and sworn enemies they stood side by side in the one and only firm in the city which 'defended' both clubs. This is the true, honest and very unique story of the Dundee Utility thugs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #121935 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 337 pages

About the Author
Kenny McCall was born in Dundee in 1971, a devoted husband and father of two beautiful children. An Engineer since he left school he is a passionate follower of Dundee United. John Robb also was born in Dundee in 1972, a devoted husband who has trained and worked as a printer since he left school. He is a passionate follower of the other club in the city, Dundee FC. Both risked all for their other love, being a part of the Utility.

Customer Reviews

2 Biographies for the price of one. What a deal!
Now, I don't really read biographies and can't really have considered myself a casual so lets be clear on this. I bought the book because I know the authors. (Even went to the 91 Scottish Cup Final with Kenny and his dad and... probably best I don't mention what John and I got up to when we were nippers.)
But here's the thing. I'm really glad I read it.
Starting with Kenny's tale, it's not just full out football violence but a well rounded account of time and scene. It's about fighting at football, yes. But it's also about growing up, family values, fashion, relationships the lot. And it doesn't shirk from describing the bad times as well as the good. It's the good times that make the story though. It just happens that Kenny's idea of a good time was chasing after rival gangs with the purpose of crashing a bottle over someone's head. Still it's a tale that most readers will find some empathy with.
John's tale, it would seem, is one more of an out-and-out thug. A little more sinister a good bit more focused on the job. Even John's story though, is one of the camaraderie between mates. John's also not shy of describing the times when things went bad and the bond between those involved.
This book could easily have read like a bandwagonesque `my dad's bigger than your dad' glory fest but it doesn't. Instead it's a very plausible account of time and place and two lads' involvement in some very bizarre incidents, all set against the background of the 80s & 90s Casuals scene.. A compelling read and one that I can definitely recommend.

Best book I've read in a while.......
If you're looking for a standard "hoolie" book I suggest you look elsewhere. After the match.......is so much more.
This book tells the true story of the Dundee Utility, a truly unique football firm, who draw their members from both Dundee football clubs.
Well-written and very easy to either dip in and out of or sit down for a long reading session, I found the book both informative and entertaining.
From the very beginnings of the casual movement in Scotland in the early 80s right up to the present day, the book tells all, from the changing fashions,the rival firms and the continuing efforts to stay one step ahead of the police. The accounts are far from the usual "we did them" boasts and the stories of run-ins with rival firms are at times both frightening and comic in their honesty.
If you are even slightly interested in this genre I would urge you to read "when the match...." for yourself, you will not be disappointed.

This is not "another" hooligan book
This is not another ordinary hooligan book, this one stands out from the rest with a well written, sometimes amusing, no holds barred tales of the casual culture from schoolboy into grown men fighting on a saturday at the football in the guise of defending their town "Dundee" from any invaders and on other occasions invading other towns with the sole purpose of taking on other casuals.
Also written about is the expensive designer clothes they wear and how the fasions changed through the years and also their musical tastes. I'd urge anyone who likes hoolie books or wants to read about the unique friendship between the two Dundee sides "casuals" and how they formed one firm between them, the Dundee Utility to buy this book. You won't be dissappointed