The Hooligan Problem. State responses to football-related violence

Abstract

This thesis is an analysis of state responses to football hooliganism in the period 1968-1975. The locus of this study relates to why and how the British Government involved themselves in sporting problems. Furthermore, the developments are considered within a historical and sociological framework, which is essential to describe the developments within the football scene. Attention is less devoted to what was thought about football hooligans, but instead what was thought should be done to prevent and punish hooligan activities. More specifically, this period saw an evolution of policy based on public concerns and ‘law and order rhetoric’, which subsequently led to step-changes in regulation practices. In summary, this thesis will evaluate the first state-mediated attempt of ‘policing the hooligan crisis’.