I happen to be somewhat of a soccer fanatic. I've enjoyed the game all my life as a player and a fan. While the sport has come a long way in the U.S., it still doesn't hold a candle to the popularity and fanaticism the sport draws from the rest of the world's billions of inhabitants. The English Premier League is regarded as one of the top leagues in the world, and football, as it is in Europe, is an absolute religion.
In April of this year, my wife and I had the chance to make voyage across the Atlantic Ocean and witness firsthand, the passion of the British for their football. Upton Park, in East London, is the home of the legendary club West Ham United. While the club isn't yet considered a European football giant like such English teams as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea, its history goes back over a century long. And while each club has faithful supporters in England, West Ham supporters hang thier hats on a reputation of passion.
In 2005, a movie called Green Street Hooligans was produced to depict the passion of such football fans... more specifically, West Ham fans. For the majority of football clubs in England, gangs have been formed to ensure die-hard support for the club. These rival gangs (called firms) riot and fight in the stands and the streets for thier clubs, sometimes to the death. In the movie, a college student from the U.S. (Elijah Wood) moves to England for a summer and gets involved with the notorious West Ham firm. The movie demonstrates the violence and passion of these fans, and bitter hatred for rival clubs. The firms don't use guns as gangs here in America typically use, their violence is demonstrated through street fighting with bottles, fists, and knives. Hooliganism is illegal and banned, so many times rival firms will arrange ahead of time of a meeting point for their showdown. The movie captures the hatred between West Ham and its greatest rival Millwall. The two teams don't face each other often as they are typically in different divisions, but when they do, rioting and violence is sure to break out.
I decided to make a post on West Ham United for a few reasons, but one of the most pertinent was that about 2 weeks or so ago, the club WAS paired up with Millwall in a rare matchup in the Carling Cup. And sure enough, chaos between the two club's supporters. Fans running on to the field, riots in the streets, and even a few stabbings. For better or for worse, hooliganism is alive and well at Upton Park, and it almost came straight from the movie. I would like to note that I do not intend to glamorize violence or hooliganism in any way, shape, or form, but the intensity and passion for the game does intrigue me.
The atmostphere at these games is unbelievable. The WHOLE crowd sings and chants together, and each game draws a sellout crowd. I went to a West Ham game while in England and was in awe. It was incredible.
Soccer is cool. West Ham is cool
It should also be noted that I am an avid fan of soccer in the U.S. and support our local boys of Real Salt Lake (more to come on that)
No comments:
Post a Comment