Amazing portraits show the men who ruled the terraces in the 70s, 80s and 90s
And you still wouldn't want to bump into any of them in a dark alley
THESE are the faces of the hooligans who brought terror to the football terraces for decades.
The sinister portraits - released ahead of Euro 2016 - are part of a series from acclaimed photographer Simon Harsent.
His new work explores football hooliganism through petrifying portraits of the football firm leaders themselves.
Entitled GBH (Great Britain's Hooligans) the series brings people face-to-scary face with some of the country's most notorious hooligans.
Simon said: “It's an examination of social discontent in Britain as the beautiful game presented an ugly face, and how the decisions of a few men 30 years ago have impacted their lives today.
“I’m not trying to glorify them or condemn them. These are portraits of people who chose one path in life and now have all turned their lives around.
“There is a written piece in the exhibition catalogue by my brother and co-collaborator on this project that talks to each of the guys about what was going on in their life at the time.
"It talks about the complexities of trying to generalise football hooligans, because there is no one single reason that young males are drawn to it."
Although the men pictured all had different stories to tell about how they got involved in trouble, there was one common theme.
"One thing I did hear from a few of the guys was that it was like an addiction and if looked at like that I think we might perceive it in a different light," revealed Simon.
“If you have other addictions such as drugs there are treatment programs but the so-called cure for a football hooligan is jail time."
When I started following the Baby Squad, I felt protected and also brave because now we had lads who would defend you through thick and thin
Riaz Khan, Leciester City fan
Riaz Khan of Leicester’s Baby Squad said: "Being part of a firm gave you that sense of belonging. I was always on the fringes when I was at school. I never belonged to any sub-culture or gang because I was Asian.
"When I was at school, racism was rife and gangs of boneheads would chase us just because of the colour of our skin.
"When I started following the Baby Squad, I felt protected and also brave because now we had lads who would defend you through thick and thin.
"!I felt invincible. I wasn’t a troublemaker – only at the football."
Danny Brown, of Aston Villa’s C-Crew describes the beginnings of his firm and how it hit back at the rise of racism at football.
For Millwall’s Ginger Bob being part of a football firm appeared pre-destined.
He said: "You’re indoctrinated and brainwashed by your nearest and dearest.
"Everyone comes from the same few roads, it’s like an extended family and you’re representing your area.
"I went to a match in Feb 1967, just before I turned nine – I used to go with my dad. There was a bit of trouble and, even at a young age, I wanted to get involved. [I was] frothing at the mouth with eyes popping out of my head, but you can’t do much at that age.
"If there’s any fighting around you, you look for an opportunity to go up behind someone and give them a sly punch in the kidneys or kick them in the leg and then back off.
"You’re only a kid, but you want to do something for the cause."
Just before I turned nine – I used to go with my dad. There was a bit of trouble and, even at a young age, I wanted to get involved. [I was] frothing at the mouth with eyes popping out of my head
Ginger Bob, Millwall's F-Troop
Many of those in the exhibition have since turned their lives around.
Cass Pennant has become a particularly prolific author and publisher and is now moving into film production.
Barrington ‘One-Eyed Baz’ Patterson focused his formidable physique, passion and drive into both mixed martial arts and kickboxing and became an IKF champion.
Danny Brown took time to involve himself in youth work in schools and youth centres, while the Baby Squad’s Riaz Khan gained an MA in English Language teaching and teaches at college and university.
Gary ‘Boatsy’ Clarke’s has featured on numerous documentaries and Jason Marriner continues to make his voice heard by speaking at various events around the country.
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