Key Points
- The BBC News report from 1985 listed the six worst English football hooligan firms.
- Firms named included those from Millwall, West Ham, Chelsea, Leeds United, Bristol City, and Blackpool.
- The year 1985 was pivotal, as UEFA banned English clubs from European competition for five years after the Heysel disaster.
- The Heysel stadium tragedy resulted in 39 deaths and hundreds of injuries during the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus.
- Police officer James Bannon spent two years undercover inside the Millwall ‘Bushwackers’ firm.
- Actor Frank Harper, once a Millwall hooligan, described his experiences and named his top five football firms.
- The firms were known for brutal, dangerous clashes and deep-rooted football violence during the 1970s and 1980s.
What was the context of the BBC report on football hooliganism?
As reported by BBC News in 1985, football hooliganism was at a peak in England during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The violence surrounding matches involving English clubs caused widespread concern, especially after the tragic events at Heysel stadium in Brussels. The European football governing body, UEFA, responded by banning all English clubs from European competitions for five years. This ban followed the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus, where riots led to 39 fatalities and hundreds more injured.
The BBC’s Six O’Clock News broadcast in 1985 featured a special report pinpointing the six most notorious hooligan firms in English football, highlighting the scale of the problem.
Which football firms were named as the worst in England?
According to the BBC report detailed on SportBible and other sources, the firms named were:
- Millwall
- West Ham
- Chelsea
- Leeds United
- Bristol City
- Blackpool
These clubs, particularly London-based Millwall, West Ham, and Chelsea, were historically linked to violent fan groups, especially during the 1970s and 1980s when football hooliganism was rampant.
How significant was the 1985 Heysel disaster in the story of English hooliganism?
The Heysel disaster was a turning point. As covered by multiple media outlets including SportBible, it exposed the dire consequences of hooligan violence internationally. The tragedy, which unfolded during the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus, resulted in severe loss of life and injuries due to crowd riots. The incident intensified scrutiny of English football firms and prompted UEFA’s harsh ban on English clubs competing in Europe for five years.
What did undercover police officer James Bannon reveal about Millwall’s Bushwackers firm?
James Bannon’s undercover operation was reported by SportBible in April 2025, where he spent two years embedded in Millwall’s Bushwackers firm posing as a painter and decorator named Jim. At just 21 years old, Bannon witnessed firsthand the harsh realities of football violence. He described confrontations with rival fans as “quick, brutal and not very pleasant,” underscoring the dangerous environment in which hooliganism thrived.
What insights did actor and former hooligan Frank Harper provide?
Frank Harper, an actor known for his roles portraying tough characters, shared his experiences with Millwall hooliganism across three decades (70s, 80s, and 90s), as covered by SportBible in October 2025. He recounted a terrifying moment during a Millwall versus Ipswich match at the Den in the 1970s, where a mob of Ipswich fans invaded the Cold Blow Lane End. Harper described the chaotic crowd and how he narrowly avoided serious injury.
In addition to sharing personal anecdotes, Harper named his top five football firms, which included West Ham, Chelsea, Portsmouth (Pompey), Leeds, and Cardiff City. He stressed the unranked but notorious reputations these firms held in English football hooligan culture.
How did hooliganism shape the culture around English football during that era?
The widespread violence and gang rivalries had a profound impact on football culture in England. Match days were often dangerous, and the presence of organised firms created a climate of fear and disorder. The BBC report and later testimonies like that of Bannon and Harper illustrate how deeply entrenched hooliganism was in football communities. It tainted the sport’s image and led to significant administrative actions both nationally and internationally.
What measures followed the exposure of hooligan firms?
The exposure of these firms and related violence led to stricter policing, enhanced stadium security, and tougher legal sanctions against such groups. The UEFA ban severely impacted English football clubs financially and reputationally. These measures gradually helped reduce hooliganism levels through the late 1980s and beyond, although residual issues persisted for years.
