Among the Thugs vs. Green Street Hooligans

       While reading this book I could not help but notice the similarities with one of my all time favourite movies, Green Street Hooligans. Although the movie is clearly dramatized with a more cliche storyline of a Harvard student who is kicked out after being caught with cocaine in his room and goes to England to visit his family, it still shares many characteristics with this book.

       They are both American journalists living in England. At first they show very little interest in football (NOT soccer), but slowly they begin to pick up the love for the game. As they enter this new lifestyle and learn more about it, both Bill Buford (book) and Matt Buckner (movie) become very fond of this sport culture. Bill explains this perfectly when he claims "was , I see now on reflection, not unlike alcohol or tobacco: disgusting, at first: pleasurable, with effort; addictive, over time. And perhaps, in the end, a little self-destroying" pg 21.

       In the movie Matt meets Pete, his sister's brother in law, who happens to be part of the GSE (Green Street Elite). The GSE is a hooligan "firm" that goes around causing trouble and supports West Ham United. Similarly, Bill befriends Mike, a big man who is a member of the IJC firm (inner-city jibbers) of Manchester United. They go out to a bar and socialize over a couple, actually more than couple, of pints as Mike introduces Bill in to this exiting culture and branch of British football. I really do hope this book continues to follow along the lines of the movie as it is by far my favourite sports movie. I  also look forward to see Bill's adventure with the Manchester United firm as I am a huge fan of the club.

Vocab:

1) hooligan (noun): A violent young troublemaker, typically one of a gang

2) pint (noun): A drink of beer; a liquid measure of capacity, equal to one half of a quart, or.473 liter.