Fighting At Arsenal, Attacks On The Public And My Cover Getting Blown | Minutes With |

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  • čas přidán 29. 07. 2022
  • Former police officer James Bannon sat down this us to share his story of infiltrating a British football hooligan firm.
    James spent two years undercover with the infamous hooligans of London-based football team Millwall, known as the Bushwackers, during the height of football violence in England in the late 1980s.
    James' story was adapted into the 1995 film 'I.D.'
    Follow James on Twitter here:
    / runningwiththef
    You can also buy his book on Amazon here:
    www.amazon.co.uk/Running-Firm...
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Komentáře • 2,1K

  • @sammuddel7751
    @sammuddel7751 Před rokem +3067

    to attack a chap like that in front of his wife and kids is just savage. Such an act of cowardice. I hope those girls have been able to heal from it.

  • @paolorossi955
    @paolorossi955 Před rokem +836

    Hitting an innocent man especially in front of his children is lowest of the low !!! Absolute scumbag

    • @JacePT_
      @JacePT_ Před rokem +40

      Millwall fans for you.

    • @bubandlisa
      @bubandlisa Před rokem +28

      Getting excited and attaching your ego to a bunch of men kicking a ball is stupid.
      Men meeting up to fight dudes wearing a different jersey is pathetic

    • @tendrosstoodross2976
      @tendrosstoodross2976 Před rokem +4

      Taking your kids to such a match is irresponsible.

    • @julianf-b475
      @julianf-b475 Před rokem +18

      @@tendrosstoodross2976 The man with his family was on a train. Not at a football match.

    • @CyanideSunshines
      @CyanideSunshines Před rokem +6

      @@tendrosstoodross2976 in that case having kids at all is irresponsible. Mist kids are abused by someone they know

  • @JS52ATS
    @JS52ATS Před rokem +801

    I could listen to this guys stories all day. I’ll never be able to fathom how people can be so attached to a game to the point of wanting to hurt someone else, I know people are passionate but it’s just football.

    • @tq6892
      @tq6892 Před rokem +142

      It's nothing to do with football. It's primal.

    • @tw9341
      @tw9341 Před rokem +39

      it's not just a game of football. There's more to it, only people involved in this can truly say what it felt like. Was a better rush than taking drugs!!
      I have to say despite the criminal convictions I took from it, it was one of the best times in my life. The commorady, the buzz, going to football etc and standing toe to toe with your mates with others who want to beat you up.
      You do grow up, or it's forced on you to grow up.
      I'm glad I'm no longer involved in it all, but do look back at memories and think christ, how did we get away that!

    • @user-zs9zs9nq9l
      @user-zs9zs9nq9l Před rokem +73

      @@tw9341 how do you think you grow up by acting like a hooligan and committing acts of violence? I think most people would view that as immature or perhaps carried out by people with a lower level of intelligence.

    • @tw9341
      @tw9341 Před rokem +25

      @@user-zs9zs9nq9l I grew up out of it when I become a father, I grew up out of it after facing prison.
      That’s what I meant.

    • @crookieee
      @crookieee Před rokem

      Nothing to with being primal it’s a bunch of knuckle dragging Neanderthals that don’t know how to grow up

  • @hnjahnjah
    @hnjahnjah Před rokem +456

    A friend of mine told me a similar story. In Croatia, where I come from there is a long standing rivalry /hatred between the top two football teams, Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb. Him and a few lads were going to a Derby with a van and it broke down on the highway, so they were pretty bummed out because they will miss the match. Naturally, every football fan has a sticker on his car from his favorite club. So to their astonishment another van stopped with a Dinamo sticker on it. They were pretty thankful to the guys who stopped for helping them. So lo and behold instead of helping the poor guys with their broken down van they beat the crap out of them, got back into their van and drove off. I mean, passion and love for a club only goes so far... That guy punching the guy on the train in front of his wife and kids is just a maniac and I hope he was locked up

    • @mpglad402
      @mpglad402 Před rokem +8

      bad blue boys are very intense

    • @a7128
      @a7128 Před rokem

      @@mpglad402 Dinamo fans hate Hadjuk because half of the Hadjuk fans are Serbs

    • @respectttt12345
      @respectttt12345 Před rokem +5

      At least they did their beatings and mischief like a man nowadays somebody has a weapon on them and somebody ends up dying instead of dealing with it like real men

    • @user-xb6br9uk2o
      @user-xb6br9uk2o Před rokem +53

      @@respectttt12345 yeah because a real man decks another in front of his two little girls and wife

    • @ianfreemantle5980
      @ianfreemantle5980 Před rokem +7

      Bigest gang hooligans
      Met police

  • @subtitlesonplease
    @subtitlesonplease Před rokem +1232

    I had no idea that hooliganism was THIS intense and organised. It’s frightening. Very brave guy as well

    • @seltonk5136
      @seltonk5136 Před rokem +1

      Dire Straights or Chewbaccao Ma

    • @connormc4477
      @connormc4477 Před rokem +51

      Some of it is very organised, some of it are just lads getting drunk fur a game n see people wearing the other team's colours. Like wi the Old Firm (Celtic v Rangers) you huv hooligans who are part of a proper group n make plans fur when, what and where to do shit but also random teens n neds who on match day will be drunk n see someone wearing the other team's colours n start a fight wi them

    • @sosig8332
      @sosig8332 Před rokem +1

      @@connormc4477 have*

    • @Ozzy-87
      @Ozzy-87 Před rokem

      this was the late 80s to mid 90s the era when cctv was being brought in so you had to be this organized otherwise you were going to jail very quickly

    • @Threemore650
      @Threemore650 Před rokem +25

      They’ve always been organised, some dont even go to the match. They call themselves ‘firms’ and usually meet up for a square off with the designated enemy.
      Think if it as a warrior class training for futurewars. Once I saw it that way I was able to stop hating them.
      The more masculinity is demonised - the more people like this will need an outlet.
      Obviously I’m not condoning it, or any other violence. I think most of them would condemn the guy hitting someone in front of their kids.
      There on the other hand, it’s not my world, I’m just trying to understand it.

  • @frankiemalkin6506
    @frankiemalkin6506 Před rokem +627

    Propper football hooligans don't attack shirts. Hooligans know who the other hooligans are, and who's up for it. The guy who attacked the crystal palace fan on the train with his kids wasn't a hooligan, he was obviously just a knob head

    • @Buffthebean
      @Buffthebean Před rokem +12

      Spot on mate

    • @c08ra
      @c08ra Před rokem

      But it’s Millwall mate. They are the scum of hooligans to keep their name as it is. Wall are like the arseholes of football culture as they don’t behave within the code

    • @johnh1252
      @johnh1252 Před rokem +9

      exactly

    • @chazbazza
      @chazbazza Před rokem +103

      Yeah mate hooligan code of honour n all that 😂😂

    • @gf6x3gkmfw38
      @gf6x3gkmfw38 Před rokem +1

      All hooligans are knobheads.

  • @kiradotee
    @kiradotee Před rokem +77

    Loved his emotions. It's like a rollercoaster of ups and downs and loved seeing him feeling happy and sad, he just presents emotions well.

  • @pickettsvaleting
    @pickettsvaleting Před rokem +233

    My dad used to be into this sort of thing before I was born. He still has scars from it all and tells some horrific stories of when the other firm catches you on your own etc.
    He always says he regrets it and never fully understands when he even got involved in the beginning. I remember him saying it feels like you was part of a pack/family and you all looked out for each other.
    Luckily my mum got my dad out of it all before I was born and he hasn’t turned back since

    • @Eddiesmags15
      @Eddiesmags15 Před rokem +5

      Lucky your dad didn’t do what Steve did, if you know, you know

    • @matthewnayler6317
      @matthewnayler6317 Před rokem +25

      Like your dad said, it's the pack mentality, and especially back in the 80s, working class lads were going through a lot due to the social situations at the time, as a result, they're full of anger and this tends to come out at the weekend with mates, pissed up, etc. Same nowadays and why it's creeping back in.

    • @Jonathan_Doe_
      @Jonathan_Doe_ Před rokem

      Look up the link between leaded petrol and violent crime, then consider we didn’t start reducing the amount of lead in U.K. petrol until the mid 80’s, and didn’t completely ban it from sale at some stations (for use in vehicles that couldn’t use LRP) until 1999.
      The decline in football violence follows this pattern, but lagging a few years behind the reductions/bans (because lead affects children more then remains in their bones continuing to affect their behaviour as adults). If your dads bones were tested, they’d probably find some lead in them.

    • @connienail4013
      @connienail4013 Před rokem

      I'd say riding prostitutes and each other's wives too.

    • @evonneokafor
      @evonneokafor Před rokem +1

      @@matthewnayler6317 I agree especially what happened between Spurs and Arsenal fans a couple of months ago. Could add what happened after the Everton v Palace match and other matches that I could mentioned. I blame this government for making this sort of environment socially acceptable. If they actually cared about sorting out the problems with the working class then they don't have the urge to be hooligans again.

  • @jokanaan2486
    @jokanaan2486 Před rokem +331

    I googled him because I thought he had a great acting potential. It turned out he tried his luck in acting and even got some advice from Gary Oldman. He is a successful author, stand-up performer and investor, so I'm glad he is doing very well.

    • @BipoIarbear
      @BipoIarbear Před rokem +36

      There's a movie called ID which it seems was based on this guy

    • @Lauren_MUFC16
      @Lauren_MUFC16 Před rokem +2

      He got advice from Bex Bissell? Lol

    • @BipoIarbear
      @BipoIarbear Před rokem +11

      @@Lauren_MUFC16 he was quite literally the best undercover guy they had but u gotta do bad things to catch worse people , wasn't necessarily football people he was after , he was after people behind it the big dealers and connected gangsters but he found out the police was as bad as the people he was trying to catch and they shut it down and just took down the middle tier guys instead of the big fish.
      A good mate of mine was undercover here in lufc country an he bought his way up to like million pound drug deals , there was 3 guys an him one day there was a meeting and they just turned on him an he woke up 2 years later 😳 doesn't know if he gave himself away or someone found something out , he told me he went to murder squad for a rest after 😳

    • @Lauren_MUFC16
      @Lauren_MUFC16 Před rokem

      @@BipoIarbear oh I totally understand you’ve got to play the part and emulate the people around you, or they’d sniff you out in a second. I can only imagine these firms and what’s really at the top….drugs, high stakes gambling, possibly weapons…it’s like well organised gangs or mafia if you will. I can’t imagine what your mate saw doing all that. I was just having a laugh really with the bex bissell comment cos of Gary Oldman and the firm and all that. 🙂

    • @BipoIarbear
      @BipoIarbear Před rokem +4

      @@Lauren_MUFC16 awe thought we was gonna have some war o roses banter 😭 u know wat tho not sure wat age ya are but my fave footy days were 90s to mid 2000s specially Leeds man u games there was a proper rivalry .
      When I worked in Leeds and a match was on my route took me by a pub forget the name but it was terrifying just driving by it cos everyone would stare at u like ya was a copper or something it's only time when I felt like that pressure an I was nothing to do with it and I was a Leeds fan🤣 I think it was the red car and I wish I was joking 🤣

  • @bountyhuntermk2520
    @bountyhuntermk2520 Před rokem +8

    This is the best one yet - loved this interview

  • @harrycallahan9143
    @harrycallahan9143 Před rokem +168

    Used to work with this older guy who was a Chelsea fan who would tell us about what him and his mates used to get up to when he was younger, even he said he was shocked at the level of violence of some of them, him and his mates were in Pizza Hut once and they left without paying for some poor guy working there tried to stop them who went "Come on lads don't be like that" and one just turned around and KO'ed him with one punch, another occasion they were in a snooker club and they offered to play these young guys at a game, for whatever reason one started on this young fellow and broke his jaw with a snooker cue, he could see that his jaw was out of shape, even Paul said he felt sickened by what happened and said leave it out he's just a kid!
    Some people are just raving lunatics, some real scumbags out there, watch yourself at all times.

    • @UKGeezer
      @UKGeezer Před rokem

      Yeah, some of these shit heads just want to hurt people for their own pleasure. They're not worth the air they breath.

    • @biddyearly9262
      @biddyearly9262 Před rokem +8

      Your right and yet they tell us not to carry knifes. A knife will protect me from chelsea headhunters.

    • @TheWESTSIDE1967
      @TheWESTSIDE1967 Před rokem

      Chelsea were wankers ⚒

    • @crispincattermole
      @crispincattermole Před rokem +6

      @@biddyearly9262 not if they take it off you, a bit of ammonia in the old jif lemon will relive you of that.
      Your better off giving it a swerve, unless you're up for it.

    • @account-yi2cn
      @account-yi2cn Před rokem +2

      whos Paul

  • @ryanlock1101
    @ryanlock1101 Před rokem +70

    need more stories like this over a longer time, maybe like 45 minutes.

  • @Myer468
    @Myer468 Před rokem +14

    My Dad was a Millwall hooligan, a half way line boy to be precise. He used to take me as a child to watch them play and kick off. I've never been interested in Violence or hurting people as Dad did but ile always love Millwall, not just because it was my father's Legacy but I'm from Millwall aswell. He even kept a scrap book with every single match he attended during his youth till i was little, still got the book to this day, RIP Dad

    • @ts4366
      @ts4366 Před rokem +1

      Good riddance to your Dad. He was a nasty piece of work

    • @T1CHE14
      @T1CHE14 Před 4 dny

      Are you from Millwall? East London?

  • @marcboland6492
    @marcboland6492 Před rokem +122

    There was pain in his voice when asked about attachments to some fans . Imagine making genuine friends and knowing they were living a lie thinking you were just like them , if you knew they were good at heart it must feel so snakey knowing they see you as a friend and to you theyre just part of your job

    • @michaelmorgan8539
      @michaelmorgan8539 Před rokem +4

      He is a lieing there was no pub called the puffin in New Cross were we used to meet up before a game and I was going from 1970 till 1995 and he said we lost there we done the double over them that year 3 1 at home and 2 1 away go back to writing for jacknory Jim baan

    • @mrnice7570
      @mrnice7570 Před rokem +4

      @@michaelmorgan8539 isn't this the whole plot to the film I.D.

    • @michaelmorgan8539
      @michaelmorgan8539 Před rokem

      @@mrnice7570 I don't know never seen the film mate all I know he just a bullshiter I can't believe people actually think it's the truth omg what fools

    • @Ksknight100
      @Ksknight100 Před rokem

      @@michaelmorgan8539 I'm a retired Met copper and lifelong West Ham fan.... I've never heard of this twat!!
      Had some great fun back in the day with "The Wall" at the old Dell. I actually have a soft spot for you guys. Good luck for the new season mukka.

    • @michaelmorgan8539
      @michaelmorgan8539 Před rokem

      @@Ksknight100 I know he is a joke good luck for this season

  • @xminusone1
    @xminusone1 Před rokem +1

    I'm glad the vast majority of the people featured on that channel are from Europe, Australia, UK, Denmark and many other differents countries. It's not about stroking a particular country ego, like many others channels do, but about extraordinary people, recounting extraordinary stories. I'm glad I found that channel. So many real life heroes, not fictional, overdramatic stories, exaggerated stories, no obnoxious music or clickbaits. Only good questions and detailed account. Great job.👌

  • @craigbentley906
    @craigbentley906 Před rokem +3

    What a legend!! Admire his honesty when explaining the adrenaline rush.

  • @digitaldevil696
    @digitaldevil696 Před rokem +278

    Mad respect to the man. Interestingly enough, both of the undercover police officers interviewed on this channel (drugs police officers and now this bloke) have chosen to leave the force. And both seem to be decent people ending up criticizing the police for not doing a good job. If only there were more officers like them instead of the blue wall of silence.

    • @650kfit5
      @650kfit5 Před rokem +13

      Selectively picked though, those who remain in can't talk about It, both these guys were in 20+ years ago and it's a lot different now to how it would of been

    • @digitaldevil696
      @digitaldevil696 Před rokem

      @@650kfit5 oh, absolutely, totally agree with your point. I would be very interested to learn what has changed as for now, what stayed the same, what became better, etc. But we're not getting this information any time soon for obvious reasons

    • @sjukbasketball8498
      @sjukbasketball8498 Před rokem

      The same goes for anyone in the job. Look at police chiefs for example. Just spineless yes people who do as they’re told and as soon as they get that golden pension they start squawking like budgies about the inadequacies and lack of funding. They do F all for their colleagues because they’re selfish

    • @650kfit5
      @650kfit5 Před rokem +1

      @@sjukbasketball8498 not really, same in any job some just make it to the top. I've met all the chiefs at various events and my own and a handful are absolutely amazing and will stick up for staff

    • @sjukbasketball8498
      @sjukbasketball8498 Před rokem +3

      @@650kfit5 meeting a few at an event doesn’t mean you get to see the operational competence of those people. I’m sure they speak highly at events etc but when push comes to shove they do as they’re told as they know they’ll be replaced with someone who will do exactly that

  • @jayp9653
    @jayp9653 Před rokem +88

    A undercover copper got arrested and legged it from his own colleagues 🤣guys a legend

  • @jonny5696
    @jonny5696 Před rokem +260

    When my Dad was 15 he was wearing an Oldham scarf waiting to get on the bus home from the game, and he got jumped by about 10 25+year old Tottenham supporters who stomped his face in and broke his nose which gave his sinus problems for life. To this day he's never been able to forgive them and will literally walk out of a room if Tottenham are playing.

    • @allwrighty100
      @allwrighty100 Před rokem +4

      Time's a great healer, he'll eventually get over it.

    • @emma1784
      @emma1784 Před rokem +87

      Bit insensitive to say he’ll just get over it. Such a traumatic experience will haunt you. I’m an Arsenal fan so know full well how easy it is to walk out of a room when Tottenham are playing 😅
      On a serious note that is awful and I hope he doesn’t always make this association. There are good and bad apples everywhere, sadly football gets ruined by the ones that use their team as a cause for bad. Bit like religion. The idea isn’t bad, it’s bad people that use the idea to support their own hate regime.
      I know this full well having stupidly being with a person that was a united hooligan when I was younger and more impressionable. You can kill the cause but you can’t kill facism and bigot

    • @thebritishbushman8389
      @thebritishbushman8389 Před rokem +16

      @@allwrighty100 You never get over hating those spuds down the 7 Sisters.

    • @thebritishbushman8389
      @thebritishbushman8389 Před rokem

      @@emma1784 It is not being insensitive. It’s more like a lack of a cell in said persons melon. You never forget hating the scum from shite hart lane.

    • @TrancEII2010
      @TrancEII2010 Před rokem +11

      Every team has rotten supporters, but that is an all time low....disgusting

  • @steve88evets31
    @steve88evets31 Před rokem +120

    This is the story of I.D. a film from the 90s. Really good film. Clearly the stories influenced the guy to write the film or the film director spoke with these officers.
    There are exact scenes in the film that this guy tells. Was very interesting to hear his accounts first hand. Love his honesty and integrity

  • @robsmithracing
    @robsmithracing Před rokem +242

    Never understood the mental thought process of football hooligans. Yes there are rivalries between teams but genuine supporters will just chant and mock each other as we’re all there for the football.

    • @DeanK1905
      @DeanK1905 Před rokem +117

      Working class lads angry at their circumstances, get together and let out some frustration on the weekends fuelled by booze and coke

    • @swfcocs1
      @swfcocs1 Před rokem +47

      I was one for a few years until the start of acid house and it's very addictive, theres the crazy adrenaline rushes, it's a sense of identity and belonging, not forgetting going to a new city with 50 or 100 friends was a great laugh

    • @alexblades1889
      @alexblades1889 Před rokem

      @@DeanK1905 bullshit

    • @BlackestEyes709
      @BlackestEyes709 Před rokem +2

      Same here mate, i live round the corner from the Tottenham ground and i personally couldn't give a shit about football, i'm a movie nerd

    • @JustAnOrdinarySimmer
      @JustAnOrdinarySimmer Před rokem

      I think they just take football personal, like, if the team they support loses, they will want to kick the shit out of the fans of the team that beat them. You see them at times on Facebook, someone will make a comment how a team lost at football and there was this reply from someone along the lines of "Yeah we did lose just like your lot did too after the game". Even kinda explains in all these hooligan films.. never any reason in perticular why they choose that path, but they are surrounded by hundreds of people willing to have their back so it gives them a sense of security and at times, importance. 3 words for them - Scumbags, Junkies, Pussies

  • @RUFeelin
    @RUFeelin Před rokem +27

    "ID" the movie. Arguably the best football hooligan movie of all time.
    Shadwell Dogs...!!!!

  • @THREAPZ1
    @THREAPZ1 Před rokem +33

    The book on this man’s story is unreal. The stories and details of his operation and how it took over his life is unbelievable!

    • @lifeshort
      @lifeshort Před rokem

      Sounds decent. What's it called?

    • @THREAPZ1
      @THREAPZ1 Před rokem +8

      @@lifeshort it’s called Running with the firm

    • @lifeshort
      @lifeshort Před rokem +3

      @@THREAPZ1 Thanks mate

    • @iamthewalruscuckookachoo1372
      @iamthewalruscuckookachoo1372 Před rokem +2

      Sounds like the movie I.D his cover and infiltration during the day in the boozer to get the face known.

    • @tomfrench5455
      @tomfrench5455 Před rokem

      @@iamthewalruscuckookachoo1372 ID is based on his story.

  • @Rhyskendall8
    @Rhyskendall8 Před rokem +2

    ID is by far the best hooligan film. I kept recognising bits from the film in his story and the read the description. Got some balls this dude

  • @chelsea9686
    @chelsea9686 Před rokem +108

    This is one of the best ones youve ever done.

  • @johnh1252
    @johnh1252 Před rokem +29

    I remember that game. Millwall were in lots of small groups because a big firm would be too easy to police. There were sirens going off in all directions. Most of Arsenal's firm went into the stadium but Miller was having a go allegedly.

    • @NH-bz9jv
      @NH-bz9jv Před rokem +2

      Firm? Bunch of silly little boys🙄😂😂😂

    • @NH-bz9jv
      @NH-bz9jv Před rokem

      @@markjohn1910 who gives a fuck? Bunch of silly little boys pretending to be hard men🙄🤣🤣🤣

    • @markjohn1910
      @markjohn1910 Před rokem

      Arsenal were well on it that day , I was in northbank and in The Arsenal tavern before hand when millwall attacked normal fans ( not hooligans ) , millwall came in northbank and proper came unstuck

  • @dennymc9646
    @dennymc9646 Před rokem +3

    Just read through book, well worth a read and has led me to watch I.D again.
    Can't imagine the bottle it takes to do what he did, and fair play for being honest about how much you enjoyed it and liked the people.

    • @thomashamilton8125
      @thomashamilton8125 Před rokem +1

      So glad u mentioned I.D
      He’s story sounds near
      Word for word like that film
      So many similarities…

    • @dennymc9646
      @dennymc9646 Před rokem +1

      @@thomashamilton8125 he wrote the story for ID, it was based on his experiences, the film doesn't follow the book to the letter and I would say the book is better, but it's worth reading and watching them one after the other 👍.

    • @edturner9670
      @edturner9670 Před rokem +1

      I was getting very strong ID vibes within the first few minutes of this video. I thought to myself, that film has to be based on this guy's experiences as there are just far too many similarities.
      I've never really been a football fan and always found it hard to fathom why many are so passionate about the game spending hundreds on season tickets but each to their own. The same for the football firms really. However, I really enjoyed the film ID and I thought it blows the other films about football hooliganism out of the water and especially for small TV film production.
      I guess that even if I don't understand a particular world that's not a part of my life, I'm still curious about other people's stories and experiences and what makes them tick.
      What is the name of the book if you don't mind me asking?

    • @dennymc9646
      @dennymc9646 Před rokem

      @@edturner9670 running with the firm.

    • @edturner9670
      @edturner9670 Před rokem +1

      @@dennymc9646 Thanks 👍

  • @StoodersFam
    @StoodersFam Před rokem +8

    If this was the 1988 FA Cup game, then I was there. It was my second home game, aged 17. They also smashed up the Plimsoll Arms, like a pack of hyenas, disgusting and traumatic. It was the 3rd round, and the away end at Arsenal is the clock end. We also played them in 1995, 3rd round, lost that game but I didn't go, the North Bank was probably being developed by this point, to all seats, post Hillsborough. Great story though man, thanks for letting us into that world.

  • @diligaf1000
    @diligaf1000 Před rokem +5

    Fascinating interview

  • @a1d3nh0
    @a1d3nh0 Před rokem +201

    One of my good friends was the head of a certain football teams hooligan group. I never heard of them attacking the public. In fact he said they never would. When their team would be playing another team, that other team’s main guy would contact my mate and they’d arrange where to meet before / after the game. They’d have a war then leave. He absolutely loved it. I could never see why. I always assumed it was just those who want to fight vs those who want to fight. The public / innocent people is terrible.

    • @tomw6947
      @tomw6947 Před rokem +55

      This is 100% correct how football firms work, but there are lots of youth and other small groups running around who won't be apart of a firm and will just cause trouble in pubs etc.

    • @Bajaos
      @Bajaos Před rokem

      hahahaha they always said that. I'm criminal but no innocent people are harm. But when shit hit the fan they dont give a shit about innocent people.

    • @avslope8963
      @avslope8963 Před rokem +22

      A guy I knew who ran with the Villa firm also said they would never attack someone wearing a teams colours in any form ie shirt, scarf, badge etc.

    • @TristanBehrens
      @TristanBehrens Před rokem +18

      The head is one thing but there are a lot of members who may not have the same moral fortitude...

    • @jw1289
      @jw1289 Před rokem +16

      Millwall Bushwackers were next level back in the 80s.

  • @Pulpy0147
    @Pulpy0147 Před rokem +1

    I just watched ID and instantly knew this story, didnt think to read the info haha. Makes it even more incredible of a story.

  • @ThedarkOwl
    @ThedarkOwl Před rokem +1

    what a story very entertaining and mind opening to hear

  • @BSMAG87
    @BSMAG87 Před rokem +4

    Initially, I thought, this sounds familiar. Checked the description and ID was based on this, but wow, can't believe how much of it was true to life (the bit escaping the police into the crowd in particular 🤣)

  • @hsheeld
    @hsheeld Před rokem +45

    Those stories he told are pretty mild. Some of the things I’ve seen following Chelsea my whole life were pretty fucking horrible. About the Chelsea trial he is referring to, the guys they were going after, most of them were pretty serious and the fact those cops even needed to fabricate evidence is almost ironic considering what I know to be actual fact. None of this even goes into the insanity that went on from the 60s-90s.

  • @michaelconroy5668
    @michaelconroy5668 Před rokem

    these conversations are brilliant

  • @jcfal1708
    @jcfal1708 Před rokem +1

    Amazing , I lived through the bad old days of The hooligan hype in the 70's, guys like this put their lives on the line, and like he says. must have had huge egos to imagine they could survive it. Sends a chill through my memories.

  • @KissTheGreat
    @KissTheGreat Před rokem +91

    I’ve worked with a chief superintendent who used to do this stuff as well he had some wild stories too. Someone threw a fridge at him at a football match once 😂

  • @LADbible
    @LADbible  Před rokem +12

    Follow James on Twitter here:
    twitter.com/runningwiththef
    You can also buy his book on Amazon here:
    www.amazon.co.uk/Running-Firm...
    And for more insight into his story, see our article here:
    www.sportbible.com/football/former-millwall-football-hooligan-arsenal-20220727?source=facebook

    • @francesbale1409
      @francesbale1409 Před rokem +1

      Oh whats this? A video with a man talking about something that has nothing to do with sex? Thats interesting. When will we see something not sexual from a woman interviewee ladbible? Hope its what you're planning next.

    • @cjpalmer2052
      @cjpalmer2052 Před rokem

      One of the best books I've read

  • @alfredo273
    @alfredo273 Před rokem

    This needs to turnt into a film or series, that would be unreal 🙌🙌

  • @wagwan6248
    @wagwan6248 Před rokem +2

    I can appreciate this guy honesty

  • @irvken
    @irvken Před rokem +9

    i love that he ended up hating the police and supporting millwall

  • @w0202
    @w0202 Před rokem +5

    I definitely read his book. Amazing to see the person behind the book. I'm not a fan of this kind of work but the way he handled the situations where he got in is pretty amazing.

    • @adalhussain7466
      @adalhussain7466 Před rokem

      Which book is this your referring to? Would love to read

    • @w0202
      @w0202 Před rokem +1

      It's called "running with the firm"

  • @andycole366
    @andycole366 Před rokem

    This is so interesting. Great watch 👌

  • @UnderAlexis
    @UnderAlexis Před rokem +2

    I bought his book in the airport and couldn't put it down, great read.

  • @michaelcorleone7598
    @michaelcorleone7598 Před rokem +3

    I read his book “Running With The Firm” great read

  • @Bcfc-rv7yi
    @Bcfc-rv7yi Před rokem +7

    What i find really interesting is how he viewed the Police from a fan’s perspective and that’s what made him leave..
    That says it all for me really. The police have and still do treat football fans like animals when in reality especially nowadays it’s only a very small % of fans looking to cause trouble.

  • @davidking6172
    @davidking6172 Před rokem

    Thanks for your service good man

  • @Matty217
    @Matty217 Před 10 měsíci

    Great interview. I wanted to hear more.

  • @matthewarmitage6681
    @matthewarmitage6681 Před rokem +6

    I was involved in that life back in the day too. However if any of our lads had beaten up a Man that was out with his family then we'd have never allowed it. It's bollocks saying that he didn't do anything to help because he had to save his cover. In reality any causal would have stopped it because nobody wants a name for attacking a family. It would have destroyed the firm's name. So stopping it would have enhanced his position in the firm for protecting their image from becoming one of attacking the defenceless

  • @mrkipling2201
    @mrkipling2201 Před rokem +4

    Read this blokes book. Very interesting. The police thought they would try infiltrating the firms in the late 1980’s, especially after the fiasco of the Own Goal and ICF cases. It garnered mixed results, the infiltration of the firms.

  • @Tiabliaj1989
    @Tiabliaj1989 Před rokem

    Omg, I was thinking from about 2 minutes in that this mans story sounded familiar...then at 14:00 the story about the mates at the pub going to visit him at a job...the film I.D (1995) must have used his story. WOW. Mans a hero.

  • @DrJRMCFC
    @DrJRMCFC Před rokem

    so interesting having been a fan going to these kinds of matches at that time

  • @delux976
    @delux976 Před rokem +4

    Am retired i used to run with a firm back in the 70's early 80's Eventually I grew up than joined the police in the early 2000's.My experiences made me a good cop tbh more streetwise.The cops back in the day were far more corrupt and underhand to how they are now just as the level of violence at matches was far worse and more organized. CCTV has been the best thing for modern policing

    • @notmenotme614
      @notmenotme614 Před rokem

      CCTV is useless. I know many people who have had their cars stolen in front of CCTV and the police did nothing.
      Has CCTV deterred criminals? No

  • @jont508
    @jont508 Před rokem +16

    Watch the 90's classic I.D based on James Bannon's story, well worth a watch

    • @deancapewell8927
      @deancapewell8927 Před rokem

      Fantastic

    • @martinl4552
      @martinl4552 Před rokem

      This guys story reminds me a lot of that film some of the scenarios sound like they were in the movie. I wonder if he was the inspiration?

    • @jont508
      @jont508 Před rokem

      @@martinl4552 It was based on his story, he left the police force after he was undercover i'm sure he had a part in the making of the film , he also has book out called Running with the firm

  • @KicktoTouch
    @KicktoTouch Před rokem

    Really enjoyed this one 👌🏻

  • @mraide
    @mraide Před rokem +1

    I saw ID years ago, was truly a gripping messed up film, but to see the guy who's story it was based on... very humbling

    • @iamthewalruscuckookachoo1372
      @iamthewalruscuckookachoo1372 Před rokem +1

      Thanks mate. I was asking this but didn't get an answer. When he started going on about paint and decorater and going in the pub during the day and the barmade sussing them out.

  • @01sevensix
    @01sevensix Před rokem +3

    ladbible giving me what I want before I knew I wanted it.

  • @cuchuallin
    @cuchuallin Před rokem +4

    Back in the day, an Arsenal football hooligan used to come into work on Mondays boasting about the fights he had at the football matches, "offs" he called them...One night we were out and he kept heckling my jokes, eventually I told him if he did it one more time, we'd have to take it outside... he folded like a cheap suit.. Not so tough without a gang I guess.

  • @HAMMERSFANSUNITED
    @HAMMERSFANSUNITED Před rokem

    Great interview, very interesting watch.

  • @danielcpt3819
    @danielcpt3819 Před rokem

    Back to terrific real life content. Brilliant.

  • @Zombieturtles
    @Zombieturtles Před rokem +6

    ‘Yep I’m gonna need to go to the pub for lunch every day for a few months’

  • @damotheman4196
    @damotheman4196 Před rokem +11

    When the pawn shop closes for the evening Rick leaves chumlee and big hoss to fly to England and scalp some football fans😂

  • @elfboy29
    @elfboy29 Před rokem

    Try to imagine how hard it is to live like that: go to bed thinking tomorrow I have to go on a binge wih them again, be on the ball. My job does my head in but these guys, respect.

  • @hiddensword9387
    @hiddensword9387 Před 6 měsíci +1

    There's a British movie from the mid 90's called 'I.D' about undercover police officers in a football hooligan gang. Ironically or maybe not, the cover for them was as painters and decorators.

    • @ChrisM-bn5vr
      @ChrisM-bn5vr Před 4 měsíci

      I just watched this movie and this guy is just basically retelling this movie word for word, I feel like a lot of his story is bullshit.

  • @jimclement8492
    @jimclement8492 Před rokem +106

    Interesting interview, but a frustrating waste of the publics tax money (spent on tickets, travel, booze, drugs etc) for 2.5yrs with absolutely zero outcome... 😒 Also a massive missed opportunity for this and other undercover offices to go back and continuously improve policing and policies from an outside looking glass.

    • @DamianSAAAN
      @DamianSAAAN Před rokem +16

      “Waste of public tax money” you just described the police

    • @007ptb007
      @007ptb007 Před rokem +5

      @@DamianSAAAN to be fair the police do arrest some murderers, rapists, pedophiles etc. Did this undercover guy get arrests after this operation?

    • @OneAfter-wb9gq
      @OneAfter-wb9gq Před rokem

      @@007ptb007 Yes but very often they let the evidence come to them so to speak. Dennis Nilsen was only found when remains blocked the pipes in his home/flat. The step mother and murderer of Arthur Hughes bloody called the medics and was so evidently lying that even the dumb police couldn't miss it though they had in the past (social services did but they're two branches from the same ugly tree)

    • @007ptb007
      @007ptb007 Před rokem +2

      @@OneAfter-wb9gq very true in some cases and with some bad officers, you reminded me of what a friend told me, he's an officer, he was telling us one night most of their time is used up on little scumbag repeat offenders, here in Ireland anyway there's 1000s of criminals going around with well over 100 previous convictions, recently in the news a guy with 225 previous convictions done something horrible to some girl, anyway the officers make these arrests, get these cases together and the judges either throw it out or suspend it or give them some ridiculous punishment, so they're out doing it again straightaway, he was saying due to this time wasting bullshit alot of horrible people have gotten away and alot of horrible crimes which could have been prevented weren't, he said do you know that channel 4 show 24 hours in police custody, its exactly like that, drunk people, scumbags, people with mental health issues etc. Waste all the time and resources, whereas dangerous criminals are more careful and they take a huge effort to catch because most serious criminals aren't like these alcoholics, people on drugs, extremely uneducated people who have social problems or have server mental issue like paranoia or delusional etc. Hooligans usually fall into this group I've described so are apart of the wasted resources

    • @notmenotme614
      @notmenotme614 Před rokem +1

      @@007ptb007 So police pick on the easy targets, like vulnerable people. While the police can’t be bothered to do any investigation into burglary, robbery, car theft or arson. Letting down victims of real crime.
      I was once in a bar and overheard a guy talking, he sounded like an off-duty police officer. He was bragging to his mate about how he loves escalating the situation and “wrapping up” someone with learning difficulties. It’s that police officer who is a bully, a coward and iobsworth who can’t do anything else.
      No wonder the Met Police are under investigation and are that bad they could be abolished.

  • @CircusNormal
    @CircusNormal Před rokem +25

    I fucking love you Gumbo!

    • @banna1150
      @banna1150 Před rokem +1

      I never realised ID was based on a true story

  • @davebolan7282
    @davebolan7282 Před rokem +1

    The rivalry in London teams, around Canning town, is down to a dock workers strike in the early 1900s, one factory walked out on strike, the other remained working. Not sure if that is the Rivalry between West Ham and Millwall.

  • @bicivelo
    @bicivelo Před rokem +2

    “Some of them were really nice guys. They just wanted to have a fight at football.” Haha!

  • @AndyAsh1983
    @AndyAsh1983 Před rokem +18

    As soon as he said he went in a Millwall pub pretending to be a painting and decorator, I thought of the film I.D, must of been based on his life.

  • @calumcooper3295
    @calumcooper3295 Před rokem +28

    Good decision to leave. What a way to be treated after two years of that sort of service - and at 23!

    • @TheVeeginator
      @TheVeeginator Před rokem

      This is why ACAB is spray painted all over cities in England. Whilst some police officers are good most are power tripping arse holes more interested in bullying ordinary people than catching hardened criminals.
      Security guards with a licence to harass.

  • @parmaman8551
    @parmaman8551 Před rokem +1

    I remember a while back there was a documentary about guy who went undercover with the Chelsea Headhunters. He even got a Chelsea tattoo as part of the operation.

  • @chrisb6296
    @chrisb6296 Před rokem +2

    I found his book hard to believe - not to say he was lying. Good interview

  • @JonD_44
    @JonD_44 Před rokem +9

    If you haven't already read his book called 'Running with the firm'. Absolutely mental story!

  • @MarriedToTheKGB
    @MarriedToTheKGB Před rokem +4

    I wonder if this man was somewhat the inspiration to the film ID where undercover police infiltrate a south London football club called Shadwell which is right next to Millwall.

  • @drilllord6207
    @drilllord6207 Před rokem +1

    One of the best books I have ever read. Highly recommend it

  • @mr.miller5041
    @mr.miller5041 Před rokem

    Great interview...

  • @monkeyx17
    @monkeyx17 Před rokem +12

    They should give hooligans a criminal record and ban them for any form of violence in the stadium

    • @Del-Blanco-Diablo
      @Del-Blanco-Diablo Před rokem +3

      Are you being sarcastic or something.

    • @blludoguk
      @blludoguk Před rokem

      violoence in the stadium IS banned anyway

    • @blah4306
      @blah4306 Před rokem

      @@blludoguk unless you're a player then it's ok to have a jolly on the pitch and not get a 3 year banning order!!! I could never work that one out lol

  • @jackgower3606
    @jackgower3606 Před rokem +168

    Football hooligans are just men who haven’t grown up. If you want a fight get into a boxing ring or the cage. Honestly it’s so cringe worthy and childish. Seen games ruined for children because of absolute idiots outside the ground wanting a ‘scrap’. Sentences need to be made harsher for this shit, maybe then these people will grow up and who knows, might get a job.

    • @alexblades1889
      @alexblades1889 Před rokem +9

      Blah blah blah

    • @TheBlackPrince447
      @TheBlackPrince447 Před rokem +11

      I agree with u on a lot of what u say but every football lad hooligan i know they all work, most in high paying jobs, one guy i know who was a big hooligan in his younger days is a self made millionaire.

    • @I_Don_t_want_a_handle
      @I_Don_t_want_a_handle Před rokem +18

      @@TheBlackPrince447 Football ain't cheap. You cannot go to an away game if you are on benefits, never mind a home one.

    • @TheBlackPrince447
      @TheBlackPrince447 Před rokem +2

      @@I_Don_t_want_a_handle Yeah, ticket and day out even at home looking at £150 easy.

    • @seltonk5136
      @seltonk5136 Před rokem +7

      This is off topic but what is the best Chewbacca Mom leotard?

  • @davidmcgrath8131
    @davidmcgrath8131 Před rokem

    The film ID is a must watch from his description the film must be based on this guy's experience.

  • @porridgeable
    @porridgeable Před rokem

    Fascinating interview. I'd like to know what he did next.

  • @AndrewG1989
    @AndrewG1989 Před rokem +3

    At least he has admitted that he once was a undercover football hooligan. Most fans have changed but others haven’t and still cause trouble no matter where they go. I’m a football fan but I don’t go out and cause trouble. And I’ve been to many games where there has been good atmosphere.

    • @monkeytennis8861
      @monkeytennis8861 Před rokem +5

      What are you on about?

    • @anonfalco7880
      @anonfalco7880 Před rokem

      'At least he admitted' is the wrong way to put it. He literally wasn't a football hooligan, he was undercover to try and get real hooligans done

    • @phpART
      @phpART Před rokem +1

      undercover means something else 😅

  • @cosmicmusicreynolds3266
    @cosmicmusicreynolds3266 Před rokem +3

    this officer is what makes britain safe. i hope we all appreciate his work and others who do it

  • @grahamblack1961
    @grahamblack1961 Před rokem +1

    Fascinating stuff, what an amazing guy.

  • @Mokum1961
    @Mokum1961 Před rokem

    His book is amazing. Good read.

  • @Lupinicus1664
    @Lupinicus1664 Před rokem +39

    Hooligans in the 70s were totally amoral and would have a go at anyone if they looked at them funny. For a good twenty years the firms seem to have been much better organised and tend to leave 'civilians' alone, preferring to arrange fights over mobiles and keep away from prying eyes and police video.

    • @Takhar7
      @Takhar7 Před rokem +2

      Which is the way it should be.

    • @NH-bz9jv
      @NH-bz9jv Před rokem

      Immoral. Ffs🙄

    • @Lupinicus1664
      @Lupinicus1664 Před rokem

      @@NH-bz9jv no amoral, look it up

    • @NH-bz9jv
      @NH-bz9jv Před rokem

      @@Lupinicus1664 no need, I know exactly what amoral means son, but immoral is more relevant😘

  • @allotmental.
    @allotmental. Před rokem +4

    The police making things up, I cannot believe it! 😂

  • @lambshanks8988
    @lambshanks8988 Před rokem

    This sounds like the movie I.D specially the bit where they go into the pub in the day to get to know the bar staff for a few months before going in on the evening

  • @tonysoprano2912
    @tonysoprano2912 Před rokem

    Just finished the book great read 👍

  • @leev211
    @leev211 Před rokem +4

    I thought “this guy is reading the script for I.D.” . Then the description tells me the guy not only wrote the script but lived it.
    I.D. (1995) an awesome watch for anyone who thought this was an awesome interview.

  • @PillowTalksGaming
    @PillowTalksGaming Před rokem +9

    This chap is now involved in the property industry in the South Coast and has done very well for himself. He's incredibly well respected and an all round top bloke. I've heard his stories before but not in this much detail.

  • @marksmith9230
    @marksmith9230 Před rokem +1

    John and Trevor painting and decorating. Fucking love you gumbo

  • @sifka1607
    @sifka1607 Před rokem

    What an incredibly interesting story! And those hooligans are societal cancer. The world deserves better!

  • @senianns9522
    @senianns9522 Před rokem +11

    I was on the London Underground in the late 60's waiting for a train when I heard a commotion of noise along the platform. It was Chelsea fans just running along and kicking, punching everyone on the way! As I realized what was happening two Chelsea 'fans' swung at me! I caught hold of one and the other ran off, the one I held onto just couldn't get away fast enough! He wouldn't stand for a 'one on one' with me! Cowards--the lot of them!

    • @monkeytennis8861
      @monkeytennis8861 Před rokem +3

      Ooo, you're 'ard

    • @Doggomorph
      @Doggomorph Před rokem

      Niceeee can you tell me more about football at Chelsea back then and of course you watched George Best implode as well right and united relegation

    • @senianns9522
      @senianns9522 Před rokem +1

      @@Doggomorph Saw George Best score at Highbury! Great player! Chelsea weren't rated much, few good players, Charlie Cooke , Peter Osgood . They had their share of shitty fans, the ones that ran away!

    • @richardevans7035
      @richardevans7035 Před rokem +2

      I remember my late grandad loved football and didn't support anyone, when utd smashed Chelsea in the cup final in 94 he said good and I asked why and he said Chelsea have always been a horrible little football club

  • @firemantim9601
    @firemantim9601 Před rokem +3

    "You think you're Shadwell then do ya?" "I f*&#king love you Gumbo!" This guy is ID

  • @toptraps5289
    @toptraps5289 Před rokem +2

    Terraces were just full of undercover police scrapping each other 😂

  • @brianbrown8845
    @brianbrown8845 Před rokem

    Reminds me of the film I.D the walking over to the Milwall fans, the befreindsing the bar staff then the going down to where they worked

  • @redeyeman06
    @redeyeman06 Před rokem +6

    The dad of one of my best friends growing up was an undercover football hooligan in Liverpool. I won't say the name but he ended up getting framed by Merseyside police for something and then beat them in court for hundreds of thousands/millions of £'s and proved that they framed him but it was all just swept under the rug by Merseyside police (obviously). You can search all of this but it might be quite well hidden.

    • @NH-bz9jv
      @NH-bz9jv Před rokem +3

      My Dad was an astronaut🙄😂😂😂

    • @deniseelsworth7816
      @deniseelsworth7816 Před rokem

      @@NH-bz9jv shame he didn't get lost in space before he produced you 🤪

    • @NH-bz9jv
      @NH-bz9jv Před rokem

      @@deniseelsworth7816 your mum loves me😘

    • @noeledmonds12
      @noeledmonds12 Před rokem

      My dads best friends uncle

    • @notmenotme614
      @notmenotme614 Před rokem

      @@NH-bz9jv My Dad was Spartacus

  • @superflyjimmysnucka9068
    @superflyjimmysnucka9068 Před rokem +5

    I bet this geeza had the time of his life! Made some good friends and then had to bubble them all up!

  • @bradleytaylor1846
    @bradleytaylor1846 Před rokem

    Need a film of this guys life

  • @stebic7125
    @stebic7125 Před rokem +1

    Great to see you reported the Hillsborough disaster correctly

    • @reddishtykes
      @reddishtykes Před rokem

      The middle entrance to Leppings Lane was defended by a line of bobbies that had served two years earlier in the Miners Strike at Cortonwood and Orgreave. They were swept aside by the late arrivals. RIP To two of them, Bob and Bernard. The terraces were packed with Liverpool fans from all over the country. The late arrivals were Scousers..... The Establishment did to S Yorkshire Police what they did to retired soldiers that had served in Northern Ireland. Hung out to dry. RIP Also my dad (PC 1439 1958-1990)