Season 03/04 - August

Crystal Palace - Chelsea FC - Friendly game - 02/08/2003

Source: In the Know website - CPFC lad view

Alright lads. Had about 25 youth out today and Chelsea had 40+.
Abit of an exageration on the blowers but that was all sorted.
Story goes a reported 35-40 Chelsea youth in Croydon, Palace were there but got the train to the Manor at around 1-45pm. Palace called it on with CFCat around 2-30 when around 30 youth mainly made up of grizzley's and proper game lads called it on. At that time CFC were at Thornton Heath and Selhusrt. Abit strange but we waited and waited etc.
Came to 2.55 (around kick off) and CFC were no where, so Palace take a walk and try and look for CFC.
This time they are in the ground, but have about 8 bods roaming the streets.
Palace's main mob then p*ss off to the ground, leaving a few grizzley fuckers to go down the pub 6 handed.
Two mins later about 6 CYF come bowling up Holmesdale road going who the f*ck are you and all that, these c*nts were given a few slaps in what turned out to be the only major 'off' of the day, in which a a few CYF lads took a beating which lead to a few arrests and ott old bill on the scene asap!
20 mins later CYF called it on in Croydon.
Palace needed to mob up in which they did (40 handed, youth geezers) wanted it in Croydon, but the CYF lad said that it was mainly made up of olders lads and 5 CYF.
At about 7-7.30pm, 10 Palace youth lads went Croydon for a few pints, only to bump into the Chelsea mob ouside Yates.
Fair play to the Chelsea lads, they must of had at least 30 geezers in there, game as f*ck, but they gave us the respect and called it a day, telling it how it was, which was fair play to them, but that was an opportunity for them to really do palace in, but they allowed it and came in and drunk with us.
All the best CYF, fair play for making a show and respect to the lads that had it!

Hooligans ready for big kick-off - 03/08/2003


Source: The Observer - Denis Campbell

Football is bracing itself for its most violent season in years as many of
Britain's worst hooligans lay plans to attack rival gangs.
Police fear there will be regular outbreaks of trouble at or around games
in the First Division, which kicks off on Saturday and this season will
include 10 teams whose followers are notorious for causing mayhem.

Senior officers believe the hostility between hardcore elements attached to
clubs such as Cardiff City, Millwall, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest and
West Ham United means clashes are inevitable. The Stoke Young Casuals, who
bring up to 600 hooligans to some matches, have already laid plans to
confront West Ham and Sunderland supporters, for example.

Football intelligence specialists in police forces across the country say
the inclusion in the First Division this season of promoted Cardiff City
and relegated West Ham will reopen some bitter rivalries. Both have large
travelling supports which contain known troublemakers.

'Many matches in the First Division will be a real handful this season
because you've got such a volatile mixture of clubs in there now,' said one
experienced anti-hooligan officer. 'Many of the teams' hooligans really
dislike each other. For instance, Millwall and Nottingham Forest fans have
a real history of mutual loathing, even though they're not close
geographical rivals.'

Clubs and police forces are already putting in place measures to try to
prevent trouble. The long history of enmity between West Ham and Millwall
means the first meeting of the two London clubs next month has been moved
from a Saturday 3pm kick-off to a Sunday and given a noon start on police
advice.

Likewise, Watford have rescheduled the visit of Cardiff City from a
Saturday to a Sunday at 1pm. 'We've asked for the kick-off to be brought
forward to reduce the risk of alcohol-related disorder,' said Chief
Inspector Glyn Evans of Hertfordshire Police.

Cardiff's fans are near the top of the league for arrests and banning
orders. But hooliganism declined last year after the club took steps to
curb trouble, including a ticket registration scheme in which only members
can attend away games.

For high-risk away games, such as Stoke City or Bristol City, Cardiff
followers are put on special coaches and taken straight to the stadium,
often under police escort.

Stoke operate a similar scheme, while Millwall last season banned away fans
from coming to fixtures with the greatest risk of trouble.

Figures to be released by the Home Office later this month are expected to
show the number of football-related arrests rising after 10 years of
decline.

Police say this is partly because they now take a more proactive approach
to the problem. Almost 1,800 thugs have been given banning orders
preventing them going to matches, a figure which is set to rise when
policing Minister Hazel Blears announces an extra £5 million for police
forces to boost their anti-hooligan operations.

Hull City - Leeds United - Friendly match - 02/08/2003

Source: Casual Culture

Leeds had two groups of 100 lads each boozing in driffield and goole just outside hull from around midday yesterday. OB sussed us early doors (another story) . we therefore decided to ditch the buses and get the train. we arranged to get trains which got into hull at about 6 so both groups could meet up.

Arriving at Hull about 20 lads slipped the OB and got out and had a bit of a run around but the remaining 150 were rounded up on the station. they kept us there for half an hour before putting us on buses. we thought to the ground but we were actually driven to a compound an the outskirts of hull where we were kept for nearly 2 hours, no water, food, sat on boiling hot buses. had to kick off with police to be allowed off, a lot of people got whacked with truncheons , riot shields etc. at 8pm we were put back on buses (ours was a double decker hull transport bus with windows kicked out) and driven back to Leeds. Full escort- sirens etc all the way back. Arrived back into Leeds about 9.30- 100 OB in full riot gear in Leeds station waiting for us.we thought they were going to follow us round the boozers in Leeds - its hard enough getting in anyway!
Complete overkill but the point of letting you know is that this is the new police tactic. Round you up, piss you off, send you home. You have been warned lads!

Vardar Skopje - CSKA Moscow - 07/08/2003

Source: B92

CSKA Moscow fans, on the left, violently attacked locals fans, on the right, during this Champion's League qualification game.

Karsyiaka - Goztepe - Friendly game - 06/08/2003

Source: Reuters

One killed, 50 injured in Turk trouble

One man was killed and 50 were injured when rival supporters clashed at a soccer match in the western Turkish city of Izmir.
The trouble flared at a game billed as the Aegean Friendship Cup between the city's rival second-division clubs, Karsiyaka and Goztepe, on Tuesday.
The Anatolian news agency said a 23-year-old Karsiyaka fan died in hospital after being stabbed. Police detained five people.
Eight police officers were among the 50 injured, the NTV television channel said. A Goztepe fan who was also stabbed was being treated in hospital.
'We will take very hard and strong measures to avoid such saddening events and stop them happening again,' city police chief Halil Tatas was quoted as saying.
Violence is frequent among passionate Turkish fans and police regularly confiscate weapons, ranging from lighters to kebab cleavers.
Two Leeds United soccer fans were murdered in Istanbul three years ago before a UEFA Cup match.
Ahead of the Euro 2004 qualifier against England in Istanbul on October 11, Turkish and British police are working together in a major security exercise to try to prevent a repeat of the crowd trouble when the two sides met in Sunderland in April.
UEFA have threatened England with expulsion from Euro 2004 if their fans are responsible for any more hooliganism.
Last month UEFA fined the Turkish FA about $37,000 after crowd trouble during their June qualifier against Macedonia.

Brigade Sud Nice - 07/08/2003

Source : France Football

Greg B., one of the Brigade Sud Nice's leader could now entered football stadiums.
Some months ago, during a game against Marseille, he was arrested has french police thougt he threw an home-made bomb inside the stand, injured some people. The Court said he was not responsible for this act.

Châteauroux - St-Etienne - 02/08/2003

Source : mail - ASSE fan view

"After the game, we (700 fans) were parked by french CRS on a carpark. CRS were really angry about us. After minutes, things became angry and some of us shocked the gates. CRS used batons to restore order but we threw missiles at them. Magic Fans frontline charged them and policemen have to retreat, using teargas. Policemen charged us back."

Lille OSC - Paris SG - 09/08/2003

Source: mail

No toe-to-toe for this game and good fealing between both sides of lads.
About 40 Parisians lads were there, with some top-boys. A the beginning of the game, scuffles erutped, opposing policemen to Boulogne Boys ultra' group who used firecrackers (banned in french stadiums). Two fans were arrested.

KV Kortrijk - UR Namur - Cup - 10/08/2003

Source: Namur forum

An off was taken prior to the game in a park near the stadium. We arrived with approx 10 NCF + 15 Lille OSC lads + 1 Bruges lad. In front of us, approx 30/35 Kortrijk lads waited for us (including 4-5 Bruges lads, which was not previous...so strange because Lille lads and some Namur lads have good contacts with BCF). We stood our ground in the middle of this park and we saw Red-siders on the other side. After some minutes, they took their road to us...20 meters...everyone wait...we charged them and they stood their ground. Some punches were exchanged. We stood with 3 Lille lads and one NCF in frontline...Others ran back. We are defeated.
At the end of the game, approx 15 locals provoked us. Police forces and stewards restored order.
At the final, one of us was injured...

Italy wants EU stadium ban on hooligans - 11/08/2003

Source : Reuters

Italy wants a European Union-wide ban on hooligans attending soccer matches, according to draft proposals obtained by Reuters.
EU states already share information about hooligans ahead of big matches but Rome, which currently holds the EU presidency, wants to ensure that anyone found guilty of "violent conduct" is banned from soccer stadiums across the 15-nation bloc.
"In some member states, bans from stadiums...play a highly effective preventive role," the draft said. The EU should take steps to introduce a ban with an "international dimension" in all EU member states, it said.
The draft proposals were sent to EU member governments in late July, just before the start of the European soccer season, and are likely to be discussed by EU justice ministers later this year, Italian officials said.
Getting approval for the draft proposals is one of the priorities of the six-month Italian presidency, which is headed by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi - who owns European soccer champions AC Milan.

RSC Anderlecht - Wisla Krakow - 13/08/2003

Source: mail - local lad view

Fo rthis high-risk game we took the road of the city-centre with 4 lads with the aim to have an off with Wisla hools. They were approx 40 and they accepted this off. So, a good toe-to-toe erupted, opposing 20/25 Wisla hools, armed with knives, and approx 40 BCS. Rapidely Polish have to retreat an dosme of them were seriously beaten up. Some arrests were made on both sides.
After the game, 200/250 BCS attacked the Wisla escort but no real contact occured, just little fights on streets. I must noticed than each time, Polish had weapons. During one of these fights, we saw an axe!!!
Finally we were totally disappointed about these Polish.

FC Sarajevo - Smartid Smederovo - 13/08/2003

Source: Reuters

Sarajevo fans injured six policemen, damaged five police cars and stoned the bus of the visiting team Sartid Smederevo after Tuesday's UEFA Cup preliminary round first leg match, police said on Wednesday.
After the match, which finished in a 1-1 draw, Sarajevo supporters fought with police who stopped them attacking a group of about 50 visiting fans from Serbia and Montenegro, said Sarajevo police spokeswoman Ljiljana Sakic.
'(The) injuries are not serious. They also damaged five police cars,' she said.
The fans stoned the bus carrying Sartid's players and officials after it left the Kosevo Olympic stadium but no one was injured in that incident, added Sakic.
More than 25 people were injured a year ago after a friendly at the same venue between Bosnia and the former Yugoslavia, the first match between the teams in a city that was besieged by Yugoslav-backed Serbs in the 1992-95 war in Bosnia.

Toon hopeful of less Partizan Belgrade - 09/08/2003

Source : teamtalk

Newcastle fans travelling to Serbia next week have been assured they can do so safely.
While Sir Bobby Robson's players are certain to receive a hostile welcome when they step on to the pitch to face Partizan Belgrade, their supporters should have nothing to fear despite the reputation of their hosts.
United last played in the city five years ago when they were knocked out of the European Cup Winners Cup in an intimidating atmosphere.
But after a spate of unsavoury incidents surrounding sporting events, the Serbian parliament recently passed stringent new laws in an attempt to deal with the problem.
"Partizan's first game since the new law was passed last month was the Champions League qualifier with Djurgarden and there was a full house of 32,000," said leading Belgrade journalist Vladimir Roth.
"But because of the new laws, there was not one single incident of violence and the behaviour of the fans was impeccable."

New Fears Of Football Violence - 09/08/2003


Source : Skynews

As the new football season kicks off, police are warning of an increase in hooliganism in the game.They say arrests are rising, and they believe that hardcore gangs are ready to cause trouble.
Some observers are predicting this season will be the most violent for years.
One of the main problems is that several clubs with the worst disciplinary records will meet in Division One this season.
They include Cardiff, who won promotion from Division Two, and Millwall from southeast London.
There are fears of violent clashes between the rival groups of supporters.
Police have already insisted that some matches are rescheduled to avoid alcohol-related problems.
The increase in violence is despite a concerted campaign by the football authorities to rid the terraces of loutish behaviour.

Potters winning fight against hooliganism - 06/08/2003


Source : Teamtalk

Stoke believe they are winning the fight against elements of hooliganism ahead of the new season.
More than 4,000 City fans have applied to the True Supporters card scheme, which was introduced in February, and vets fans' criminal records before allowing them to purchase tickets for away games.
The scheme is already seeing a positive effect, with Derbyshire police happy to allow fans to travel to and from Saturday's opener against Derby at Pride Park as they wish.
The positive build-up to the game is in stark contrast to the corresponding fixture last season, which saw strict transport controls imposed on away fans and an early kick-off amid fears of potential violence.
"Those who go can look forward to travelling as they wish and watching the game in a proper sporting atmosphere without intimidation or the threat of violence," said City's chief executive Jonathan Fuller.
"We are absolutely determined to win our fight against the hooligan minority who have followed the club around the country in the past and tarnished our image and the True Supporters Card is helping us to do that."

Football and music unite - 11/08/2003

Source : UEFA site

More than 30 teams from all over Poland have taken part in a football tournament under the banner 'Let's Kick Racism Out Of The Stadiums'.

Anti-racist message

This year's event, organised by the anti-racist Never Again association at the Przystanek Woodstock rock festival, was among the largest music events in the world, with more than 300,000 participants in Zary, Poland. Thanks to Never Again, the anti-racist message was strongly present throughout the event. Never Again is the Polish body working together with the pan-European Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network, a close partner of UEFA in the campaign to eliminate racism from football.

Friendly match

In addition to the tournament, a special friendly match was played between a team from the local authorities of Zary and the multi-ethnic Przystanek Woodstock team. The event was held to demonstrate resistance against racism, xenophobia and violence present at numerous football stadiums in Poland.

Polish FA contribution

The Never Again association was assisted by the local government of Zary, the ecological-cultural association Gaia and Dospel Katowice football club, which provided prizes and football shirts for the winners. The Polish Football Federation (PZPN) also supplied gifts for those taking part.

Information booths

The Never Again association ran anti-fascist information booths in the festival area which proved popular throughout the event. Also, signatures were collected under a petition, initiated the previous year, calling on Poland's football authorities to take action against racism in stadiums.

Joint publication

Earlier this month, a joint publication of Never Again and the PZPN was presented at a Warsaw conference which brought together representatives of all the first and second division clubs in Poland. The joint publication was designed to help football officials identify and remove racist and neo-fascist symbols appearing in stadiums.

Anti-racist policies

A Never Again representative briefed officials about the issue of racism in stadiums. "We are happy to see the Polish FA involved in the struggle against racism," said Marcin Kornak, chairman of Never Again. "It is the beginning of the implementation of anti-racist policies urged by FIFA and UEFA."

Dynamo Kiev - Dinamo Zagreb - 13/08/2003

Source: On the March

Seventy supporters from Zagreb were deported from Ukraine capital, because a fight in a night club. Several injured.

Haka - Hajduk Split - 12/08/2003

Source: Reuters

Hajduk Split fans expressed their anger at the team's recent form by digging graves for the players in the club's pitch, state radio reported on Wednesday.
The supporters climbed over the fence surrounding Hajduk's stadium in the southern Adriatic city of Split on Tuesday, avoiding security cameras.
After a surprise 4-1 home loss in a league game against promoted Inker last week, Hajduk lost 2-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Cup third qualifying round against Finland's Haka in Valkeakoski on Tuesday.
Hajduk were runners-up in the championship last season and won the cup. They have won three titles and four cups since Croatia gained independence from former Yugoslavia in 1991.

Aston Villa FC - Coventry City - 11/08/2003

Source: Casual Culture

This is one of the pictures which put two Birmingham police officers in the dock after an Aston Villa match ended in violence.

The officers lashed out at Villa fans as trouble flared after a derby clash with arch rivals Coventry City.

The officers were yesterday cleared of violent disorder charges by a jury.

A third officer, who rained a series of blows on the suspected hooligan for more than 20 seconds, has never been identified. PC Peter Harrison sobbed as a jury at Warwick Crown Court announced its not guilty verdict.

Moments later he was hugged by PC Sean Roberts when he was also cleared.

Blackpool, last night - 15/08/2003

Source: Nott Forest lads forum

"Just been phoned by one of me mates who is on a stag weekend in Blackpool about 30 of em Mansfield & Forest and last night they bumped into around 50 taffs and in his words some of the worst fighting he has ever seen followed inc,bottling,glassings a few have been hospitalised some have cleared off home to keep out of o.b.'s way .He does'nt know if they were Cardiff or what just that they were Welsh. "

Sunderland - Millwall FC - 16/08/2003

Source: Sunderland forum - local lad view

first i have to give full respect to milwall. they were game as fuck especially after the match. they are by far the best firm to visit the SOL. But i fail to see how we got done exactly. as far as i saw milwall lads got kept behind bit, did their singing scaring alot of shirts then we our lads grouped up both sides charged but OB were well on top and milwall got forced back into the OB lines after a few slaps dished out by both sides. OB cleared the roads and most fucked off to the avenue or to the town centre. there are rumours that we charged em at st.peters metro stop so we may have been done there if it happened but from what i saw neither firm ran or got done.

West Bromwich Albion - FC Burnley - 16/08/2003

Source: Burnley forum

It seems several fights occured in the city-centre...

Montpellier Herault - Lyon - 16/08/2003

Source: Le Midi Libre + report from a MHSC MHSC + mail (MHSC fan)

Riots in front of the stadium: one hour before kick-off, a short but violent fight opposed local fans to the ones from Lyon. As everything was calm, about 30 'Lugdunum' group members (Lyon) provoked local fans who were working at their banners. The fight started and firecrackers were threw at eachother. Police forces restored order, using teargas.
*************************************************************
Prior to the game, about 30 Lyon fans escaped from their escort and arrived in front of rous terrace. About the 30 motivated locals were charged by visitors but locals attacked them who have to retreat. Police forces arrived and restored order. Respect to Lyon fans who tried to make something interesting but who were defeateed by locals who stood their ground. Many firecrackers were exchanged.
*************************************************************
I would like to add that some lyon fans were injured and these ones used firecrackers, belts etc...During the game, a small fight erupted in the Lyon end.
Concerning the 'Midi Libre' stuff, it must be noticed Lyon fans were not from the 'Lugdunum' group but independants and some ultras (Nucleos??)

FC Metz - Paris SG - 16/08/2003

Source: forum - PSG fan + newspapers

IMPORTANT: 1st report but we are waiting for a 100% sure one...

"About 50 Auteuil ultras attacked the local pub were approx 25 Metz fans were spotted. These ones went out with iron bars...
Some minutes later, in front of the same pub, the toe-toe-toe opposing locals to PSG independants/Boulogne Boys/Karsud was not so interesting nothing erupted.
Some meters far away, about 15 Boulogne Boys/independants attacked locals and a good fight took place.
Articles de presse

It's 5am Paris is angry

It's well know fans are never sleeping. The 1st PSG ultras coach arrived in Metz at 5am and tagged the Generation Grenat meeting-point.

At 5am, approx 60 parisians Tigris Mystic went out of their coach, escaped from the police escort. They took the road of the Generation Grenat meeting point, tagged their walls. Local stewards made an intervention using dogs. Some Nancy ultras are also present...
Some minutes later, Tigris Mystic came back and threw stones at stewards. Some of them were injured. Police forces restored order. A parisian fan is arrested.
Kacky Vencel, the security chief said: ' This 5am coach was the 1st of 6 PSG fans coaches. Arriving at this time, this coach were not spotted by police forces on the motor-way. Other coaches were spotted at this place and drove back to the stadium. When they were there, fans could took the road to the city-centre. But 200 french CRS were inside the city, for a total of 700 visitors.
Why so many violences? Some years ago, Metz fans - who were not from the Generation Grenat group - have stolen up a PSG banner.

Source : L'Est Republicain

Six PSG fans arrested before the Metz game

Six PSG fans were arrested before the game opposing their team to FC Metz. One of these 6 appeared in front of a local Court. Judges said he threw a stone to a steward.

Source: AFP


PSG lads

Dynamo Moscow - Spartak Moscow - 17/08/2003

Source: Reuters

Dynamo Moscow edged city rivals Spartak 3-2 in a heated Russian premier league derby that was marred by clashes between rival fans and police on Sunday.
Before the game fans clashed with police with several people taken to hospital.