Culture

Atemlos; Hertha Away at Bremen

Hertha fans banner
~ From Boothferry To Germany ~ 8 Comments

It was a group of Hertha-mad friends that steered me toward the Blau-Weiße Alte Dame, and an Away Day was something of an eventuality. Down the pub you’re always chatting about terrace life, and these boys had criticism for the atmosphere at English stadia, or rather, lack of it. Naturally that was something I disputed quickly. But the story of my second Hertha BSC Away Day made me understand just what exactly they were talking about. This is that story. Continue reading →

War Games: the Caveman Within

Ultras
Quote ~ ~ From Boothferry To Germany ~ 1 Comment

In his essay ‘The Sporting Spirit’ George Orwell famously wrote,

“[Sport] is war minus the shooting”

He was writing in the mid 20th century. Orwell claimed that ‘serious’ sport as he put it was always competitive, ruthless and extremely aggressive thanks to spectators venting their frustration and energy in attempts to help defeat opponents by means of intimidation and foul play. His observation was that the manner of victory was obsolete; maintaining prestige was the only imperative. Fans felt compelled to fight alongside the sportsman to improve chances of victory. An aggressive atmosphere was therefore a natural bi-product of competitive sport.

Orwell’s comparison of Sport to War is appropriate, but not complete in explanation. The simple Continue reading →

Holmesdale Fanatics & The Smoke

Union Berlin Crystal Palace
~ From Boothferry To Germany ~ 8 Comments

Crystal Palace played against 1.FC Union Berlin last summer. Union, a far weaker side on paper, surprisingly won the game 2-0. The day was hot, the beer was popular, and Palace brought a good amount, probably coming close to 400 / 500. Palace fans had been victim to some scraps with Eisern Union ultras the day before, with a flag being stolen, but on the whole it was a peaceful affair.

My real interest was not the game, but the Holmesdale Fanatics. Now, Continue reading →

Happy and Inglorious: Nation of Sore Losers

Union Berlin Crystal Palace
~ From Boothferry To Germany ~ 1 Comment

In their outstanding book ‘Soccernomics’, Simon Kuper & Stefan Szymanski discuss at length England’s journeys through major international Football cups and the distinct absence of success. They have analysed how the narrative of events told by the English develops before, during and after the tournament. Kuper and Szymanski claim the English & their attitudes follow a pattern Continue reading →

On Wembley Way Baht’at

Hull City vs Sheffield Wednesday Wembley
~ From Boothferry To Germany ~ 5 Comments

This year’s Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final will be contested between Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday, 28th of May, in the grandest of all British stadia, Wembley Stadium. While the rivalry of these two teams will be evident, we have to acknowledge the significance of an all-Yorkshire final taking place in London.

The United Kingdom and France share a characteristic that other major European powers do not; in each country one city, the capital, dominates the political, economic and Continue reading →