Films about Firms: The Best Football Hooliganism Films
The Top 4 Films About Football Hooliganism
Football inspires passion, with fans taking pride in supporting their club and country.
However, what happens when that passion spills over to something darker?
Find out in our article all about the 4 greatest football hooligan films - including a Danny Dyer classic full of classic soundbytes.
A scene from ‘Green Street Hooligans’, a classic football hooliganism film starring Charlie Hunnam & Elijah Wood. Also known as Jax and Frodo!
A minority can become violent and destructive when it comes to football, leading to what some call “Football Hooliganism”.
“Hooliganism” is a term broadly used in football to describe disorderly, aggressive and often violent behaviour perpetrated by spectators at sporting events.
In football, this was rife during the 1970s and 80s, as incidents between fans escalated, sometimes due to economic hardships, tribalism and local rivalries.
It is all too common for the hatred between two rival fanbases to boil over and lead to far more serious scenes.
Whether you’re intrigued about the history of it all, you want to know what it looked like back in the day or you’re looking to learn about football’s dark history - this list will explore some of the best football hooliganism films to watch.
‘The Football Factory’ (2004)
Released in the UK on 14 May 2004
Starring Danny Dyer, Tamer Hassan, Frank Harper and Neil Maskell
Loosely based on a book of the same name by John King
‘The Football Factory’, filmed in the style of a documentary, follows the life of a Chelsea football hooligan, living for violence, sex, drugs and alcohol.
The 2004 film, loosely based on the novel of the same name by John King, watches Tommy Johnson, played by Danny Dyer, and his friends, as their lives unfold as hot-tempered, impulsive and violent football fans.
The movie offers a gritty and visceral portrayal of football hooliganism in the United Kingdom, showcasing the dark and destructive side of fandom.
Rather than glamorise the actions of the individuals, it delivers a harsh reality and the serious implications of hooliganism in sports.
Tommy, a middle-class young man living in London, is a member of a hooligan firm associated with Chelsea FC.
Throughout the film, his day-to-day life is shown, with Tommy eventually having second thoughts about his lifestyle, thinking more about his future life with his girlfriend.
‘The Football Factory’ provides a thought-provoking exploration of the motivations and consequences of hooliganism, while also shedding light on the social and cultural factors that contribute to its existence.
Depicting the adrenaline-fueled confrontations, excessive drinking and the sense of camaraderie within the firm, this football film is definitely one to add to your list.
‘Green Street Hooligans’ (2005)
Released on 9 September 2005
Starring Elijah Wood and Charlie Hunnam
Focuses on West Ham hooliganism
‘Green Street Hooligans’ tells the story of an American college student, Matt Buckner, who finds himself immersed in the world of English football hooliganism.
After being wrongly expelled from Harvard University, Matt travels to London to stay with his sister and her husband.
Through chance, Matt become acquainted with a charismatic and influential member of a West Ham United football firm, known as the Green Street Elite.
He quickly becomes immersed in the group, finding the firm increasingly fascinating and experiencing violent clashes with rival firms.
The film explores themes of identity, belonging and the lure of tribalism, delving into the motivations and psychological aspects of hooliganism.
It questions the notion of violence as a form of self-expression and social belonging.
Although the film does question the dark side of football, it does also highlight the bonds formed within the groups and the complexities of human relationships.
‘Cass’ (2008)
Based on a true story
Released in the UK on 1 August 2008
Starring Nonso Anozie, Natalie Press and Reece Allen
‘Cass’ is a 2008 British drama, loosely based on the true story of Cass Pennant, a former football hooligan and influential figure in the hooligan subculture.
Facing racial prejudice and a challenging environment from a very young age, Cass is drawn to the world of football and joins the firm associated with West Ham United, known as the Inter City Firm.
The film explores his experiences in the hooligan world, delving into the fierce rivalries between different firms, the dangerous acts of violence, and the sense of belonging and identity that hooliganism provides.
However, much like in ‘Green Street Hooligans’, Cass begins to question his involvement with the firm and the toll it has taken on his life.
Cass experiences the outcome and consequences of being associated with hooliganism in football, facing prison time, near-death experiences and extremely difficult times.
We watch as Cass contemplates his actions while questioning what it is that he really wants from life. The film is full of fear and heartbreak - and this makes for a difficult watch.
For anyone looking to learn about the repercussions of football hooliganism, look no further than ‘Cass.’
‘I.D.’ (1995)
Released on 15 May 1995
Starring Reece Dinsdale, Warren Clarke, Sean Pertwee and Richard Graham
The film is set in London, but a lot of it was filmed in Rotherham and Sheffield
Last on our list – ‘I.D.’ In this film, directed by Philip Davis, we are shown the story of four policemen going undercover, infiltrating a gang of football hooligans who follow Shadwell Town Football Club.
The mission of rooting out the leaders and bringing them to justice seems like a simple task. However, as the film develops, one of the officers begins to enjoy and love the world of drinking and violence.
‘I.D.’ is a deep dive into the darkest side of football, suggesting how easy it can be to get sucked into the football hooliganism world, and showing the dangers and consequences of being involved.
There seems to be a very fine line when it comes to undercover jobs, and these lines become more and more blurred as the film continues.
An intriguing insight into a troubling topic throughout the history of football, which can even crop up in this day and age, but rarely to the same extent.
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