Steaming in by Colin Ward
First published in 1989, STEAMING IN is now acknowledged as the definitive account of terrace life in the 1970s and '80s. Unvarnished, unflinching, it tells the story of Colin Ward's experiences at Arsenal, Chelsea and England matches, at home and away. From Highbury to Luxembourg, Turin and Istanbul, Ward charts the camaraderie and confrontations, the hatred, the fear -- and the unexpected friendships between rival fans. By turns disturbing, horrifying and hilarious, it is astonishing reading, and draws a vivid picture of numerous colourful terrace characters. Countless words have been bandied about on the subject of football hooliganism by politicians, journalists and sociologists. Now re-issued with a new Preface by the author, STEAMING IN shows us what it was really like, and reminds us just how much football has changed. Controversial and provocative, it has become that rarest of gems -- a classic of football writing.