Blades Business Crew 2: More Tales from One of Britain's Most Notorious Football Gangs by Steve Cowens
With the help of other members of the Crew, Steve recounts stories of turbulent times on the terraces, from the 1960s right through to the present day. He explores how the scene of football violence started at Sheffield United and what it was like to be part of the early years and tells hair-raising stories such as the time acid was thrown at the fans on United's Kop; he speaks of the battles with Hull, Leeds, Cardiff, Spurs, Bristol City, Feyenoord and others - plus, of course, the never-ending war with neighbours Sheffield Wednesday. But this book is not just about the adventures (and misadventures) of the crew. The author offers an insight into the lows as well as the highs of being at the heart of the action. As well as the camaraderie, the battles of wits with the police and the exhilarating toe-to-toe battles with the opposition, the author also examines the flip-side of the firms such as the growing use of weapons in hooligan gangs and the tragedy that unfolded at Heysel. This informative account leaves no stone unturned - some of it may shock you but it is certainly not short on excitement. As Steve himself says: 'Football violence is not big and it's not clever. It's not worth getting into nowadays but you can bet your arse I loved every minute of it and if I could love it all again, I would - with bells on.'