Connect with us

The English Disease: What attracts people to football violence?

English Disease featured image

GENERAL INTERVIEW

The English Disease: What attracts people to football violence?

Writer Sam Diss and the makers of Football Ramble go undercover to explore what really causes one of the UK’s most violent subcultures – and the dark turn it has taken now.

Sixty years ago, academics considered football hooligans as Marxist freedom fighters. Forty years ago, they were Britain’s folk devil. Twenty years ago, we were told they were gone. But in 2024, we realised they never went anywhere. The media has portrayed football hooligans as some of the most deviant and dangerous characters in British society – but what can we find out if we dig a little deeper beyond the stereotypes and tabloid headlines?

The English Disease is the latest podcast from Stak, and the second documentary series on their new narrative feed, Legacy. This gripping series traces a remarkable movement through British culture, dissecting the legacy of ‘hooliganism’ through fashion, music, football, politics, and policy. From football’s dark old days in the 1980s to the increasing prevalence of the Far Right across football and wider society, the movement has morphed and transformed, but never vanished. This new 6-part series will take listeners straight to the centre of these dark spaces.

Written and presented by football writer Sam Diss, this documentary shares open conversations with former hooligans, some who say they were ‘the best days of their lives’. Others openly voice their regret, including a 21-year-old man who writes from prison charged with manslaughter after being involved in football-related disorder. Sam will take listeners inside some of the biggest online football fan groups, as well as speaking to the leading experts who have devoted their lives to understanding this complex yet primal instinct to fight for something beyond yourself.

The English Disease shines a light on football and British society. Embedded in the UK’s national sport, this is a story of class consciousness, rebellion and adventure turning to embittered violence, tribalism and greed. It is a story of what happens when society disenfranchises its people, dismantles social structures and a void is left – and what fills that void.

We caught up with Sam Diss to talk about the creation of The English Disease and dig a bit deeper into what ‘hooliganism’ means to him.

Hi Sam! So firstly, what made you want to make The English Disease?

I felt there was a gap in how people understood football hooliganism. It’s often portrayed as ‘mindless violence’, which never rang true to me. Growing up on a council estate in the East End, I spent years observing how young men found identity and belonging in places society ignored.

Now, I wanted to explore the story of why these subcultures existed, what they provided, and what they’ve turned into.

Has the media portrayal of football hooliganism evolved at all?

Not enough. You still see the same headlines: lobotomised monsters beyond redemption. Years ago, academics saw hooligans as ‘Marxist freedom fighters,’ but now they’re the soldiers of far-right agitators. The media dismissed that evolution because they were too busy pretending it all went away.

What was your most memorable moment making the podcast?

Seeing just how raw our impulse to connect is. Take Riaz Khan: a second-generation Pakistani-Afghani lad growing up in National Front-era Leicester, who found his way through football violence. He told me he was a respectful Asian boy at home but became a football casual as soon as he stepped out the door. Slowly, the mask started to eat the face. The most fascinating part: He told me he hated the National Front, but at least they stood for something.

What do you hope listeners take away from The English Disease?

I hope people walk away with some empathy. I want this to be a show that doesn’t go for easy routes: I wanted to ask awkward questions and hear uncomfortable answers, in a way that hopefully speaks to people across the political spectrum.

Listen and subscribe to The English Disease wherever you get your podcasts. Episode one and two were released on October 1st.

Listen to The English Disease on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

More in GENERAL INTERVIEW

Pod Bible Newsletter

  • Sign up to our weekly newsletter for podcast news, bonus recommendations and the latest magazine sent straight to your inbox!

Popular Posts

Categories

To Top