Bill Buford

When was the last time you had to go to the hospital after a football game? Well, this is a reality for some of the British. Bill Buford's excerpt, Among the Thugs written in an anthropology called The New Kings of Fiction; he personally explores the Manchester's fans unruly ways at football games. Buford became interested in this topic when he heard about another writer that tried and failed in the most embarrassing way. In this story he delved into the life that the Manchester's fans would call normal, but is far from it. He exploits the drunkenness, the vandalism, and abuse that they bring to the British. Although they are united and cooperative with each other, like one would expect a country to be they don't follow rules and are morally wrong.

Before the fans get off of the bus they are drunk and boisterous. It is evidence that they are well known in the British because the British Army is waiting for them as if they are invaders. But the fans are not afraid; instead, they mock the military by putting boxer shorts on their heads. They are ruthless to even the most innocent people. Later on a bus they hang out the window yelling obscenities and throwing bottles to men, women, children and anybody else who may get in the cross fire. The people are afraid of them and try to stay away from them, but it seems as though they thrive on knowing that they have this affect on the people. One of the followers throw a heavy metal object through the window of a innocent pedestrian's vehicle. Buford states, "He had been naughty and he knew it and was pleased about it. He was happy" (194). They were actually enjoying causing others pain. They feel no remorse for the people; they only care about pleasing each other and making themselves known for hurting these people.

They mobb the street causing havoc as a group. It is ironic how a group so unruly could actually come together and function as well as they do. They stick together and actually accomplish their mission, to destroy as much as they could. They use their organization to promote violence and are able to get away by using fear to control others. Buford observed, "Sammy had taken charge of the group--moment by moment giving specific instructions--and was using the little lads to ensure that his commands were being carried out" (188). The group has a leader and are planning out moves as if they were the Army. They moved as if they are actually in combat. He is using little boys, not even in their teens, to keep the riot going. He is instilling in them the motive to keep those absurd acts alive once his generation become old.

Buford shows that the thugs are immoral criminals. They will do anything to get to the games from stealing tickets to spending their last dime. It is no longer about the game to these criminals; they thrive on knowing that they have the power of fear over people. They do not want to abide by anyone rules, but