The author, Clarence Rook, claimed to have identified the word's origins in the deeds of a south-London-based Irish criminal called 'Patrick Hooligan'. A doorman with 'an exuberance of lawlessness', this probably fictional character was said to have died in prison after beating a policeman to death. His followers, 'the Hooligans', supposedly lived 'within a stone's throw of Lambeth Walk' and were described as 'sturdy young villains, who start with a grievance against society, and are determined to get their own back'. Be that as it may, 'supporting' Millwall became the main outlet for my anti-social urges. Being bad brings joy to those at war with 'normal' society. But being bad is never enough. You want to be the baddest. The ultimate baddies are Nazis. But high up there in the badness charts - back then, at least - sat the hooligans of Millwall FC, the 'Bushwhackers'. Their arch-rivals from West Ham United FC, the 'Inter City Firm', vied with them for top dishonours. In November 1987, Millwall drew West Ham ('the Hammers') in one of the early rounds of what used to be known as the League Cup.
