A former Bradford City hooligan thought he was going to be killed by a firm he says 'you probably haven't heard about'.
During the 1980s and beyond, when hooliganism and violence was rife in English football, the 'Ointment' was one of the many firms that roamed the country.
One of the members of the firm, Daniel Wright, wrote a 2025 book titled 'Northern Monkeys' which largely delves into the city of Bradford's wider culture, but also provides a fictional take on some elements of football's hooliganism culture - based on his own experiences - as well.
Wright was twice sentenced to jail in 2008 and 2016, but was released in 2017 and set about reforming himself.
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The 41-year-old would subsequently win £1 million on the EuroMillions, telling the Daily Mail that he was a 'lucky b*****d' and would 'probably agree' with those that would say he didn't deserve it.
That win allowed Wright the opportunity to write his book - the first of six he has planned, as per The Telegraph & Argus.
He appeared on the 'Anything Goes' podcast, hosted by James English, in November, and recalled one particularly terrifying incident from his time as a football hooligan.
Wright said that the only rule in place during fights was to 'not run', although admitted that there were occasions when his firm were outnumbered and chased through the streets.
"I remember once, we got chased down London by a firm you probably haven't heard of," he recalled. "Brentford.
"There weren't many of us, and there were f***ing loads of them that time.
"It was a bit my fault because I didn't think they had a firm, so it taught me a lesson that day.
"But we ended up fighting with them, and one of the lads, Gracie, got stuck right in, ended up right on his a**e.
"So I've whacked the kid who ended up on his a**e. I'll be honest, [he] didn't even move.
"He chinned me, sent me over this car... I'd have been on my a**e, but I rolled over this car, and you know everyone's gone, so I've run up this road.
"I've gone round the corner, there's like a little corner shop in there. So I've gone in the corner shop.
"It was still when there were glass milk bottles, so I've grabbed two glass milk bottles and hid behind this fridge.
"I can hear them all outside going, 'Where's that fat northern w***er gone?' And I'm thinking, 'F***ing hell, I'm gonna die here'.
"But it's the buzz, innit? It's a proper buzz."
Topics: Football
Ryan Smart