Police Officer Undercover as Hooligan Would Fight Fans if They Broke Golden Rule

A police officer who went undercover as a football hooligan has revealed the only reason he would engage in a fight with fans.

During the 1980s, violence in football was at an all-time high in the United Kingdom.

Football supporters from England have built up an awful reputation after engaging in several violent incidents.

Then, police officer James Bannon became involved with the London firm, the Millwall Bushwackers.

While appearing on the Channel 4 documentary ‘Italia ‘90: Saving English Football’, Bannon revealed how he managed to get involved in the firm.

He also told The Sun: “We went there for lunchtime all summer, when there was no football on. We got to know the bar staff and the locals so when the football season started in late August, nobody gave us a second look and that gave us credibility.

"The landlord of the pub was one of Millwall’s top boys so we also got to know him, and it moved on from there."

He went on to reveal that although he would 'never' start a fight, he would fight back if he thought a fan was going for him.

Bannon said: "I never incited or started a fight, but I was there to gather evidence against nasty, horrible people who brought violence to football, to take them off the streets and make stadiums safer places for people to go and watch.

"It’s a fine line and undercover policing is not an exact science."

James Bannon went undercover as a football hooligan. Image: Channel 4

He continued: "You are thinking on your feet every second because you have to try and stay within the law, while being convincing at what you are.

"I would never run at somebody and hit them. But if somebody was coming at me who wanted to hit me then, trust me, I’m going to hit them first."

Bannon then spoke about the experience of his first away match at Leeds, which left him fearing for his life.

He said: "There was a massive fight. I was scared for my life. It was my first away match and it was a baptism of fire.

"I got hit, punched and kicked a few times but luckily, never sustained any serious injuries."

He added: "We learned two things from that day - Leeds are pretty tasty and never travel on the football special. After that we drove to away matches."