Football Lads Against Fascism

[juice_terry]

Copies of Levelling The Score are still available from Calton Books. There will be copies available at The Anarchist Book Fair on Saturday and available to buy from local FLAF groups in Scotland, Wales, North East, NW, Yorkshire, Bristol, Birmingham, Notts, and London.

 

[juice_terry]

If anyone in London & The South East are wanting a copy drop me a message.

 

[pbsmooth]

Just saw a clip of PSG lads walking through Newcastle. The comments were of course all about the fans "not being French" and "looks like Calais boat people" etc. Depressing.

 

[Magnus McGinty]

My two arrived. Had a brief flick through to political bits. Football is a bit over my head.
Pun unintended.

 

[Fallon]

Has anyone got their copy yet? Initial thoughts, feedback?

 

[TopCat]

Has anyone got their copy yet? Initial thoughts, feedback?

I liked it a lot. Read it in one go. Well produced. Decent printing. An interesting mix of articles. Well paced.

 

[steeplejack]

Ordered mine recently, looking forward to having a read when it comes!

 

[Fallon]

IMPORTANT

On Tuesday 17th October a veteran anti fascist and FLAF supporter attended the local Clapton derby. He had with him the London FLAF banner which was on display during the game. He describes what happened next.

Before the game I had been made aware that some people were not happy with FLAF being at the game. However the friend from Clapton that had invited us assured us he had spoken to those people and was told nothing would happen. An offer by the FLAF member and Clapton members supportive of FLAF to discuss any issues appeared to have been accepted.

At half time a small group of masked Clapton CFC supporters came to where the banner was, and from among that group one individual started heckling and abusing me whilst another rather large gent attempted to intimidate me to remove our banner. They refused to listen to anything I had to say and the smaller individual then attempted to try and take the FLAF banner. I resisted this attempt and a tussle ensued with some punches thrown which ended up on the pitch. The bigger individual had me in a head lock before security intervened and we were removed from the ground. The banner was secured by two friends.

The fact that some alleged supporters at Clapton CFC have seen fit to launch an unprovoked and violent attack on a veteran anti fascist, who has served time in prison for antifa actions, is an absolute disgrace. Word of this has already reached anti fascists veterans, and we have been contacted by a number of ex AFA / Antifa /Red Action people wishing him well and asking if there is anything they can do.

We are aware that Clapton are looking into this matter and will not comment further on what they do. We have already been given names of a number of people allegedly involved in this cowardly attack by people from the Clapton community who were also shocked by what they witnessed.

So what we say to the people behind this cowardly act is this. If you have an issue with FLAF, and you want to resolve this matter, step forward and sort it out, amicably or otherwise.

We are sorry the club has been dragged into this incident. It was not our intention to be confrontational in any shape or form. Sadly the people who who did instigate this have little regard for Clapton CFC or it’s rules.

- FLAF

 

[Magnus McGinty]

They’re fucking clueless.

 

[Magnus McGinty]

This thread probably needs updating:

https://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/clapton-fc-celtic-bhoys-vs-locals-e15-supporters-etc-part-2.333853/

Given the similar context.

 

[ddraig]

This thread probably needs updating:

https://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/clapton-fc-celtic-bhoys-vs-locals-e15-supporters-etc-part-2.333853/

Given the similar context.

it's closed

 

[Magnus McGinty]

it's closed

Oh so it is. Apologies.

 

[Pilgrim100]

Has anyone got their copy yet? Initial thoughts, feedback?

It was OK. Some interesting articles.

Not sure I like the format, found it quite small and hard to read.

Would have left out the casual/dresser stuff, that era is over and everything that can be written, has been.

 

[WhyLikeThis]

Why the beef with FLAF?

 

[hitmouse]

Has anyone got their copy yet? Initial thoughts, feedback?

I bought a copy to send in to a comrade who's in prison, I wasn't that confident of it reaching him cos I suspected it might get censored on some grounds or other, but got a letter back today saying "What an amazing book. As a footie fanatic & proud anti-fascist, who has had access to like-minded people severely limited, shit like this is so reaffirming... parts of it are so great I got teary-eyed. When you have these things denied to you, it can feel so isolating... but to have it returned? Jesus Mary & Joseph, the joy is real... to see the word "antifa" said proudly, defiantly, surreal... there were even 2 FCUM flags featuring antifa symbols! My heart soars! Thank you so much."
Let me know if you'd like a photo of the relevant bit of the letter and I can pm it to you or something.

Still not actually read it myself, mind.

 

[steeplejack]

I thought Levelling the Score was a very decent effort and there were many interesting articles in it. Particularly enjoyed the articles on Garibaldi / the Red shirt, and the report of FC United v Clapton FC. It's great also to have the chance to hear about anti-fascist initiatives I didn't know about (Red Flare).

Would agree with the comment above that having it in Wee Red Book size makes it a bit of a struggle for the codger demographic to read everything. Probably it's something to do with cost, or with being able to stuff it in a top pocket, or maybe I should finally raise the white flag in a losing battle with needing glasses. But would be nice to have a bigger A5 format next time.

What I like most is that the publication has some guts. Magazines like Nutmeg are enjoyable but there's more than a whiff of cloying middle classness about them which is slightly offputting.

Looking forward to further issues and well done to all the writers and to the team that put it together- producing one of these things is an awful lot of hard and sometimes very boring work. But the look on people's faces and their feedback is always worth it in the end.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

I really like the size of it and my guess is the whole point is passing it on to mates / young people / whoever.

Cover design is great - a really. good mix of articles too. Something for everyone.

I know fuck all about football but still enjoyed it. So am clueless about how it will go down with the intended audience.

I wondered if it could do with a bit of the old “quiet conversation with the pavement” of yesteryear. but maybe I’m wildly off the mark there. There’s been a few accounts of FLAF groups out and about we’ve linked to here that could have worked iirc.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

I wondered if it could do with a bit of the old “quiet conversation with the pavement” of yesteryear. but maybe I’m wildly off the mark there. There’s been a few accounts of FLAF groups out and about we’ve linked to here that could have worked iirc.

Actually I missed the piece at the end by Maria Scheisshaus which is basically a fun compilation of demo related bumfoolery by the fash. SORTED.

 

[steeplejack]

Actually I missed the piece at the end by Maria Scheisshaus which is basically a fun compilation of demo related bumfoolery by the fash. SORTED.

The best of all time of this genre was definitely Beating the Fascists which laced very serious political history and analysis with gentle Ealing comedy humour in descriptions of fascists being hit; "resistance ended when twelve heavy dinner plates were dropped on his head", "a right hook planted him in the geraniums", etc

 

[Fozzie Bear]

I don't want to seem petty, but there is what I think is a proof reading error in the last para on p121. "Does Putin's regime..." is probably meant to be "Does Zelenskyy's regime..."?

I wouldn't usually bother to mention things like that, but it made the following sentences appear contradictory and confused me.

(No big deal - I have made far more grievous mistakes in things I've published. And it might be good to know that if a reprint or online version is happening maybe)

 

[Pilgrim100]

Regarding FLAF in general, would I be correct in saying it has never really taken off at any club? I remember the initial social media promotion 4/5 years ago but I never seen them properly have a presence at any club.

Also, there is a lot of aggression in their Twitter interactions which I don't think does them any favours.

 

[Magnus McGinty]

It was OK. Some interesting articles.

Not sure I like the format, found it quite small and hard to read.

Would have left out the casual/dresser stuff, that era is over and everything that can be written, has been.

You have two posts on here and both about FLAF. So why not set out your stall and tell us all about your historical beef.

 

[Pickman's model]

It was OK. Some interesting articles.

Not sure I like the format, found it quite small and hard to read.

Would have left out the casual/dresser stuff, that era is over and everything that can be written, has been.

No it hasn't

 

[Pickman's model]

Regarding FLAF in general, would I be correct in saying it has never really taken off at any club? I remember the initial social media promotion 4/5 years ago but I never seen them properly have a presence at any club.

Also, there is a lot of aggression in their Twitter interactions which I don't think does them any favours.

You'd prefer them to be fluffy and cuddly no doubt. I wonder if the aggression of which you complain is directed at people like you.

 

[Pickman's model]

You have two posts on here and both about FLAF. So why not set out your stall and tell us all about your historical beef.

I think it's fair to say that even if our new pilgrim does follow your suggestion we'd soon see that all that could be written about that beef would be soon said

 

[Magnus McGinty]

Seems odd for someone to seek out this forum, which is more niche than ever given the preference for mainstream social media nowadays, simply to get sniffy about a group offering an alternative pro working class narrative to the far right in football.
I do hope it isn’t some cunt already registered here who has created an alt account to do it. Too cowardly to put it under their usual moniker.

 

[Pilgrim100]

FS. Make a couple of comments and get this reaction.

No beef whatsoever with them, just an interested observer.

Was very interested when I seen them appear on the scene but noted I have seen very little off line from them.

I do wish them well and hope the fanzine continues.

I stand by my comments too about their various Twitter accounts. For a group aiming to promote unity among working class football fans, they don't engage with people in the right manner.

PS I had an active Urban account but long since lost the password so back under a new name. Never a big poster, just like to read.

 

[Magnus McGinty]

And you awoke from your slumber and then…
I think criticism is healthy. But with all that’s going on in the UK and world you chose to criticise this?
The mind boggles.

 

[Pilgrim100]

So FLAF are above any feedback because of the current state of the UK?

I had finished reading the fanzine and had re-registered on Urban. I saw the thread and commented. It's hardly that confusing.

 

[two sheds]

Firky!