Hooligans: 3. Riots and Reputations episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 21, 2025 · 23 MIN

Hooligans: 3. Riots and Reputations

from Gangster · host BBC Radio 5 Live

In the aftermath of the Heysel tragedy, Margaret Thatcher declared war on the hooligans. It was a watershed moment for English football. Tough new laws were called for - and the incident led to English clubs being banned from Europe for 5 years. But there was more trouble on the horizon. The mobs had found a loophole. Friendlies. And in August 1986, that led to a full blown riot on a ferry in the middle of the North Sea.Some of those onboard the ferry that night tell their side of the story. When the law caught up with those involved, it came down hard.Presenter: Tony Bellew Series Producer: Emma Forde Producer: Patrick Kiteley Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Development Producer: Holly Clemens Production Co-ordinator: Ellie Dover Assistant Commissioner: Lorraine Okuefuna & Sarah Green Commissioning Editor: Louise Kattenhorn Editor and Executive Producer: Carl Johnston

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 21, 2025

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Hooligans: 3. Riots and Reputations

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