Origins

I read in a couple  books about the hooligan issue.  One was talking about the early 1900's in between the World Wars, and it said that there wasn't really an issue in England.  Now in Scotland, there seemed to be a serious issue especially between the Celtic and Rangers' supporters.  That is kind of understandable because those teams kind of signify a religious difference in Catholicism and Protestantism.  But there were still a few incidents in England, just not nearly to the levels of the 1980's.  Interestingly , the other book pointed out that the hooligans pretty much stay to themselves, and don't attack those of higher social status or any different way of life.  They just stick to beating up the rival team's firm.  So, in that respect it doesn't really seem like the working class is fighting against the system.  But they hate the police, and try to outwit them, so it does sort of seem like they are fighting against the system.