Hi Mike, How did you get into football and when?

Got into football in the early to mid-’80s, a great time with the old terraces and an atmosphere much better than today, the crowd surging, obscene chanting and old school grounds with floodlights you could see from miles away.

 

What was your first memory of trouble at a football match?

The first real trouble I remember was Torquay vs Wolves on a Saturday nite about 1986. Wolves had both ends of the ground and at halftime converged on the halfway line on the grandstand side and then all invaded the pitch and chased police and fans alike. Hundreds of them.



When did you become a football casual?

I went to college in Torquay in 1986 even though I was a Plymouth fan and met the famous Torquay youth squad there. Well dressed lads and probably the best dressed of the 3 Devon firms up to the early 90’s. Plymouth and Torquay have always been mates since then really and both hate Exeter.

 

Who are your main rivals?

Our main local rivals are Exeter City, big hatred between the two clubs. Some good lads up there but could never match our quality or numbers. The most lively match against them was a recent Johnson’s Paint trophy match on a cold November evening about 2011. We hadn’t played each other for years and the police only had 60 officers out to cover the ground and outside, big mistake lol. 9500 turned up and it was mayhem, lots of Exeter said they were never going to visit home park ever again. Police lost control at times. Great night.

Who have you come unstuck against?

Worst we came unstuck was a bizarre match against Port Vale at home about 94, the club decided that no police would be in attendance that day, another big mistake. At the end of the match, both sides invaded the pitch and it kicked off everywhere. Their whole end virtually came over, scarfers the lot, we were now heavily outnumbered and in the end almost run out the ground. Away, the worst place we came unstuck was Cardiff in 96, only 49 of us went in vans and cars and ended up facing prob 250 soul crew, hardly a window left in the vans on the way home but mutual respect earnt that day.

 

Name 5 firms you rate and why?

Best clubs to regularly bring a mob to Plymouth were the closest clubs. Cardiff, Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Barnsley brought a good mob 94 in the game cup and lastly Pompey home and away.

Name 5 firms you don’t rate and why?

Can’t say there are any bad mobs as anyone has had an off day just as they can a good day. we are the most southern and westerly club in England so a long way for firms to travel but also likewise for us. we leave 4/5 in the morning to arrive most places by 10 am when most are still in bed. we have actually rung people at that time and yes they are still in bed and didn’t expect us that early lol.

You had any battles travelling with England?

Best away trip was Italy away in 1997, England took a massive mob and it was kicking off everywhere before and after the match, most famous for Italian police batten charging the England end in the ground. I always remember some Italian police carrying tiny rifles but you could see the sheer terror in there faces at the time. Walked out the ground after being held in for hours and bumped straight into Alex Ferguson the Man U manager, then watched Carlisle and villa kick the shit out of each other, great days.



What clobber do you wear down the match?

Favourite clothing label of all time is Cp, was always discrete and dead smart, followed by Paul and shark.

 

What was your music scene on your awayday?

Music on away days for our generation was always oasis, blasting out on vans mid-90s onwards. I remember a pub in Exeter put a song on and the whole mob was singing when suddenly the pub erupted and the place was smashed to bits in minutes. cigarettes and alcohol was my favourite.

 

Also, you run a clothing page can you tell us about it?

I’ve always been into my clobber. I think a true football casual has to be well dressed, the complete outfit and be able to carry it off with a bit of swagger. First thing you used to notice was a well-dressed lad. I’ve got an extensive collection myself and was always selling bits I was bored with and buying bits I knew people wanted. I then started selling out the boot of my car, now I’ve moved on to big pub sales in Plymouth, Torquay and Newport in Wales. Planning to expand that to more locations once all this virus crap is over. I also have a Facebook page called Westcountry vintage terrace wear which I had to use more due to lockdown. It’s going ok but I prefer the pub sales as it’s a great social event and meet new faces every time.

Click the link to visit the page.

And lastly, tell us what you enjoyed about being a football casual?

The best bit about being a football casual is the quality of the mates you have acquired over the years, not just your own mob but locally and around the country and on the England scene. all cut from the same cloth, patriotic and loyal to queen and country. had its perks over the years but now sadly a shadow of what it once was and the punishment doesn’t fit the crime. we put Plymouth on the map, not just domestically but on the international scene as well. Respect to all!

 

Thanks for your time Mike and Interview on Awayday Radio, much appreciated.