GHQ Magazine Issue 9

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GHQ LIFESTYLE / CRIME / ENTERTAINMENT

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INNOCENT! THE KEVIN LANE

KICKERS STORY THREE KINGS MOB MUSEUM RENDLESHAM FORREST. 80’S CASUALS JEFF TURNER CARLTON LEACH

INTERVIEW WORLD EXCLUSIVE SCOTTISH GANGSTERS KICKED OUT OF AMERICA DURING CAPONE ERA

IRVINE WELSH ON BEGBIE

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KING OF

CONTENT ISSUE 9 - 2020

KICKERS STORY THREE KINGS INSIDE THE MOB MUSEUM RENDLESHAM FOREST INCIDENT IRVINE WELSH ON BEGBIE SCOTTISH GANGSTERS KEVIN LANE INTERVIEW GREEN STREET, DOUGIE BRIMSON 80’S CASUALS JEFF TURNER CARLTON LEACH

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The body, the look, the lifestyle, the gamble, the money, the entertainment, the sports, the cars and of course the women. Welcome aboard and to Gentleman’s Head Quarters. We live in a world that is ever-changing. Success can be measured in different contexts and on any level of what is deemed important, what is found within and how it is delivered. That is exactly what GHQ is! Each and every issue, GHQ will deliver a full content, no holds barred insight to everything you’d expect for the discerning gentlemen and all others who wish to follow. So tie up your laces, pop your collars and get ready for a nitro-fueled cutting edge delivery of nothing short of the dogs bollocks!

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THE KICKERS STORY

So, Raufest decided to create a shoe that would respect the new generation's dress code. The Kickers ‘style’ and look is recorded to have been inspired by the revolutionary spirit of Parisian students, but also by a poster for the musical ‘Hair’.

When the conception and design was put forward, it was said “the new shoe was very different: the use of nubuck; shapes that looked more like short boots than regular shoes; tough crepe soles made with natural rubber, eyelets, contrast stitching, panels and appliqués all obviously referenced denim.”

Kickers and their success was such that, within one season, Kickers production capacity grew from a few hundred to over 10,000 pairs per month.

Immediately successful in France, then Germany, by 1974, Kickers eventually were selling in over 70 countries!

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Since the start of the footwear brand in 1970, Kickers have gone on to design everything from boots to brogues in their own iconic, unique, style and way.

When Daniel Raufast created a boot specifically designed to wear with jeans; apparently following the French social upheaval and referenced by shoe historians, when in May 1968, the younger generation all went for bell bottom jeans and rainbow-colored shirts. But it is said the same generation found they had no shoes that matched their newfound freedom

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The brand quickly gained iconic status after capturing the imaginations of music and fashion lovers, not only throughout Europe, but also secured an early success in the U.K, when rock ‘n’ roll leaders such as Roger Daltrey, Elton John, and David Bowie wore the now famous shoe.

In a later generation, the boot would further leave a footprint (no pun intended) with the emergence of the 1980’s Acid House and Madchester scene, further fuelling a whole new generation and following. As a testament to the quality and style of Kickers, the brand wasn’t going to be tossed aside for a replacement.

In 1992 it was documented, the leaders of the new Brit Pop music scene Noel Gallagher and Jarvis Cocker brang the Kick Hi boot to the next generation of music lovers and then again in 2002 when the Kick Hi was worn by urban artists such as Ms. Dynamite, So Solid Crew and Rodney P.

Kickers are part of the French working classes wardrobe and despite the ever-changing fashion wants and needs of your ever-demanding consumer, the original design remains close to the French consumer's heart. With their proven durability, known comfort and unisex appearance, Kicker celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2020.

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THREE KINGS DIRECTOR CHATS

Three Kings – Jonny Owen with GHQ

The story of three football managers – Matt Busby, Jock Stein and Bill Shankly – is to be told in this brand-new documentary feature film The film is directed by Welsh producer, actor and writer, Jonny Owen, who has seen huge successes in his career so far, winning the prestigious ‘Gwyn Alf Williams Bafta’ for his brilliant documentary ‘Aberfan’ in 2007, and going on to further his reputation with numerous successful productions and star roles over his active years. A truly inspirational and driven man, that’s for certain.

Three Kings tells a passionate story of three iconic and equally respected football mangers and how they were able to impact the beautiful game in a way not seen before. This is the true account and an incredible story of Matt Busby, Jock Stein and Bill Shankly, born in the central lowlands of Scotland within 30 miles of each other, grew up to become not only lifelong friends and three of the most influential men in football history, but who themselves loved and respected the game as any football fan of the same era.

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The three legendary men were part of football history and part of the what could be said are some of the most legendary clubs in the world – Manchester United, Liverpool and Celtic – they lead their teams to unimaginable success, captivating tens of millions of fans and becoming three of the most famous sporting institutions on the planet. The Three Kings features stunning archive footage from their greatest victories, this story is about more than three men. It is about The Three kings – The makers of modern football.

It was recently said, “Director Jonny Owen’s portrait of these three men is a smart, entertaining take that serves as an affectionate tribute to all of them,” and we’d have to agree!

With their iconic placements as the faces of Manchester United (Matt Busby), Liverpool (Bill Shankly) and Celtic (Jock Stein), they built empires of the clubs and sport which are now supported by a quarter of the world’s population between them. Three Kings popularity will be tested by football fans globally and none other than those of a grass roots fan base, but what will be proven is the depiction of sporting legends at the peak of their powers.

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GHQ: What is and remains important to you with football?

Jonny: That it’s the people’s game. I mean it’s such an open game football. In the sense that all you need is a ball and players. Goalposts can be jumpers and we can argue about where the crossbar is in our imaginations when we play. I’ve played and watched football since as far back as I can remember. One of my first memories is the Orange and White shirts of the 1974 World Cup final. My family are obsessed by it.

My friends were. My hometown of Merthyr is. It was all around me. Probably the most important thing in all that is that is its social side. It’s a whole world in itself. Meeting with your mates for the game. The chat in the pub before and after. It’s a way of life really. There’s a great story that someone threw a scarf once out of the Kop towards Shankly as he celebrated another league title win. A policeman caught it before it landed and threw it to one side. ‘Don’t do that son’ he said as the chanted ‘Shankly’, ‘That’s someone’s life’. He then put it around his neck. That sums it up for me.

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GHQ: Films, such as Three Kings rely heavily on archive footage - do you think that is one of the best ways to help preserve football and its roots-based on footballs meaning/ value?

Jonny: I think so. There’s a lot of it buried away there. The rise of the documentary and particularly the sports documentary is one of the real success stories in film and cinema this last decade. We’ve seen during lockdown how ‘the last dance’ required watching. That was based on archive that has say there for years. It’s the same with football. When I did ‘I believe in Miracles’ the story of the great Nottingham Forest team of the late 70’s I was literally finding old film in tins in storage in Lincoln that hadn’t been seen in 40 years. Gold like Brian Clough talking about politics during that time. It’s remarkable what’s out there and what’s great is that this stuff is becoming more and more important because it’s social history now. Football is central to our lives and people want to know about its past because it informs who we are now.

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GHQ: What was one of the hardest aspects of directing/ Involvement of Three Kings?

Jonny: The most difficult thing was trying to weave the three stories together and also how epic they are. Remember they all had great careers as players as well as managers. I had to be quite hard sometimes in what I put in and what I left out. We made a decisive that this was to be their story. We wanted their voices as much as possible. Not so much the players or their assistants but them. That was tough because it could easily have been a four-part series.

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CRIME STORY A TOUR YOU CAN’T REFUSE AT THE VEGAS MOB MUSEUM

by Nick Christophers for GHQ

St Valentine’s Day Massacre

I had the pleasure of visiting the Museum not long ago and was floored by what it had to offer. As a mob historian the Museum offered me a journey that I will not soon forget. Each floor offered a different layer of mob history that was exciting with surprising artifacts that only they could offer. From the bullet riddled wall of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre to letters from Pablo Escobar it was wild to see. Of course, all the items go through a rigorous authentication process. Geoff Schumacher the Museum’s vice president of exhibits and programs, plays a huge role in offering a memorable tour for the many visitors to the Museum.

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Deirdre with her infamous Uncle Al

Geoff first came to the Museum in 2014 only 2 years after it opened its doors. When he arrived, he worked on building the Museum’s internet presence (social media platforms) and artifact acquisition that was needed. Geoff came to the Museum with 25 years of journalistic experience and a strong knowledge of Las Vegas. Even though he was not a mob genre enthusiast prior to coming to the Museum he realized you cannot ignore that the mob is very much a part of Vegas’ history.

As we mentioned earlier the artifacts at the Museum are mindblowing and educational. Geoff has made major inroads when working on acquiring such unique items.

“Acquiring artifacts is an interesting role to play at the Museum.

Individuals donate items which we would have to authenticate.

There have been times were someone offers an item, and we may have to deny it since we can not confirm it is authentic.

People may be offended but we would rather be 100% accurate than not. We also purchase artifacts that we deem useful for an exhibit that is offered to us, but the same protocol is used, confirming its authenticity, said Geoff.”

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Joey Gallo

The Museum does manage to fulfil the scope of mob history but there is so much more that can be told. The Museum itself is a living document since it was there that the famous Kefauver Hearings in 1950-51 were held. The hearings were set-up to prove that an international criminal organization exists. They brought such mobsters like Frank Costello and Joey Gallo into the spotlight that they dreaded. The structure was once a courthouse/post office.

It was a great honour when the Museum received accreditation on March 1, 2017. The award is one that a select few Museum’s receive in America, so it was a major accomplishment for the staff. We must note that the Museum was the brainchild of the mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman.

Since its inception in2012 it has drawn many visitors from all walks of life. It took $42 million to bring the Museum to life via local, state, and federal grants.

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Police Conduct Case

Even though Geoff and others like Jonathan Ullman would love to expand the space of the Museum to offer more it is hard to do without altering the historic structure. The federal building which erected in 1933 is one you would rather not change in any way. Yet maybe in the future they will hope to expand in a bigger space. Many may say why did they not set up the Museum along the strip rather than downtown. But Geoff explained why.

“The best place for the Museum is downtown. Great thing is that the structure is an artifact itself. There was no building like that on the strip. It had to be within the city limits to begin with.

The Museum actually created an economic stimulus for the downtown area.�

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Inside Museum

Since the pandemic hit the Museum was unable to conduct any public programming or speaking engagements. Yet they are looking to make up for lost time and set up some new programs in 2021.

So far, they had speakers from around the world which has made the Mob Museum experience even more memorable. If you are ever in the Vegas area you can bet that a trip to the Mob Museum will be worth the investment.

https://themobmuseum.org/

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The Rendlesham Forest Incident - UFO Sightings and an Unresolved Enquiry.

The Rendlesham Forest UFO incident is without question one of the strangest documented events. Backed up by considerable, yet credible evidence the incident raises some serious questions.

It has been recorded in different formats and mediums, including the Military themselves that On December 28, 1980, US Air Force deputy base commander Lieutenant Colonel Charles Halt received word of “bizarre sightings” near and around two military installations: the RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge airbases. Both based in the UK. Multiple, first-hand observations of what were described as, “supernatural lights” and “unidentifiable craft sightings,” occurred during the night in question. It’s an undeniable fact of the incident and its occurrence, but, as neither the truth or facts is something that was or remains open for discussion by either the US or British Military.

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What the Rendlesham Forest UFO incidents suggest are still hard to decipher due to the incident’s location; but due to the lack of ‘physical’ evidence doesn’t necessarily make them a hoax.

The accounts from airmen personnel present on the night, Sargent Jim Penniston, officer John Burroughs, officer Budd Stevens and others included what is to be, “vague descriptions of the multiple sightings.” The craft were said to range from, “unusual supernatural lights” and “triangular spacecraft” and “as dense and as glossy as obsidian and burned marks in the ground.”

In their testimonies, they simply stated: “…Saw a mechanical object with red, blue and white lights, but the craft disappeared before we could get a better look…”

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Although Penniston and Burroughs were perfectly clear and precise about what they witnessed that night, it was reported that their commanding officer told them to remain silent and not mention the full story in their report. That was until the sightings actually happened again! The second time of the incident (shortly after) word was sent direct to the deputy base commander Lieutenant, Colonel Charles Halt, who according to a military document was eating in the mess hall. It’s also been reported that the Lieutenant Colonel felt he had no choice but to put aside his dinner and his personal doubt, grab a tape recorder, and see what was happening outside first-hand.

One of the more notable quotes from Halt’s recording captured both his feelings and emotions of that very experience: “…It looks like an eye winking at you…Here he comes from the south, he’s coming towards us now…now we’re observing what happens to be a beam coming down to the ground. This is unreal…”

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In both encounters, the mysterious aircraft reflected lights, hovered, landed, took off at alarming speed, and then appeared to “magically” dissolve or fade.

When Halt shared his story with the Office of Special Investigations (OSI), much like Boroughs and Penniston, he was told to keep quiet about his experience to protect not only his own reputation, more importantly, the reputation of the U.S. Air Force. It is largely accepted that Boroughs and Penniston were sworn to secrecy, but Lieutenant Colonel Halt was allowed to write a memo to the Ministry of Defence about the events that had occurred that night. Thanks to the U.S. Information act of 1983, Lieutenant Colonel Halt’s memo is on public record, for anyone to read.

Additional witnesses and recorded facts: radar operators admitted to tracking the objects on the 26th and 28th of December. But they only felt comfortable discussing what they were tracking after they retired from the military. The anonymous former radar operators mentioned that they saw the lights traveling 60 miles (96 kilometers) in three seconds, rotate and come to a sudden stop by a water tower, and return again to the forest where Colonel Halt’s team were on the ground investigating. This additional information from the radar operators lend support to the previous statements made

by Halt, Burroughs, and Penniston.

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IRVINE WELSH PRESENTS

Begbie - aka, Begbie, Jim Francis, The Blade Artist, Begs and Bego, remains in my mind, and unquestionably, one of the most ‘impressionable’ characters from the Trainspotting franchise.

So how would the Pringle-wearing, beer-drinking lunatic be best described? He really does encapsulate your stereo typical and (for some) worst type of person to have around you on a night out. The ‘hard-man,’ in Irvine Welsh's 1993 novel Trainspotting, Begbie can also be found in further instalments of Welsh’s work including the 2017 film Trainspotting 2. Fans of the character were able to follow his troublesome antagonist ways in the prequel novel Skagboys. He can also be carrying on with his ritual acts of aggression in the 2016 novel The Blade Artist and as he once was described as the ‘teteragonist in the novel Dead Man's Trouser.’

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The ‘spin’ with Begbie and (largely) difference from the main cast, is his (obvious) character traits. ’Begbie barely tolerates the drug usage and those hanging from a needle he associates with; the irony being he’s a habitual smoker, an alcoholic and all-round unhinged drug-dealer. Fans and observers of his actions clearly take note and can give testament to his level want and need of violence – easily identifiable as an ‘addiction’ of his own. Whether it be picking on easier, less formidable, unsuspecting victims or mugging defenseless tourists, Begbie remains a cult classic favourite.

GHQ: Begbie, as a character – Could he ever or should he be reformed?

Irvine: Probably not in both cases. But the great thing about fiction is that you get to make the unlikely happen, and sometimes it turns out less likely than the truth. Throw enough art or love at anyone and they’ll change. But I don’t think he really is reformed, he’s just learned how to be as cold-blooded and snide as the members of the ruling class.

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GHQ: We spoke almost 20 years ago on who I favoured as characters; Spud and Begbie, as characters, I feel are two of the most impressionable and like-able. Still now, for me, each of these two bring very identifiable and some-what comedic qualities in their performance.

Irvine: Spud is the lost guy who before Thatcherism, would have worked had a manual job, maybe done a bit of thieving on the side, but basically led a decent life, looked after his missus and kids. After that, and with de-industrialisation, people like him came t be recast as losers. He’s basically doomed from the start.

And he’s too nice. We created a world where you are either a mug or a cunt, and most people would prefer to be a cunt, if pressed. So now we strive to emulate the very worst of us.

Begbie is the worser. Now he’s become a white-collar psychopath – like most of that ilk he no longer needs to get his hands dirty to satisfy his blood lust. I’m not sure if they have a new book in them, but I have old material on them that I might publish.

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GHQ: Begbie – He’s back!– Francis Begbie is to make a comeback in a Christmas story. The Begbie family are experiencing “the ultimate nightmare family Christmas”.

There’s concentration on Begbie’s psychotic behavior, played

by Robert Carlyle in the Trainspotting films. The plot is said to be around him visiting his ill mother in Edinburgh over the festive period after being freshly released from prison. Knowing his character well, and it’s fair to say, no one knows him better than you, it has to be nothing short of chaos

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Irvine: I tend not to overtly plot a story. Basically, I get a lot of characters that interest me, throw them in a room, and let them tell the story by sparking off each other. I think it’s important for the writer not to get in the way too much – let them get on with it.

GHQ: Begbie, in this instalment – What was the deciding factor and if any justification of a Begbie story over any of the other characters? (Spud will always be a favourite too)

Irvine: Begbie is an interesting character in that he has constant permission to transgress in a way we all want to at times, but are too inhibited or concerned by potential reprisals to do so. I think we’ve all known a few, and it’s great to meet them of the page rather than in real life, as you don’t have the hassle and stress of trying to manage their lunacy, you can just enjoy it from a safe distance. We all have an inner Begbie, but most of us keep him hidden.

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GHQ: His stock and trade are levels of extreme, unjustified violence. We all know a Begbie, and he clearly plays an important role in your latest instalment – But what is Begbie really about?

Irvine: I think Begbie has come to symbolize the end of the traditional working class as a radical force. We’ve now become a cowardly and ignorant section of the population, our culture in terms of music, football and style have all been subsumed into the entertainment industry and sold back to us in a bland, crass imitation of what we previously valued. Our employment in useful trades has gone, replaced by low wage gig-economy tickles. Yet so many of us feel moved to back our Etonian ruling class Tory masters who have precipitated these changes. And we do this because we are removed from them and we don’t see the damage they do. Whereas the patronizing metropolitan middle classes, who’ve stolen our music, football and the Labour Party are all too visible and an easier target for our scorn. So Begbie represents the ‘if you can’t beat them join them’ final surrender of the working-classes. He’s become morearty and middle-class, not because he values their world, but because being there allows him to practice violence with greater impunity, away from eyes or concern of the state.

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THE 1930’s SCOTTISH GANGSTERS WHO WERE KICKED OUT Of AMERICA.

1930’s Chicago – a time when it was said that members of Glasgow’s notorious razor gangs were recruited by Chicago crime cartels – including Al Capone’s infamous and deadly organised crime gang.

Inevitably the police caught up with gang members, and as (crime) history reveals, they were deported back to Scotland – but in doing so, brought home a range of new scams, methods and terror tactics. It’s largely been missed by Hollywood and documentaries, but there were connections between Glasgow and the then Al Capone controlled crime-riddled city of Chicago.

Al Capone in fact hired one tough known as Scot Ronald Kerr as his personal bodyguard (following the 1929 St Valentine’s Day massacre). Another gang member was James Gilzean, was among those that moved to the US – only then returning to Scotland with his new criminal enterprising skills.

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One such historian, Andrew Davies who documented the era said: “There were others like Gilzean. If all the stories are true, you would actually think the Chicago gang wars were orchestrated by Scots. There was a fascination in Britain with the US underworld in the Prohibition era of the 1920s. Another dimension is the young Scots who had emigrated to the US during the Depression. Many returned having gained first-hand experience of violent, organised crime. Gilzean claimed to have been closely associated with many of the leading Chicago gangsters in the Prohibition era and gave a graphic account of boot-legging, turf wars, ruthless killings and police and political corruption. Having returned to Scotland, he was keen to trade on the global notoriety of the wild men of Chicago and he provided sketches of John Torrio, Al Capone and Dean O’Banion.”

One such report gives claim that Capone, who was ensconced at his house in Palm Beach, was watched over by a select, handpicked group of loyal gunmen. This deadly and fearless group of approximately 12 men, were commanded by Ronald Kerr.

Another report suggests Kerr was the only man Capone would trust.

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Gilzean is said to have revealed in his mobster links after returning to Scotland and even wrote a series newspaper articles entitled A Scot in Chicago’s Gangland.

In 1932, records reflect that more than 100 criminals were deported from the US and Canada returning to Scotland. Much like those seeking a new start in America, young and eager Scottish teenagers seeking work left for the ‘promised land,’ but as a result of the great depression then turned to crime. Those that were caught, ultimately served prison sentences in the US, then being forced to return to Scotland. With no prospects of work and little option but continue a life of crime. Scottish police and government records show what some classed as ‘Chicago-style rackets;’ smash and grab raids, armed robberies and similar violent crimes.

One such event was publicised – July 10, 1932 in the Sunday Mail, documenting how Glasgow detectives were investigating a series of threatening letters being sent to witnesses in housebreaking cases. Also reported were growing cases of protection rackets targeting shopkeepers, publicans and small business owners.

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Some have suggested that the once Capone-employed Scottish criminals who found themselves back in Scotland, later become fearless members of the Billy-Boys.

The reality of gang culture in Glasgow in the 20s and 30s was already one of a vicious existence. Glasgow’s biggest razor gang was the infamous Bridgeton Billy Boys, led by Billy Fullerton, which boasted up to 800 members.

Fans of the tv show, The Peaky Blinders, will recall how The Birmingham-based Shelby family fought against the yet un-met, but fearless Scottish gang. As many know, The Peaky Blinders is a historical drama set in 1920’s Birmingham and starring the city’s famous gangster family the Shelby’s, headed by the much liked and charismatic Thomas (Tommy) Shelby. In Season 5 of the show, the Birmingham gang are confronted by a new, not yet seen enemy, one who many claim are more vicious than they’ve yet met: the so-called “Billy Boys” from Glasgow.

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It’s accepted that most of the events in the program are fictional and made for a sense of ‘entertainment value,’, but the Billy Boys (who did actually exist); are shown how and why they formed, what they did, their infamous such as Billy Fullerton, and how they were said to be brought to justice by Sir Percy Sillitoe sometime in the 1930’s.

The Billy Boys were formed as a result of the rising ‘religious’ tensions between incoming Irish Catholics and the existing Scottish Protestant community. It’s been largely documented that sectarian gangs stalked Glasgow’s streets from the end of the 19th Century and fought at local football matches, train stations, betting outlets and race-tracks; basically, anywhere there was money, throughout the early1900’s. Billy Fullerton was a known leader of the gang. Taking part in politics, being hired by various pollical members, serving as hired muscle and bodyguards for their local area meetings. Another incident that was of note, was when Fullerton was employed by Oswald Moseley’s BUF to cause disruptions at opposition meetings.

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KEVIN LANE A QUESTION OF TIME

In 1996, Kevin Lane was wrongfully convicted of Bob Magill’s murder. It was reported that Magill was shot dead in 1994 by a hitman in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire as he was walking his dog. Two men are said to have fled the scene in a BMW, which was later found. Kevin Lane, a former security firm owner/ doorman, and Roger Vincent were charged in 1995 with his murder.

The main evidence against the two men revolved around fingerprints found on bin liners in the car. Vincent was cleared but Lane was convicted on a 10-2 majority after a retrial.

During the appeal, the court heard that DI Christopher Spackman, of Hertfordshire police, who was a key officer in the case, was later convicted (2003) of conspiracy to steal ÂŁ160,000 and of misconduct in a public office. He also told the original trial that some witnesses were untraceable -when this was not the case! He was then convicted and jailed for four years.

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It was also shown that D.I Spackman had forged documents and witness statements, been involved in cannabis cultivation and had held “off the record” meetings with Vincent without his solicitor being informed or present. Chats that Vincent is said to have requested, and it has been said that during these same confidential chats, Vincent brokered a deal.

It has long been believed by both Kevin and those that know him, that there was a conspiracy to put him on trial and a give him a life-long conviction. For decades Kevin and a team of loyal friends have worked both relentlessly and tirelessly, every day to prove his innocence.

Since 1995; when he was charged and remanded, Kevin has written over 10,000 letters, penned a book to highlight the Criminal Justice System and the use of public interest immunity certificates which kept important evidence hidden from public view. He is not just fighting for his own freedom, but also to bring to light the failings within the criminal justice system itself.

In the words of another trusted and mutual friend who once said, “The life of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter has taken more twists and turns than a Rocky Mountain highway, from obscurity to acclaim and back again - and again. Wrongfully arrested and convicted for triple murder, the former professional boxer was sentenced to three life terms, narrowly escaping the electric chair. He became a civil-rights cause célèbre and was immortalized in the Bob Dylan song and later in the Norman Jewison movie Hurricane.”

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In February 1988, the 22-year old indictment was finally dismissed. His presentations inspire audiences to never give up on their dreams, to go the distance, and to persevere no matter what obstacles they may face.”

How many more times should a man have to write, “I am a 41year-old man entering my 15th year in prison for a crime I did not commit.”? This comment was written back in 2010, and that man is still being punished for a crime he did not commit.

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GHQ: Being wrongfully convicted of a crime, what got you through the ordeal?

Kevin: Anger and tenacity for sure. The injustice of my wrongful conviction evoked a raging tornado deep within me.

A powerful driving force if you like, to right the wrong. Where I was framed and found guilty his murder, I was so angry. I used the pen, in that it being mightier than the sword and I wrote over 10,000 letters. I believe each letter moved me one step nearer to winning my freedom. Changing my anger into battling to prove I was innocent helped massively. I felt so helpless until I started writing letters. Sustaining from having a TV also stopped the brain from vegetating. I also punished myself in the gym releasing the stress. Also, massive amounts of love and support must be mentioned, as I received hundreds of Christmas cards and letters each year helped me enormously.

GHQ: Are your thoughts the same as when you went away?

Kevin: Definitely not. I consider any given subject objectively now, weighing up things carefully and taking the time to mullover my thoughts, not listening to the mindless chatter for one. “The constant drip wore the stone,” and I believe the passage, “of time laid its tempered hand upon my head.”

Although, “just because the waters are calm, it doesn't mean there aren't any crocodiles underneath.” I'm far more measured and mellowed these days, so I'm told.

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GHQ: Is there any way you could forgive those that are responsible for you losing all the years of your life?

Kevin: Bitterness has no adverse effects on a person's personality. I like to think, “life shuffles the cards’ and we play.” I have made the best of my hand, focusing on the here and now. I wish Spackman no ill thoughts. However, Vincent and Smith are always in the mix trying to cause me harm via third parties. They are desperate to stop my book being released which will expose them for the police informers that they are, “smeagal-like creatures to be precise.” My book will punch back hard. The pair of them are actually very cowardly unless they have a gun in their hands. They are not real men, I despise them both.

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GHQ: What results or actions do you hope your book, ‘Fitted up and Fighting Back,’ will bring?

Kevin: Selective disclosure to one legal team the prosecution; and not the defense will never work. I hope my book will act as a springboard for a full review of Public Immunity Interest (PII), or sensitive material as it is more commonly known. Such onesided disclosure is thwart with catastrophic consequences and many more miscarriages of justice will take place. Sensitive material must be thrashed-out on a level playing field in front of the trial judge. Failing that, the minefield of misinformation used against you is far reaching. I would obviously love to see my conviction overturned

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GHQ: What plans do you have for the future?

Kevin: I will focus on life itself, “one life, live it.” Spend some quality time with my loved ones and friends. I would also like to do seminars and motivational talks. Previously, I have been a guest speaker at Cambridge University law school, the prestigious Law Society in Marylebone, London to name but a couple, on behalf of the inside justice project. Also, I have a gateway to some of this country's well publicised cases. The Hatton Garden Robbery by way of example, and I would like to interview those involved to hear what they have to say. The inside story, straight from the horse’s mouth so to speak.

Kevin Lanes Book, titled, ‘Fitted up and fighting back,’ and all up to date information regarding Kevin’s progress is available via his site – https://fittedupandfightingback.co.uk/

and to support please visit and sign at – https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-kevin-lane-fitted-upand-fighting-back

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Dougie Brimson for GHQ

It’s fairly safe to say that over the years my name has become synonymous with the subject of football hooligan related literature, or as it became known, Hoolie-Lit. Indeed, at various points I have been described in the press as ‘The Yob Laureate’ and ‘the football hooligans pornographer-in-chief’. As good an epitaph for my future headstone as it’s possible to have been granted.

Yet prior to 1995, writing was never really on my radar. Up to that point, my entire working life, just over 18 years of it, had been pretty much taken up by a career in the Royal Air Force.

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What changed that was the fast approaching Euro 96 or to be more specific, the growing media furore surrounding the possibility of mass hooliganism at the tournament. For it’s safe to say that as someone who had followed football home and away for years and had occasionally been amongst the very worst the terraces had to offer, some of the things being written by certain so-called experts about a world my brother and I knew a little about, were not just wide of the mark, they were laughable.

The more of these bizarre ramblings we read and heard, the more it struck us that what was missing was some kind of balance. Something that provided an honest and frank examination of this fascinating world from the inside. In the end, we decided that if no one else was going to provide one, we might as well try. The question was how to do it and the obvious answer was to try and write a book.

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Like many supporters with an interest in the Saturday Scene we had read a fair smattering of the work pumped out by the world of academia as well as all of the fan accounts written up to that point including both Among The Thugs and Steaming In. Whilst the output from the likes of Dr. Gary Armstrong and Professor John Williams provided us with little save mild amusement, the latter two books provided us with the gem of an idea.

We had decided fairly early on that the one thing we wouldn’t, in fact couldn’t, do was to write a wholly first hand account of our own activities. As Watford fans we were well aware that we were hardly The ICF or the Zulu Army and in any case, I had always been more of an interested observer than an active participant and as a result, my anecdotes would barely fill a small pamphlet let alone an entire paperback.

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Therefore we realised that if we were going to get anywhere near publication, we had to write a book that was constructed in a way which would appeal both to those fans with a vested interest in the scene as well as those supporters on the outside of it.

As a consequence, we decided that the best way to approach it was to tackle some of the more contentious issues relating to both hooliganism and football from our own personal perspective and intersperse these with anecdotes of related violence gathered from some of the more active groups around the country.

In those pre-internet days, these anecdotes were gathered through a variety of methods ranging from standing outside grounds handing out leaflets to placing adverts in fanzines and even just talking to people we knew and met.

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But the core of the book going to be our thoughts on subjects which impacted on both the game and the culture. From policing through to the relationship with the media, we tackled every issue we thought needed tackling and whilst some of our opinions were controversial, the fact remains that they were ours and they had been forged not by trawling through other peoples work, but by following Watford home and away for decades.

Equally, because we knew that we weren’t writers and were both well aware of our limitations in that area, we were able to keep focussed on who we were writing the book for. The result being that we were able to write in a way which gave potential readers what we knew they would want as opposed to what we hoped they might like. Not just in terms of content, but in construction. In that sense, knowing that you’re never going to win Sports Book of the Year is actually quite liberating.

TO BE CONTINUED .

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Neil Primett of 80s Casuals – The Return of Ellesse

After being massively involved in revivals of Fila and Sergio Tacchini on the back of the film, The Business, it was always a case of how to get (rightfully) Ellesse back to the UK with interest in what I would call the, ‘heritage styles’. Fortunate for me and fans of the timeless classic brand, Ellesse saw 80s Casual Classics as the obvious home and offered us a 2000piece limited launch range.

The key style for us had to be one that both myself and Nick Love picked for Bex in, ‘The Firm’ - a style seen and worn on the 1983 UK Davis cup team………..the style sold out that fast, confidence was immediate to chase fresh styles and start to celebrate Ellesse for its 80s and 90s qualities.

Fans of Nick Love’s 2009 film, The Firm, will attest to the impressionable and pulling power the top has – when Bex selects with care and precision the Ellesse Rimini tracksuit - If the top boy knows the apple, you can bet the Rimini is a must have. It’s also a testament the timeless value the Rimini holds across the generations!

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First released in 1982, the original Ellesse Rimini track top was born in a golden era of casual sportswear. Thanks to sportswear endorsements with tennis legends such as Boris Becker and Guillermo Villas, Ellesse made sportswear cool, fresh and vibrant; unlike anything seen before it.

It’s then fair to say Ellesse was and still is considered pure gold by both the 80’s and the current ‘casual/ dresser crowd.’

Just like Fila & Sergio Tacchini dominated the courts throughout the late 70s and early 80s, so did Ellesse and it was these connections that gave them the credibility and respect they still hold so strong to this day. The casual connection came from the desire for expensive sportswear, one-upmanship & the elitist appeal of the brand at the time – some might say it was the birth of the ‘casual connoisseur.’

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Unlike

Fila and Sergio Tacchini, the brand was ready to transition the 2 decades where it was at the forefront, with 90s style larger logos and looser fit sweats and tees. As well as this, Ellesse agreed to delve into its more colourful past with bright and lively Track Tops, Polos and shorts and soon the brand was being picked up in the UK by a younger, Ibiza loving crowd; part chasing the centre court look of Danny Dyer in The Business, but with fresh colourful alternatives than Wimbledon dressing rules.

A shared belief; and proven theory of mine, the shorts was evidence of a more colourful existence of the Ellesse, whereby Wimbledon could only ever be white‌. the issue today is taking stock of what we have achieved in 10 years - the answer is a brand believed to now be trading upwards of 100 million, kickstarted by little old me? Just like brands Adidas and Nike, as the brand hits a commercial level, it’s up to me to see that my own cooler casuals / Ibiza junkies continue to be fed unique colourful statement pieces - Ellesse is still the Peacock of Italian sports brands for 80s Casual Classics.

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JEFF TURNER FOR GHQ

40 years ago, in October 1980 the Rejects released a double A side single, We Are The Firm/War On The Terraces. It ain’t rocket science to see what influenced our band. Unlike all the other punk bands of that era, we were strongly into our ideal of punk being about running with the pack at football grounds and surrounding areas, living that life and transferring football hooligans into our gig venues. A rock n roll suicide? Didn’t and don’t give a shit ! We talked the talk and walked the walk. The cover of the single was a photograph of West Ham supporters in the south bank trying to get at the Millwall supporters on October 7th, 1978. Very tasteful and homage to what was a memorable day. The first ever game I attended was West Ham v Chelsea on August 22nd, 1970. I was 6 years old; my ol’ man took me and we stood in the packed lower west side. I couldn’t see fuck all of the game if memory serves me right! The result was a 2-2 draw. West Ham were 2-0 up, but Keith Weller making his Chelsea debut after signing from Millwall, bagged a brace to secure a point.

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My outstanding memory from that game was not the result but the sheer ferocity of the supporters in the ground that day.

A west side full of mainly Dockers, shouting, singing, using classic foul language and directing pure abuse at the Chelsea players and Weller especially for him being an ex-Millwall player. I was immediately hooked! My ol’ man was fuming that the ex-Millwall slag had scored against us, it affected him more than the Irons throwing away a 2-goal lead.

Being a nipper at the time, I couldn’t understand why Weller was particularly singled out -because he played for that lot south of the Thames? I asked my ol’ man as to why this was?

My dad was a Docker; he explained to me that in 1926 a general strike was called for in the London docks, a majority being EastEnders and therefore mainly West Ham supporters who supported the strike and that the Millwall supporting Dockers south of the river refused to back them. Plus, Millwall originally being an east London club made him and virtually every other West Ham supporter naturally despise them . My ol man told me that in sept 1932, when he was aged 17, he went to Upton Park for what was the first football league meeting between the 2 clubs . He said the atmosphere was totally hostile, thousands of geezers in flat caps abusing each other and trying to get to one another and the filth trying hard to keep them apart! The scene was set for the bitter hatred between the two that exists to this very day. In December 1938, 42,200 punters packed into Upton Park for this fixture, a record crowd for a match between the 2 enemies that stands to this present time.

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On May 6th, 1967 Manchester United visited Upton Park needing only a point to clinch the first division title (they caned us 6-1) their red army being arguably the first properly organised football firm in England. Hordes of the fuckers descended upon the Boleyn ground; they got there early doors and took the North Bank, our recognised ‘End’ at that time. It proper went off! West Ham came in and had a proper go, were game as fuck, but the Mancs tactic of getting in there early paid off. Just too many of them for the irons to take back the end.

My eldest Brother Steve was there that day, he was 14 years old and has told me that it was a really heavy experience, real ultraviolence and West Ham were just unprepared but battled so gamely! From that day on they got with it. The liberty taken by the Mancs would never be forgotten or forgiven. Payback would come some years later, big style ! From then on, West Ham mobilised and organised into a fearsome force. You would hear stories of the Mile End mob, the Boleyn firm, the Baker twins and if course the mighty TBF (Ted/ Bunter Firm). Upton Park became a fortress - 4 terraced sides in the ground, North Bank, South Bank, Lower West Side and the Chicken Run; it was firmed up in every end; even rivalry’s between different ends!

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When I think about the late 60’s, thoughts tend to be of the fucking flower power hippy brigade – I doubt if any of that lot were ever seen on a football terrace! The working-class youth never bought into that middle class, university peace and love bollocks and in late 1968, the skinhead culture was born. Booted, braced-up, stay pressed, clad boneheads were appearing at football grounds across the nation. The initial wave would only be a fleeting one.

Come the early 70’s there was a new look. If you watch the classic FA cup fourth round replay in 1972 between non-league Hereford and First division Newcastle when Hereford score their 2 goals (in a famous upset win) pitch invasions follow and it’s a sea of gormless young-uns wearing fucking snorkel parkas! The music and films of that era were brilliant, but the fashion was shockingly turgid. The early to mid 70’s oversaw a huge rise in football hooliganism. Fans were now kitted out in flared trousers, platform shoes, tank tops and sporting long hair. When watching footage of it kicking off in that time you notice the scarfs tied around their wrists and the older ones have sideburns, looking like they had just attended a Slade gig!

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1975, the 25th October, Man-United came to Upton Park. West Ham were ready and, in the mood, to smash the ‘red army’. The Mancs took a beating. Attacked in the south bank, they had to try and escape the battering they were taking, the only place they could go was onto the pitch. West Ham were after them from all sides of the ground. After 20 minutes of play being held up, they were herded back into the south bank and heavily protected by the ol’ Bill for the remainder of the game. They took a pounding outside the ground too, a proper good hiding. I can vividly remember a backpage headline in one of the next day’s Sunday papers titled, ‘The defeat of the Red Army.’ Revenge for 1967 was sweet and total!

As the mid to late 70’s came around, I recall plenty of geezers on the terraces wearing Donkey jackets. For me that was a real menacing, working class, hard as fuck style. Very Ray Winstone in the movie Scum. The rise of punk had happened, but I can’t recall seeing anybody wearing tartan bondage strides at the football. With the rise of 2 tone and the ultra-fake credential Sham 69, the skinheads were back on the terraces and in large numbers. In 1978/79 the Essex glory boy mods (mostly disenchanted ex-boneheads) were about in good numbers at Upton Park. Come 1980, style had become more casual.

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Harrington jackets, trainers, neat barney’s etc. The early to mid 80’s hooliganism and terrace battles increased sharply. It did become more about fashion; which totally baffled me and turned me off of the whole fucking shebang. Although the violence was heavy, I hated all the fashion bollocks, which has been my thing when it comes to slugging it out at the football. It became about wearing certain trainers, Pringle fucking jumpers and stupid fucking mullet hairstyles! When I went into battle, I never gave a fuck if my backup looked smart in his Lacoste polo shirt or Tacchini track top, just cared if he could throw a good right hand, have a core and stand his ground.

As the 80’s came to its conclusion, the race scene was well up and running. Very soon the terraces would be a thing of the past, as all seated stadiums became compulsory. I still went and still go to the football but all low profile. Nowadays it just ain’t the same as the good old days. I have been lucky to have experienced and lived through the golden terrace years and had the fantastic adrenaline rush of standing on them and rucking on them. Great memories’ but all things have to end. Too many divs at football nowadays!

‘It’s all gone quiet over there The seats and the stands are bare. Do you remember not long ago All the times that we battled there, WAR ON THE TERRACES / THE COCKNEY REJECTS OCTOBER 1980

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Carlton Leach – My Top Ten Firms Welcome to my column, aptly named...Carlton's Column!

This month I'm going to talk about something I get asked about all the time, relating to the terrace days. Now, I get asked about the broad topic of my hooligan days all the time, but I think this one comes up the most often, so without further ado let's move to my top-ranking toughest firms!

The following is my opinion, based on my experiences, my memories, the rucks I was in, this doesn't seek to discredit or disrespect anyone or any firm. When a man gets in the ring, the loneliest place in the world, he automatically earns a minimum level of respect and turning out with your firm on a meet is no different, so I have respect for almost every fan, from youngster, to top boy, who used to turn out for their Club or their Firm, home or away.

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Let's consider the 1970's and early 80's, running with the West Ham lads, even before the ICF was formed, as well as in its heyday, I'm talking before everyone had a mobile phone, never mind the internet and fucking Facebook! The proper serious, core firm looking for agg always travelled by car or train to away games, sometimes we hired vans or jumped in the back of someone’s transit, because you were too easy to spot on coaches and the official travel always picked up a police escort on route, which isn't helpful! We always had good numbers when going up as far as the Midlands, usually about 3-4k, but much further north than that and our numbers could drop to 300400. I'm going to do this in areas, rather than top 10 team, because that would be almost impossible!

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ICF (away) vs...

1. London

London showdowns were highly anticipated and very heartfelt! For me, the toughest London club we came up against back in the day was Millwall; love or hate them, you had to respect them, they were a tough firm! I considered Chelsea's and Tottenham's firms on par with one another, coming very close in after Millwall. I got chored 3 times at Tottenham away, the most notable time, I was up in court 2 days before my first wedding, at the wedding, my knee was so fucked up I couldn't knee at the alter and most of the guests had black eyes and broken noses! Last but not least in London would be Arsenal's firm and just because they are ranked below the others in my list, doesn't mean they aren't up there with some of the toughest football firms in the world.

2. Liverpool area

We had many run-ins with Liverpool F.C.'s firm, usually on Main Road outside Stanley Park and they were game as, but the worst rucks in this neck of the woods, I have to say, were against Everton lot! As we went near Lime Street Station, you'd get absolutely swamped by them boys, but we held our own.

One time we went up to a West Ham v Liverpool match and Everton's firm turned out...unbelievable! I remember it was pitch black and they came out of no-where, started pelting us with rocks and bottles, a broken brick hit me in the throat and knocked me down, I got up and couldn't speak for ages!

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3.

Manchester

Obviously 2 major firms here, United's and City's. Utd's firm often got called the Cockney Reds as so many people from down south supported them and travelled up to the matches (does that make it home or away for them?!), we sometimes ran into their fans on the train heading up. Utd was the bigger of the 2 clubs, but Man City had the toughest of the 2 firms in my opinion! I liked City, they reminded me of West Ham in some ways, given their underdog status.

4. Leeds & Sheffield

Service Crew, hard bastards! I'd probably put Everton's firm pretty much on par with these tough fuckers too. Sheffield, like Manchester, had 2 big teams; United and Wednesday. I remember a lot of fighting in Sheffield city centre, as well as inside both grounds!

5. Midlands

I could do a top 10 of football firms just for the Midlands! The toughest firm for me, against the ICF away was the Zulus! We had immense tear-ups with them lads. Leicester, Stoke City and Nottingham Forrest all had game as fuck firms, they would go toe to toe with anyone.

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6.

Wales

Both now and back then, I rated and liked both sets of fans in Wales. Cardiff had the biggest firm, but I hold Cardiff and Swansea's firms (and fans) in high regard and on par with each other.

7. South Coast Portsmouth tops this area for me, I've got some great memories from in and around Fratton Park. Southampton and Brighton's firms come in close behind Portsmouth for me.

8. North East The biggest club was of course Newcastle Utd and we by far had the most rows with their firm. Sunderland was also a big club with big support. When you went to Middlesbrough it was going to be a fucking hard day! I'd put their firm in my top 5 overall firms (if I was writing that). The back streets of Middlesbrough’s turf were naughty, you could get lost and come proper unstuck so easily up there.

9.Suffolk Often forgotten or underrated, I think, are Norwich and Ipswich.

We always had good run-ins with both of these firms, but the hardest of fights out of the 2 was Ipswich away!

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10.

Wild Card!

Out of the old First Division, I'm throwing Luton Town's firm into the list! While I'm here and bending the rules of a top 10 list (it's my list, I'll do what I like!) I want to mention Coventry, too! We went up the M1 to meet them fellas for several naughty rucks.

Don't think I'm claiming we always came out on top either! All sides fought hard battles up and down the country, sometimes we got turned over, sometimes we came out on top, but either way...it was fucking great stuff! Nowadays, loads of the football lads from different firms are friends and we get together occasionally, we also support each others causes and some of us can call upon each other day or night, if need be.

Given that this is based, as I said earlier, on how I saw things, you can't tell me I'm wrong, however, you are entitled to a different opinion to me and I'd be happy to hear it! Tweet me your thoughts on @TheCarltonLeach any time you like and let's try to keep it civil!

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