Manchester City's 'Blazing Squad' is one of a number of young gangs who prove the truth of that statement. As their infamous appearance on BBC Television proved, the tactics required to organise fights between rival football supporters have changed hugely since the mass of the 1970s and 80s. The advent of high ticket prices and all-seater stadia has forced a whole generation of younger supporters out of football grounds in favour of tourists and corporate fans, as a consequence violence within grounds has all but died out. Modern day policing techniques and the advent of spotters and Tactical Aid Units have forced the modern day hooligan to arrange 'meets' with rival fans, typically in areas well away from grounds and often with supporters whose team are not even in action that day. The Blazing Squad are one of this new breed of football firm -- small in number but ready to travel all over the country to fight their rivals. Carl Moran, star of BBC's 'Football Fight Club' explains how they grew from a few teenagers following their team into one of the most feared hooligan firms of recent times.
Carl Moran is from Whitefield, Manchester. A lifelong Manchester City supporter, Carl's first brush with football violence came when he was just 16. He was, at this stage, an unlicensed boxer and
turned down the opportunity to turn professional so he could continue building up 'Blazing Squad'.
In 2013, the BBC made a documentary about him and a new film is currently being filmed updating the
exploits of many of the characters of that film. With the number of banning orders and prison sentences handed down The Blazing Squad is not as active as it once was however, as Carl makes clear, "there are always new lads coming through".
