Bill Buford

Bill Buford is the author of the novel and the primary character in the book. He is a writer who is researching the subculture of football firms. As such, he reports first hand his activities as he learns about the game, attends his first matches, and participates in violent crowd activities such as the destruction of property and the beating of other supporters. As a narrator, his descriptions are vital, in that one can experience first hand not only the damage done by the crowds, but also the feelings and emotions associated with being in the crowd. Further, one is able to see his character change from an innocent reporter to a football thug to a man who tires of the violent subculture, which again helps to show the football subculture in all aspects.

By his own descriptions, Buford fits the image of a football supporter, in...