JRF - BTH - BG: Отвъд Омразата

by Tosh McIntosh

Brief This book is about the original history of the football hooligan Firm called Jolly Roger and it depicts the involvement of the authors during the last three decades. It doesn't intend to introduce sheer statistics to its readers, but simply trying to show their history from the viewpoint of two kids who loved watching not only football, but also what was happening on the terraces around them, to the point when they grew up as adults seriously involved in football-related violence. JRF will also make an effort to devote some time to some sociological theories and do some psychological profiles that stand behind the phenomenon of football hooliganism. More detailed Unique for Bulgaria and probably one of the first hooligan books in Eastern Europe, giving a glimpse of football hooliganism from within, published by two fans of "Lokomotiv" Gorna Oryahovitsa. JRF – Beyond the Hatred or just "Beyond Hatred" was published in September 2016 in Bulgaria, and a year later it was translated and published in the UK , where one of its authors actually lives. Tosh McIntosh and Gilly Black are among the most avid and popular "Lokomotiv" ultras, based on the English traditions of the genre and their personal stories experienced by their football favourite team. The book is a kind of story of the hooligan group called "Jolly Roger Firm", which belongs to the fans of "Lokomotiv" (G.O). Its members define themselves as pro-British, following the traditions, attitude, and clothes of football hooligans in Britain. This is one of the most active football groups in Bulgaria for the past three decades. The book follows not only the personal stories of the authors involved as little boys in the group and following the team for over 30 years – from the late 1980's until now. Told from the inside are cult fan excesses and battles in different cities. Included are stories of iconic football hooligans, some of whom are no longer among the living. Ultras and other supporters also share their respect for "Jolly Roger". Of course, a special place is occupied by the battles with the supporters of "Etar'' Veliko Tarnovo at home and 'beyond the hill' (the two towns are based on each side of that hill). That's where the title of the book came from - "Beyond the Hatred." There is almost no such literature genre in Bulgaria, while in Great Britain there are traditions of writing hoolie-lit books . In his private library Gilly Black has collected hundreds of similar editions, some of them he wants to translate into Bulgarian and vice versa, together with his partner in writing.
"It's a different look at football hooliganism that tries to make sense of and explain the phenomenon. Hooliganism has existed since there was football in general. It has become a brutal game with specific rules and a certain code of honour that we also like to follow. Football hooligans are also football fans and whoever says different is a liar. For us, football flows in our blood stream and along with the battles in the stadiums it allows us to experience the extremes of every emotion known to man. For anyone who hasn't been a part of it, it's probably an amazingly stupid phenomenon, but for us it was a way of life. From this perspective, football hooliganism is like a kind of the extreme side of the game, with tough rules, and rough measures" explains Tosh McIntosh.

387 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2016

About the author

Tosh McIntosh's Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology is analogous to the turn signal on a classic, 1960s automobile owned since new by the kind of inconsiderate driver we all love to hate. It's never been used.

Following graduation from the University of Washington in Seattle, Tosh entered the Air Force with the intention of serving a four-year commitment as a pilot before deciding what he really wanted to do with the remainder of his professional life. One ride in a jet trainer consigned that plan to the scrap heap.

Twenty years of flying jet fighters (including two combat tours) remain the highlight of his aviation career. Another twenty years as a commercial airline and corporate pilot and current enjoyment of sport aviation in light aircraft have embedded within him a passion for sharing with others his unique perspective of what it means to be an aviator.

Pilot Error is his first novel in a planned series that will interweave a life-long fascination with writing and thousands of flight hours in pursuit of one goal: to create stories that entertain and put readers up close and personal within his world of the cockpit.