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The Roaring Red Front: The World’s Top Left-Wing Clubs
With the world turning rightwards and democracy looking at its most precarious since the 1930s, the emergence of a global network of left-wing, anti-fascist and anti-racist football fans has been one of the few shining lights in dark times.
Some support clubs that are globally renowned, including the great St Pauli - more famous for the quality of its politics and its merchandise than its football. Others, no less committed, follow virtual minnows, like Red Star Paris and Bohemians Prague. But they still have proud histories, deep convictions and something to say. The left often fails to connect.
How can these clubs inform and inspire? How can their example help collectivist, internationalist and inclusive principles defeat the seductive slogans and symbols of the growing nationalist and nativist movements across the planet?
The Roaring Red Front explores theses questions while examining the history and current struggles of these special clubs - and why it all matters.
Some support clubs that are globally renowned, including the great St Pauli - more famous for the quality of its politics and its merchandise than its football. Others, no less committed, follow virtual minnows, like Red Star Paris and Bohemians Prague. But they still have proud histories, deep convictions and something to say. The left often fails to connect.
How can these clubs inform and inspire? How can their example help collectivist, internationalist and inclusive principles defeat the seductive slogans and symbols of the growing nationalist and nativist movements across the planet?
The Roaring Red Front explores theses questions while examining the history and current struggles of these special clubs - and why it all matters.
256 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2023
11 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 18, 2024
Finally got around the reading more than just the St Pauli chapter and am so glad I did. A complete and satisfying series of profiles of the clubs and fans in the world that represent all that football can and should be.
I especially appreciated the re-affirmation of the complexities of football support in regards to nationalism, ie the Israel-Palestine conflict being played out atm. They are completely fair in their assessment of the sankt paulianers relative cowardice in their condemnation of zionism, something that is rearing it's head as i write this. Their profiles of
Hapoel and Palestino are coherent and objective, with the acknowledgement that the Palestinian diaspora is not necessarily left wing but their cause ultimately falls under that umbrella by default of the conflict; much in the same way Catalonia has an entire political ecosystem that swings from far right to far left and yet should always be at the forefront of liberal and socialist liberation struggle discourse.
It's time I admit to myself that I just like these books and stop forcing myself to read things i don't find interesting for the sake of it!
I especially appreciated the re-affirmation of the complexities of football support in regards to nationalism, ie the Israel-Palestine conflict being played out atm. They are completely fair in their assessment of the sankt paulianers relative cowardice in their condemnation of zionism, something that is rearing it's head as i write this. Their profiles of
Hapoel and Palestino are coherent and objective, with the acknowledgement that the Palestinian diaspora is not necessarily left wing but their cause ultimately falls under that umbrella by default of the conflict; much in the same way Catalonia has an entire political ecosystem that swings from far right to far left and yet should always be at the forefront of liberal and socialist liberation struggle discourse.
It's time I admit to myself that I just like these books and stop forcing myself to read things i don't find interesting for the sake of it!
September 16, 2022
A fantastic book which covers football clubs from across the world who stay true to their beliefs, philosophies and values. From Cadiz to Palestino in Santiago, Liverpool to Bohemians 1905 in Prague, Rayo Vallecano to Red Star FC in Paris. Stewart and Vincent cover these teams with brilliant detail. Providing history, background, conversations with fans, match day experiences and of course the dreaded P word - “Politics”
As someone who considers themselves on the left side, I felt myself living vicariously through the authors and experiencing these incredible matchdays, speaking with fans and walking the streets of their representative cities/towns. Makes me want to book a big groundhopping trip!
As someone who considers themselves on the left side, I felt myself living vicariously through the authors and experiencing these incredible matchdays, speaking with fans and walking the streets of their representative cities/towns. Makes me want to book a big groundhopping trip!
August 17, 2024
Quote and Quick Review:
"Can the clubs be part of an attempt to make internationalist and inclusive principles more attractive as a counterpoint to the seductive slogans and symbols of the growing nationalist and nativist movements across the world? In short, do these clubs actually matter? Of course they do, and not just because they bring pleasure and pain to millions across the globe. Saachi was right - of all the things that don’t really matter, football matters the most."
Stewart and Vincent picked a starting lineup of the 11 most vocally inclusive and leftist football clubs around the world and attended matches for each. The politics, community, camaraderie, and conversations all shine through. It’s fun and entertaining for football fans, it’s informative and insightful for leftists, and as someone who identifies as both it was perfect.
SCORES
Plot (Storyline or Research and Data Accuracy)
9/10
Development (Character or Data Presentation)
9/10
Technique (Prose/Style or Data Analysis)
10/10
Theme (Importance, Relevance, Impact)
10/10
Vibes (Originality or Readability)
9/10
"Can the clubs be part of an attempt to make internationalist and inclusive principles more attractive as a counterpoint to the seductive slogans and symbols of the growing nationalist and nativist movements across the world? In short, do these clubs actually matter? Of course they do, and not just because they bring pleasure and pain to millions across the globe. Saachi was right - of all the things that don’t really matter, football matters the most."
Stewart and Vincent picked a starting lineup of the 11 most vocally inclusive and leftist football clubs around the world and attended matches for each. The politics, community, camaraderie, and conversations all shine through. It’s fun and entertaining for football fans, it’s informative and insightful for leftists, and as someone who identifies as both it was perfect.
SCORES
Plot (Storyline or Research and Data Accuracy)
9/10
Development (Character or Data Presentation)
9/10
Technique (Prose/Style or Data Analysis)
10/10
Theme (Importance, Relevance, Impact)
10/10
Vibes (Originality or Readability)
9/10
Read
October 12, 2023Two unashamedly leftie working class auld fellas set off to document a number of leftwing football clubs, particularly by going to each club, talking to people involved, and trying to see a match to experience the atmosphere.
I will start with the positives. Some of this book is fascinating. The chapters on Detroit City, Red Star (of Paris, not Belgrade), Palestino and St Pauli (obvs) were the best of the bunch, the first three offering an introduction to clubs I, a major football nerd, wasn't well informed on at all, and the St Pauli chapter managing to find interesting ways to talk about a club many have heard of. I also found some of the leftist analysis and interviewing around working class men and their connections to their teams really smartly written and considered. As my mate whose copy I read says in his review, they choose to view football as a force for good and potential good rather than disdaining it as some middle class and leftist people do.
When a book doesn't quite satisfy it's always important to ask whether that's fair and if it's just that the reader is right to want more than they got. I did want more on a few fronts, some of which were on me, some on the authors. This is about leftist/working class men and football, so although I wished to see just one women's team, it's fair enough that that was out of the book's focus (although plaudits to the authors for noting the existence of some women's teams and players where relevant).
Where I think it is fair for me to feel a little like the book wasn't long enough is in the leftist analysis. In a way this reflects well on the authors: I wanted to hear more on some of the themes they picked up on. The battles had by Rayo, Cádiz and Liverpool's fans with their capitalistic owners contrasted, for me, a lot with the political apathy of Boca Juniors' fans despite their historic connection to politics. But this wasn't discussed in more detail. The individual chapters invited often very interesting pathways of thought but there wasn't a unified attempt to link the teams and the varying definitions of 'leftist club' that the authors used. It felt like there was more to say in some chapters, but time or space or resources or the pandemic (it was clearly written 2019-2022) got in the way. One of the most interesting sections was on Hapoel Tel Aviv, but it felt like they didn't get a full chapter cos the authors couldn't get there rather than because they were less leftist or less interesting than some of the clubs who got full chapters (which is fair enough, 2019-2022 in Israel wasn't as bad as right this second in 2023, but it would still have been tricky).
The travelogue/matchday reports were nice, but the some of the history bits needed to be longer, and the best chapters, on what class and football and politics mean, were saved to the end when I think they deserved to be the meat of the book.
I will start with the positives. Some of this book is fascinating. The chapters on Detroit City, Red Star (of Paris, not Belgrade), Palestino and St Pauli (obvs) were the best of the bunch, the first three offering an introduction to clubs I, a major football nerd, wasn't well informed on at all, and the St Pauli chapter managing to find interesting ways to talk about a club many have heard of. I also found some of the leftist analysis and interviewing around working class men and their connections to their teams really smartly written and considered. As my mate whose copy I read says in his review, they choose to view football as a force for good and potential good rather than disdaining it as some middle class and leftist people do.
When a book doesn't quite satisfy it's always important to ask whether that's fair and if it's just that the reader is right to want more than they got. I did want more on a few fronts, some of which were on me, some on the authors. This is about leftist/working class men and football, so although I wished to see just one women's team, it's fair enough that that was out of the book's focus (although plaudits to the authors for noting the existence of some women's teams and players where relevant).
Where I think it is fair for me to feel a little like the book wasn't long enough is in the leftist analysis. In a way this reflects well on the authors: I wanted to hear more on some of the themes they picked up on. The battles had by Rayo, Cádiz and Liverpool's fans with their capitalistic owners contrasted, for me, a lot with the political apathy of Boca Juniors' fans despite their historic connection to politics. But this wasn't discussed in more detail. The individual chapters invited often very interesting pathways of thought but there wasn't a unified attempt to link the teams and the varying definitions of 'leftist club' that the authors used. It felt like there was more to say in some chapters, but time or space or resources or the pandemic (it was clearly written 2019-2022) got in the way. One of the most interesting sections was on Hapoel Tel Aviv, but it felt like they didn't get a full chapter cos the authors couldn't get there rather than because they were less leftist or less interesting than some of the clubs who got full chapters (which is fair enough, 2019-2022 in Israel wasn't as bad as right this second in 2023, but it would still have been tricky).
The travelogue/matchday reports were nice, but the some of the history bits needed to be longer, and the best chapters, on what class and football and politics mean, were saved to the end when I think they deserved to be the meat of the book.
October 10, 2022
It's a book about football - what more do you want? It has glory, failures, points of appeal, and a few spots that could have used a softer touch. Am I talking about the teams' history or the book itself? It doesn't really matter, and that's the best part.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read and McGill takes you on an adventure across the globe to various football clubs with a thread of commonality - caring for other humans.
I know for the team I support (Detroit City FC), there were a few factors I wish were included, most pressingly NGS Cares - the service wing of the Northern Guard Supporters that does neighborhood clean-ups around the stadium throughout the year, provides basic needs to the homeless and at-risk populations twice a month, and resource drives throughout the year for various organizations, individuals, or issues. Even elections support to municipalities in our area! Similar efforts were mentioned in other chapters, which leads me to think that perhaps other teams also have service wings that were overlooked... but hey, I'm biased and ranting... and its impossible to include every detail from every club & SG in a book like this.
Well done to McGill, not only in having the adventure but in recording and sharing it with us in a well-written, comfortable manner that brings the game - and causes - we all love to us in a handheld format.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read and McGill takes you on an adventure across the globe to various football clubs with a thread of commonality - caring for other humans.
I know for the team I support (Detroit City FC), there were a few factors I wish were included, most pressingly NGS Cares - the service wing of the Northern Guard Supporters that does neighborhood clean-ups around the stadium throughout the year, provides basic needs to the homeless and at-risk populations twice a month, and resource drives throughout the year for various organizations, individuals, or issues. Even elections support to municipalities in our area! Similar efforts were mentioned in other chapters, which leads me to think that perhaps other teams also have service wings that were overlooked... but hey, I'm biased and ranting... and its impossible to include every detail from every club & SG in a book like this.
Well done to McGill, not only in having the adventure but in recording and sharing it with us in a well-written, comfortable manner that brings the game - and causes - we all love to us in a handheld format.
June 2, 2023
I'd class myself as both a lefty and a football fanatic so this book was unsurprisingly right up my street. I was expecting to know most of the clubs already but the joy of this book is that it focuses mainly on lesser known teams.
With the exception of Liverpool, St Pauli and Rayo Vallecano, the clubs featured here had rarely come on my radar, be it non-league Dulwich Hamlet or Red Star, the forgotten jewel of Parisian football.
Each chapter follows pretty much the same formula, with a potted history followed by a report from a game involving each of the teams and interaction with their hard-core support.
That makes it an easy read and it's the kind of book you can dip in and out of easily.
With the exception of Liverpool, St Pauli and Rayo Vallecano, the clubs featured here had rarely come on my radar, be it non-league Dulwich Hamlet or Red Star, the forgotten jewel of Parisian football.
Each chapter follows pretty much the same formula, with a potted history followed by a report from a game involving each of the teams and interaction with their hard-core support.
That makes it an easy read and it's the kind of book you can dip in and out of easily.
April 8, 2023
The enthusiasm the writers have for their subject shines through in their writing.
A really good mix of the usual suspects of clubs, some new ones and some ones I'd never heard of.
You get the impression that this was a project of love, but I like how they never romanticised the clubs they wrote about.
A really good mix of the usual suspects of clubs, some new ones and some ones I'd never heard of.
You get the impression that this was a project of love, but I like how they never romanticised the clubs they wrote about.
April 10, 2023
Some incredible sections about some fantastic clubs. At times I feel it veered into the politics more than it needed to but I loved discovering more about the background of such amazing fans and their clubs.
The passion of the authors for the game and their political beliefs helps create the feeling for their experiences too.
The passion of the authors for the game and their political beliefs helps create the feeling for their experiences too.
October 5, 2022
Excellent travelogue from two old lefties who don't overdo the politics and get to the nub of 11 clubs (plus a decent bench) with left-leaning sympathies. Very good on St Pauli and Cadiz (pronounced CAHdiz btw).
June 22, 2024
A book about football and left-wing politics - what more could you ask for?
It's great fun - two blokes travelling around the world, meeting left-wing football fans, getting on the piss, and enjoying a match or two.
The dream.
It's great fun - two blokes travelling around the world, meeting left-wing football fans, getting on the piss, and enjoying a match or two.
The dream.
March 18, 2023
Brilliant book that brings politics and football to life and together by never forgetting that people are at the heart of both - fantastic
January 4, 2025
Loved how they called out St. Pauli for there stance on Zionism. I think I would have liked to see OM & Celtic in XI instead of the bench!
October 16, 2023
Brilliant read. Pleasantly surprised to learn about the number of football clubs across the world with left wing histories and supporters. Also rate the concept of travelling around, pissing it up and having it large with loads of leftist football fans. Could have been more analytical on the football scenes of some countries but we can’t have it all.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews