Abstract
This article discusses the author’s personal experiences as joint-leader of the West Perth Football Club cheer squad (hardcore support) in the Western Australian Football League (WAFL) competition from 1984-86. It is important social and sporting history set in the WAFL’s golden era just before the 1987 introduction of West Coast Eagles FC into the new national league competition (Australian Football League) forever relegated the WAFL to a second-tier league. Using Marsh’s (1978) theory of the “illusion of violence,” the author links his hardcore supporter group to the sociological literature on English and Australian soccer hooliganism. The article also, for comparative purposes, includes interview responses from leaders of the MCF hooligan firm at Melbourne Knights Soccer Club interviewed by the author in January 2011. The article includes a previously unpublished account of near-violence at a Swan Districts versus West Perth WAFL match in 1985.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
