Claret, blues and bubbly

Interview: Cliff Caswell
Picture: Steve Dock

TO his foster parents and legion of friends, Cass Pennant was the best man you could know – loyal to the point that he would risk everything to defend you in the line of fire.

But for those who found themselves in his bad books, the very appearance of this human tank of a football hooligan was enough to inspire fear in the hardest of foes. In the thick of stadium violence in the 1970s and 80s, Pennant’s reputation made him the scourge of opponents, police and politicians alike.

But, after two spells in prison, surviving a stabbing, being shot three times and beaten within an inch of his life, the former leader of West Ham’s Inter City Firm (ICF) discovered the pen is truly mightier than the sword.
Renouncing his violent past, he has become a successful writer with a string of acclaimed books to his name.

His autobiography, Cass, has just been made into a film and he is in demand as a speaker from universities to prisons. Still a faithful Hammers fan, he is also a huge supporter of the Armed Forces.
“There has always been a strong backing for the military from the terraces and from the football websites,” the 50-year-old said. “So there should be – soldiers are our boys and belong in the real world. History will decide whether the politics behind Iraq or Afghanistan were right, but we should always support our soldiers. Every person, every government department and politician, whether Liberal, Labour or Conservative, should be behind them and proud to show it.”

While Pennant has never donned a uniform, he has seen some serious action in his life. Given up for adoption by his natural mother and fostered by an elderly couple, Doll and Cecil Chambers, he had to learn to handle himself after becoming a target for racist attacks while growing up in London’s East End. Football – and West Ham United – became an escape and a regular part of the youngster’s social scene, but he was drawn into the fights between rival fans that plagued English football in the 1970s and 80s.

After he became leader of the ICF – named after the Inter City trains the fans used to travel to away games – his notoriety attracted interest from rival gangs and the authorities.

“One of the things that really hit home during those years of violence was the fact that we were dubbed mindless thugs and scum of the earth,” Pennant recalled. “The stereotype of the ICF was that we were far right, which was not the case; nor were we skinheads or boozers and our culture was anti-drugs. When the Falklands War came along in 1982, because of our ages some people started comparing us with the soldiers who were fighting in the South Atlantic. Here you had two distinct groups of young males on two different paths – one serving a purpose that suited the government of the time, and the other that was completely negative to it.”

As the battle raged for the Falklands, Pennant’s forays were frequently landing him in trouble. With the courts under pressure to make an example of hooligans, he found himself behind bars on two occasions as a result of contacts with rival firms. But it was during his long spells inside that he discovered he enjoyed reading and writing.

Having taken his first steps in putting pen to paper about his experiences fighting on the terraces, he set about changing his life on his release.

He turned his attention to the London club scene and forged a reputation as an effective and professional leader of a firm of door staff. But the past caught up with him when he was recognised by an old opponent and gunned down.

Left fighting for his life in hospital, Pennant miraculously clawed his way back to full physical health only to find that his nightmare was just beginning. The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder soon became obvious and he admitted that he had huge sympathy with troops suffering from the condition.

“I had been asked if I wanted to see a quack while I was still in hospital,” Pennant said. “But I assumed that this meant people in white coats so I discharged myself. In the end I had to go and see somebody simply to keep my own family together. It worked and I’m sure that many soldiers will also have found that, while you find it difficult to share your experiences with the people closest to you, it is possible to tell a stranger.”

Fully recovered, Pennant rediscovered his writing talents, immersing himself in telling his story. Forming his own publishing company, Pennant Books, he has since enjoyed huge success in his work, which hit a new high with the release of Cass (SEE MOVIES).

The ex-hooligan has also been receiving acclaim as a public speaker and has won special praise for visiting inmates in jail to explain how writing changed his life.

“When I was locked up there was a man who kept throwing books at me, but back then I felt it was unmanly to read,” Pennant added. “I remember him educating me that reading was the only time in prison that you could be free. He was right. A book is not only powerful, it can be a life-changing experience.”

We have three signed copies of Cass’s autobiography to give away. To stand a chance of winning one, tell us at which ground West Ham United play their home matches? Answers by post or email (comps@soldiermagazine.co.uk). Usual rules apply. Closing date is July 31.