Undercover Cop On Infiltrating Notorious Football Gang | Extraordinary Lives Podcast | @LADbible
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2024
- In this episode, former police officer James Bannon sat down this us to share his story of infiltrating a British football hooligan firm. James spent two and a half years undercover with the infamous hooligans of London-based football team Millwall, during the height of football violence in England in the late 1980s.
James' story was adapted into the 1995 film 'I.D.'
Warning: this episode contains content you may find distressing.
We speak to people with a unique life story to tell. From a North Korea escapee to an undercover cop, a Cold War spy to a shipwreck survivor. Hosted by LADbible's Ben-Powell Jones, this series is a window into remarkable experiences - with stories that paint a picture of extraordinary lives.
With thanks to James Bannon for taking part.
James' book is available here - www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
James' Twitter - / runningwiththef
Host: Ben Powell-Jones, Twitter: @BenPowellJones
00:00 - 00:55 - Intro
00:55 - 06:18 - Early Police Career
06:18 - 20:01 - Going Undercover
20:01 - 26:10 - Joining Millwall's Inner Circle
26:10 - 31:31 - Most Dangerous Moment
31:31 - 36:22 - Cover Nearly Being Blown
36:22 - 41:49 - Life Undercover
41:49 - 47:57 - Abrupt End to the Operation
47:57 - 51:02 - Life After The Police
51:02 - 55:20 - I.D. Film
55:20 - 56:52 - Life Lesson
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To license this video please email: licensing@ladbiblegroup.com - Розваги
With thanks to James Bannon for taking part.
James' book is available here - www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CZ7OBO2/
James' Twitter - twitter.com/runningwiththef
Piiiig shiiiiiiiit
Kkyikffk
68j88y
I find it impossible to digest how the courts will jail a football hooligan for up to 7 years for fighting with men who also want to fight but give 18 month sentences to predators who harm innocent children
I've never understood the concept of that part either. Someone gets out their motor and comes towards you, they've given consent to a fight. You get out, you've also given consent to a fight. Suddenly you're charged with all sorts of shit. Fighting is one of the most natural and primal things we do.
@@-j308 a lot of the judges are pedoes
Absolutely, the sentencing and conviction rates are appalling for sex offences in the UK, on another point sometimes a fellas getting out the car to de-escalate a situation not necessarily to fight!
@@mrnice7570 I can honestly suggest not to do this. Maybe up north you can swing it, but in London getting out of your car during a road rage incident is an invitation, at this moment you have an option as the driver who is last out, stay put and be hit in your seat/be at a serious disadvantage or get out now. If both of you are out of the car, just to have a little shouting match, why bother embarrassing yourself? Not once have I ever thought someone jumping out of their car during road rage could possibly be to de-escalate the situation. Could be I'm the problem though 🤷
@@-j308 could be that having a mindset that believes posturing and violence is a good method of conflict resolution is the problem after all. When did rational human beings stop being rational at least in the initial stage of any form of incident. Weakness reacts. Strength seeks at least at first to understand
This bloke gives off vibes that deep down he actually enjoyed his time being a hooligan and being undercover was a free pass
I read his book and can confirm he definitely seemed to love it!
In what way
Read the book and he will tell you just that
Who wouldn't enjoy it ?
Watch the film ID . It’s based on his book and based on his character you’ll see how much he apparently enjoyed it
"I wouldn't wanna be you when Jim finds out" is one of the best podcast moments I have seen. And I watched a lot of those. I am so glad I watched the whole interview. You folks are doing amazing work! Keep it up
GUMBO - If you know, you know 😉
@@pcraig1991”wait till John hears this”
This guy’s a good interviewer, asking follow up questions that get deeper into the issue. 👏👏👏👏
What other kind of questions are there?
Agree. I've seen other you tubers miss great opportunities to delve. He's very smart and interesting to watch.
The way he says "yeaaaaah.. but it was Arsenal away.."
Absolutely great interview.
I knew an Everton fan who moved to London to join the Met he was a thug he hated West Ham cos they beat us in the FAC semi final in 1980. He got a massive buzz being at Upton Park on duty beating up the fans. He was the biggest football hooligan I ever knew
Great interview!
I love how this man conducts the interviews. So many hosts overtalk, cutoff, or dont let the guest fully expand upon a single thought. The best interviews just flow and the guest can just expand on a single thought or story before moving on to the next question. He leads the guest thrn backs off, then hops in with a reaction or new question. Far to often these hosts will ask 1 thing then cut the guest off and ask something else before the gues can truly expand upon the initial thought
Jim's book is top class. He really captures the pain he felt deceiving people he came to consider as friends. It does have me thinking did Millwall allow him in knowing he would become addicted? No other undercover team got as deep as his team did.
Just watched all of it ,bravo, thank you
Amazing interview...
ID.. Great Film :-)
I started watching this and thought "this sounds like a film I watched".
Never knew
Not being born till 88 I actually by chance came across the book before the film. Found it at work shifting through papers in a newspaper recycling plant.
Saw the cover thought it looked interesting, took it home and read it, loved it. I’m not a huge book reader usually but I’d definitely recommend, it’s pretty much how it is this interview. Very blunt tone to the book and very descriptive to the point where you can imagine yourself there with him. Also what I like about the book is he doesn’t hold back on what he thought and felt at each point. It’s a refreshingly very frank account of a story.
There were one or two other things in the book that I found equally interesting that weren’t mentioned in this interview like the effect of the intensity and complexity of his double life had on his relationship with his mrs and also when he started getting close to one of the barmaids whilst undercover and having to keep up the pretence of being James the hooligan. It’s a good read and I would definitely recommend.
Still not seen the film but know it’s called ID. Actually bought it and started watching it once. Couldn’t really get into the film though tbh but I know a lot of people like it
The thing they saw in him was youth,no one is going to suspect a 19 year old as an undercover cop
Most probation coppers will be just out of college ie 18/19. So yes they saw youth but other characteristics as well
Great interview. Loved the part about not being able to read or write... brilliant 😂
I knew a Met copper who had tried to infiltrate the Millwall firm around that time. He ended up knee capped and forcibly retired instantly. He died 2 years ago, barely into his sixties, having suffered decades of agony and limited movement. A dangerous game indeed.
"Trev & John...painter & decorators"
Bit more chips than yesterday darling!Cheeky so and so!!
I've been listening to these at work almost every day since last week and they are brilliant! However Ben the interviewer is so beautifully nieve he adds comedy value to this.
Wish I had a job like yours 😂 only a joke m8
I thought ID was a fictional film based on hooligans! Cracking movie too
I fucking love you Gumbo
I knew it was real but how did they get the clothing so wrong ud think it was fantasy
Shadwell army!!
I really enjoyed this interview, and James seems like a really chilled guy after everything he has experienced
He's chilled from watching a certain film back in the day! Jackanory at its best 😂
Great interview on a fascinating subject. Those of us alive today who grew up in relative affluence forget that, for people that grew up in poor working class environments, violence was part of their lives. Most didn't go looking for it but wouldn't back down if challenged. Modern day men have had that civilised out of us but that natural instinct still lurks underneath.
It's gone from some. Not all, by a long way.
You're living on a different planet if you think that has gone. Violence is very much a part of life for many.
Just a quickish run down.. In one smallish Firm A Brickie, Stonemason, Undertaker, Counsellor, Accountant, physiotherapist,
Registrar, Dentist, Shop Owner, Shop Workers, Restaurant Owner, Chef, Publican, Teachers, Wedding Photographer, Indie Musician, Indie Band Kennels Owner Recording Studios Owner
Authors
Miners
Just a Snap Shot of Working Class 1980 - 1990 Great Britain
Hardly Thatchers Working Class Britain
Something else Thatcher and The Police 'Force being the operative word' Forces. up and down the land got so badly wrong..and are still who will they blame the next thing wrong ?
@@I_Don_t_want_a_handletrue semi retired
Regarding the story of the crystal palace fan, attacking normal fans was seen as well against the rules, it proved nothing, brought unnecessary attention and was really frowned upon and seen as bullying
Yeah you never touch the scarfers
no matter what the undercover cop said about this incident, he is a piece of shit. dont ever justify that shit with your cover.
Showed to me that the officer hadn't done his research. He should have known that this is an important rule and he could have stepped in without it looking suspicious.
@@mdg1867 But at the same time are you really gonna stand up to a crazy cunt who just socked a random innocent guy in the face in front of his family
Love the Lomg form interviews ❤
Clever fella 🙏🏽 great stories.....have you written a book? I'd buy it
It's called Running with the firm, released in 2013 as stated in the description.
@@Millwall77 Ah, I think I've heard of it...I'm in my last year of university doing a BA in creative and professional writing 🙏🏽 mature student who never did school...wish me luck..I'll buy your book ✌🏽
I worked in a pub in Piccadilly during the height of hooliganism in England.
In walk a bunch of guys, rowdy and hyped up for the match.
A couple of them wearing long jackets.
During the time they were there I saw them showing each other the "weapons" they had brought with them.... I'll never forget seeing one guy with a broom handle, cut down to about 30cm with nails sticking out of it.... unreal ❗❗
So this is the guys they made the film ID about. 😁
"He can't read or write and you're accusing him of being old bill?!"
Genius!
And the black player bit is in ID Shadwell army lol x
You cant read or write how did you become a police officer. He made it up for cover. Oh oh lol Wally pmsl x
I fucking love you Gumbo
Intense, Revealing, Eye-Opening. Really inspiring story!
I encountered uncovers in my late 80s time in that life, certainly the ones I met were 100% committed (or alternatively just loved it) they got fully involved in incidents in every way
same for me but in the 90s. they were as part of it as we were. and then sat in court explaining how bad the people they were alongside were. they were just as bad. they had to be or we'd've known they were OB.
Whilst trying to get you nicked after standing side by side.
@@redflag8970 yeah you know it, absolute mugs all of them
Interesting listening to him talk, how he's naturally quite cautious with information. I don't think he's being intentionally difficult, it's just how he's wired. Effective for the job he did I'm sure.
I really like James' interviews but I'm constantly hoping he tells some other stories that are different from the palace fan on the train and being in the arsenal north bank. I know they're highlights but I think a second part or something would be great and would probably end up with stories that haven't been told before. Another great interview though regardless, he's fascinating.
Oh this is what ID’s based on.
Fair play!
I never knew this either. First watched the film in the late 1990's and only just found out! 🤣
One of the best films.
I think they did a film on this called ID in the 90s. Shadwell town so not to name Millwall, pub landlord same back story, great movie.
I getting the vibes of the film I.D.
I never even realise that the film ID was a true story mostly anyway.I fucking love you gumbo 😂
Just stay away from the sequal as its shit.
@@kermitfrog76ify Same! I'm questioning this guys authenticity...
Ha ha fing love you gumbo. I only just watched ID again the other day. Brilliant movie that ID. The film is on you tube some one down loaded it.
@@scottandrewhorne4655 Another good film was The Firm with Gary Oldman. YETIIIIIIII!!!!!!!
@@SexyGuv77 Fighting scenes are rubbish
Absolutely riveting interview - this guy is awesome I think. ‘ but it’s Arsenal away’ - what a great response 🙃 yes . 15 crazy millwall in the north bank - is the stuff of legend, awesome. Imagine having to pretend to be illiterate for 18 months . Extraordinary. Is there a book ? - I would absolutely get that . Haven’t got to the end yet but wow what a story… I remember what it was like back then , as a teenager 1975 I was 16 - just an ordinary part time football hooligan - there’s something that just pulls you in. I never wanted to hurt anyone - and was no ‘headhunter’ or whatever. That story of the guy on the train with his family is heartbreaking - a cowardly act as he was with his family. I was young and am not now, what I was then. Peace 🕉️ 💙
What a career path to take…. It’s crazy really 😮
He looks like Matt Pritchard from Dirty Sanchez
ID! Down to the "can't read" story! Interesting seeing this
I can't believe almost nobody in the comments seems to know this ...
ID, quality film . As he was talking I was thinking.of the film. Mad how its based on real life. If you haven't seen it you must..
I was in crowd at Bradford city when they filmed the arrest on pitch side. Got told over the tannoy the shout abuse at him 😂
I lived in and around the den in a tower block called archer tower. Loved my childhood round there and going to childerek school. Yes I’m a millwall fan 💯❤️
Half way through I was thinking this sounds like ID.... then later on the penny downs.. brave man at his age and to see the film was based on this man ... wow
Penny drops
@@gossipmongersaunt774 chees bro.. thought i did write that .....maybe predictive text kicked in.. Cracking film , even better its a true story
There is something about this that’s really depressing and explains a lot of the reasons why the met is in the mess it is…..depressing
No mate not at all the met is in the shit it is in because they have EMPLOYED a load of Cs ok with no respect no moral compass and are all about their ego and ego is controlled by the devil and they are all about the pension fund.
Brilliant story, the book was a fantastic read, Jim must have ball's the size of King kongs
This guy literally is the I.D script, wow man
I've loved that film since I first saw it in the late 1990s. Only today did I find out that it was based on real people!
ID, Shadwell Army , one Terry Edwards, there's only one Terry Edwards 😂
The Kennel is our place!!
We are Shadwell, The Kenell is our place, Shadwell never, ever, ever, shall lose face!
I fackinh love you Gumbo
Very loosely
I work as security and when millwall are playing they double the police and security 😂
Your stories are very similar to scenes in the film I.D from 1995 like the decorating story and also the snooker game story about reading and writing
His story base of the film.
"Bit of braver and stuff " , enough said .
Question: what makes this guy better or different than the hooligans he was trying to infiltrate, if he was doing the same things they were?
He was gathering intelligence with a view to arresting them
Its fascinating to watch these two trying to communicate across the generation gap.
Bannon doesn’t give much away in his answers, maybe because he assumes things should be obvious, or maybe he’s reluctant to spell it all out for the kid. It feels awkward but makes the interviewer pry for explanations, so we lean in for more.
Bannon’s generation honed a different set of skills to survive in a world younger people can only imagine, relying on memory and wit to be accepted socially, having awareness of your surroundings without mobile technology and surveillance, no procedures manual or OH&S built into every part of our lives..
The self reliance, the attitude that if no one else is showing me, I’d better figure it out for myself.
This bloke is a tough interview!
Ex police 😂
Ex undercover police at that.
@@greybouquet03 True
40:40 where James is asked whether he told his 'friends and best mates' whether he was an uncover football hooligan, his body language reveals he's either very uncomfortable or lying in answering the question. Notice how he strokes the back of his neck, looks upwards and eyes darting rapidly from right to left, blushes slightly and there's a long pause and an 'errrm' before he answers...he's filling an uncomfortable gap with non-verbal communication body language.
In psychology of body language where a person gives away subconscious non-verbal communication like this it can often be a tell sign someone isn't being entirely honest with themselves or the person they're speaking to. Touching the face, hair, and back stroking like he does here are a classic tell-tale sign (where that's not seen consistently or often when someone is talking, ie a sudden deviation from baseline). It's nearly always a subconscious form of self-reassurance before or during a lie. All through answering that question you see further self-reassuring signs, stroking back of his leg, his knee, and some shifting around in his seat.
I'm not saying James was deliberately lying or being honest, but he certainly wasn't at all comfortable with that question and doesn't know how to answer it. Perhaps because when your life is based around a lie and deception, it's difficult to remember who you told what to and he's put on the spot with that question and can't give a definitive answer as he probably had to compartmentalise his life into friends he could tell and friends he couldn't and had to lie to. And he maybe feels bad for lying to some of his friends.
Even how someone looks upwards (and which direction) tells psychologists whether a person is answering truthfully or dishonestly as we know from how they look which area of the brain is being accessed, whether its present or past memory function accessing.
Thanks for you true story mucka fing heck iit is very intresting thats for sure. I just couldnt do what you done as I just cant and wont lie.
There's a movie about this movie called "ID" so violent so scary to see that world and the story is quite tame compared to the real story this guy tells
Was the film I.D. Loosely based on this guy ? cos the fruit machine part is exactly the same in the movie ..... chagwell army hahaha
Book is a lot better than movie
'It ain`t my blood, it`s someone else`s'!!
They made a film about this, called I'd, brilliant hooligan film👍
"I'm going to make sure I do something that nobody tells me what I can't do, hmmm.... I'll become an actor" 🙈🤣
If only they put that much effort, time and money into stopping grooming gangs and drug pushers.
Just another way of hiding from real work (crime) and far less dangerous.
What I about school vs school in the 80s 1k against 1k. The good thing is that many people fighting you get hit maybe 10 time's if that.
'Got elevated' a cop😂
This guy is describing scenes & situations, similar to those in the film I.D., with Reece Dinsdale and Warren Clarke. Anybody noticed??
Yea, that might have something to do with that the movie is based on his life....
@@Millwall77😂
Brother you were in it come on mucka. Gumbo you have blossomed mate pmsl. i cant believe the change in you mucka lol. I fing love you Gumbo pmsl x Good On You Mucka you seem a Good Un. God Bless You James Amen xxxxxxx And God Bless Your Earthly Life Time And Earthly Family Amen xxxxxxx
Watch the film ,I'd, great film,this sounds like it could of being based on this man,so worth watching
Sounds like the film I.D. Shadwell army
Like this😊
Based on id film which is brilliant.
this is the film I.D.
Did James get any writing/development payment for ID?
The original John Brandon (Reece Dinsdale) from ID (1995) except he never enjoyed the hooliganism
Sounds like the film ID
rolls along nice. (He does look a bit like Harry Enfield in disguise though.)
That part about not being able to read or write is part of the plot to ID. That's a bit odd. 1995 British film about exactly what this guy is talking about. Infiltrating football hooliganism undercover. Oh, wrote that before the last few minutes. Turns out I am right!!
So the film I.D. really is based on Mr Bannons life undercover! I never knew the film was a true story!
I highly recommend `I.D.` (1995) its a great film about just how dodgy it musta been goin undercover in a group of fight loving hooligans. Listening to this they got the story pretty much spot on (minus the drug abuse id guess)
That is the least copper like copper I have ever seen.
If you told me he was a former top boy at Millwall in the 80's? Id absolutely fuckin believe it. Without a moments hesitation.
Pmsl
He wasn't a top boy ever. Not really known at all.
@@declanshanahan3888 well no cause he was a copper😂
This is 100% the film 'I.D.'.
His story sound's like the film id
well i was almost convinced until the waffle but taking the home end at highbury...
Shadwell Army!!!
The story he told about not being able to read an write was a seen in a football hooligan film id
He came up against the Whealdstone Raider and quit the job the same day
the movie i.d was deffo made on this guys story
Orpington is not a million miles from New Cross/Millwall territory - amazed the Police would have had the guy go back to driving a police car there.
You're going down regardless of the result today. 😂😂😂
"Shadwell till I die!"
I'd love to ask Jim, if he saw Britains club culture and house music saw a quelling of football hooliganism for a time in the early to late 90s ? I believe Jim has irish roots , Bannon , either Longford ,Cavan or middle to border area of Ireland, ......he is a decent bloke , i have good time for his character ,apologies if i doubted the content ...and/or its sources
The whole not being able to read and write thing they used in the film ID
What is a hooligan? I'm from the states and I just can't wrap my mind around a violent group of people, conducting themselves essentially as a gang but based around a football team? Are they more than just violent drunks? Like deal drugs, do break ins, illegal gambling? What makes someone a hooligan? Thx for any answers.
A hooligan or firm is a group of men who support the same football team and fight with other firms from other football teams, they do it for fun and the kudos of getting one over on the opposition. Try googling the ICF or Inter City Firm which was West Ham's firm, they got their name from the train that took them to the away matches i.e. Inter City Train.
Their normally quite organised and wear designer clothes like Burberry, they love a drink and a snort of cocaine and just love fighting at the weekend. Look out for a film called 'Football Factory'.
I hope this helps ?
A violent troublemaker.
Violent drunks is exactly what they were/are.They are doing it "just for the crack"! There maybe criminal elements but they will also be hard working, 9 to 5 blokes who "have a tear up" at the weekend". It's a tribal thing. Hope that helps! I've left in the hooligan colloquialism for you to Google for translation 😃
Group of regular lads generally all from around the area where the club is. Probably have regular trade or 9-5 jobs in week and just go to the football together get drunk and if they bump into the other group like this from the other team probably have a punch up😂
Some of them might be up to no good in the week n some of them will be chill people generally. It’s just like a day out going across the country with your mates. Generally try and avoid trouble with people not there for the same reasons as them but there’s always a few who don’t follow that (like in here the guy attacking the civilian Crystal Palace fan)
A hooligan is a "soccer" fan with a very low level of intellect. They struggle with life in general and have very little interest in anything else other than drinking lots of alcohol and fighting each other and then boasting about it. Absolutely tragic to be honest.
He looks AND sounds just like Andy Serkis!
Football hooligans are funny grown men going to football just to go fighting 😂
44:55 “panda car” this is one cultural appropriation that I find very amusing.
Will the youth of today even know what a panda car is???
The older model of the car was originally called Panda.
ID still the best football hooligan film
Wow, this was such an eye-opening interview! I had no idea what it was like to be an undercover cop infiltrating football hooligans. James Bannon is a legend for doing that at such a young age. He must have some crazy stories to tell. I especially liked the part where he said he never went down in a fight, even when he was outnumbered and outmatched. That takes some serious guts and skill. Respect! 👏
This podcast is always delivering amazing content with extraordinary guests. I love how they ask the questions that we all want to know the answers to. Keep up the good work, LADbible! You guys are awesome! 😍
What do you think is the most dangerous situation James Bannon ever faced in his undercover work? Share your thoughts below and let’s have a discussion. 🔥
Wonder if all these years later someone from Millwall recognises him
Nah but he'd be recognised down the rock 😂
If you've seen the film ID...everything he just said happens in this