When Irvine Welsh’s book Trainspotting was turned into a must see film in 1996, another cult classic was soon making its way into print. That book was called The Football Factory, penned by Londoner John King.
Now, its obviously a football book but you don’t need to be a football fan (which I ain’t) to enjoy it. In fact, its the otherside of the game - the hooligan side, who travel around the country,on the… and always ready for a fight.
The books main character, Tommy Johnson, is the sort of person that we all see around; likes his beer, has an eye for the ladies, hates his job but has to fund his violent hobby and cocaine habit.
But there’s a more human side to the story; the people from another generation, those who went through the Second World War that began to die (Albert Moss) and the hopeless feeling felt by others (Bill Farrel, though known as Mr Farrel here. His full name is mentioned in the other two books in the serious - Headhunters and England Away).
Eight years after Trainspotting, this cult classic was turned into a film by Nick Love, and Danny Dyer as Tommy. As the old saying goes, the book is always better than the film and it apllies here, but Love touches all the main key parts of King’s book, and on top that, its a grin as well as frightning.
The only gripe is that Love could have used some of the black characters in the book, so it wasn’t all white.
Either way, they’re both worth checking out. Also, check out John King’s other books, Human Punk and The Prison House - both worth a read.
Posted on Wed, 10 November 2004 at 10:37
