Casuals United was a far-right British protest group. The group was closely affiliated with the

English Defence League The English Defence League (EDL) is a far-right, Islamophobic organisation in the United Kingdom. A social movement and pressure group that employs street demonstrations as its main tactic, the EDL presents itself as a single-issue movement ...

. The group described itself as "Uniting the UK's Football Tribes against the

Jihadists Jihadism is a neologism which is used in reference to "militant Islamic movements that are perceived as existentially threatening to the West" and "rooted in political Islam."Compare: Appearing earlier in the Pakistani and Indian media, Wes ...

", and as "an alliance of British Football Casuals of various colours/races who have come together in order to create a massive, but peaceful protest group to force our Government to get their act in gear." Casuals United was organised around several British football teams' supporters. A leading organiser of Casuals United was Joe Marsh of

Barry Barry may refer to: People and fictional characters * Barry (name), including lists of people with the given name, nickname or surname, as well as fictional characters with the given name * Dancing Barry, stage name of Barry Richards (born c. 19 ...

, South Wales, a former member of the Soul Crew football

hooligan firm Hooligan firms (also known as football firms) are groups that participate in football hooliganism in European countries. For groups in Latin America, see barra brava and torcida organizada. Belgium * Club Brugge – East Side *RSC Anderlecht ...

. He has said: "Hooligans from rival clubs are uniting on this and it is like a ready-made army ... We are protesting against the preachers of hate who are actively encouraging young Muslims in this country to take part in a jihad against Britain."

History

Casuals United were formed in reaction to protests by some Muslims in

Luton Luton () is a town and unitary authority with borough status, in Bedfordshire, England. At the 2011 census, the Luton built-up area subdivision had a population of 211,228 and its built-up area, including the adjacent towns of Dunstable a ...

, reportedly organised by the Islamist group Al-Muhajiroun, against a parade of members of the 2nd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment returning from fighting in the war in Afghanistan in March 2009. Social networking sites such as

Facebook Facebook is an online social media and social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with fellow Harvard College students and roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Mosk ...

have been used to coordinate protests in London, Luton and Birmingham. In July 2009 the group picketed an Islamic roadshow in London. Casuals United were one of four groups which were prevented from taking part in unofficial marches after

Luton Borough Council Luton Borough Council (also known as LBC, or Luton Council) is the local authority of Luton, England. It is a unitary authority, having the powers of a non-metropolitan county and district council combined. It is a member of the East of England ...

applied for a banning order under the

Public Order Act Public Order Act (with its variations) is a stock short title used for legislation in Malaysia, Rhodesia, Sierra Leone, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, relating to public order offences. List Hong Kong *The ...

. In August 2009 the group staged a protest in Birmingham. More protests along with the English Defence League took place in Manchester, Leeds, Stoke, Bolton and Dudley. Leader of Casuals United Joe Marsh was jailed in August 2015 by Southwark Magistrates for a violent assault on a woman on an anti-cuts demonstration. The woman with a history of violence and drug abuse went to attack Joe Marsh and in defending himself, she fell down some steps. Casuals United was disbanded in 2014, and some members went on to form the Pie and Mash Squad, using the phrase "pie and mash" as

cockney rhyming slang Rhyming slang is a form of slang word construction in the English language. It is especially prevalent among Cockneys in England, and was first used in the early 19th century in the East End of London; hence its alternative name, Cockney rhymin ...

for "fash", short for fascist. A contributor to ''

Vice News Vice News (stylized as VICE News) is Vice Media's current affairs channel, producing daily documentary essays and video through its website and YouTube channel. It promotes itself on its coverage of "under-reported stories". Vice News was create ...

'' in an article opines these groups were part of an English far-right "war" on anti-fascist football

ultras Ultras are a type of association football fans who are renowned for their fanatical support. The term originated in Italy, but is used worldwide to describe predominantly organised fans of association football teams. The behavioural tende ...

whom they state form most of the fans of

Clapton F.C. Clapton Football Club is a football club based in Plaistow, East London. The club are currently members of the and play at the Terence McMillan Stadium in Plaistow following their 2019 eviction from their long-term home, the Old Spotted Do ...

from 2014 to 2016 and "wave those flags" which there are FA rules prohibiting if political — they add "before the Ultras started going to games the club had an average attendance of around 25. Recent home games have seen hundreds turn up to the club's ground". The article continued that the Pie and Mash facebook page uses the taunt of "silly antifa twats" and was "coordinating protests against various left-wing non-footballing events in the coming months, so maybe the football pitch is just one battle-ground in a wider war".

References

External links

* {{UK far right Football hooliganism in the United Kingdom Anti-Islam sentiment in the United Kingdom English Defence League Far-right politics in the United Kingdom 2009 establishments in England 2014 disestablishments in England

History

References

Further reading

External links