Gangster podcast

Gangster

Former boxing champion and proud Evertonian Tony Bellew delves into the brutal world of football hooliganism. At its height in the 1970s and 1980s, it was labelled ‘the English Disease,’ a time when violence on the terraces was as much a part of the game as a half-time Bovril. Bellew hears from those who lived for the trouble, the men and women whose Saturdays weren’t complete without a brutal punch-up. He speaks to the innocent victims caught up in the mayhem, the families of those who lost their lives at the hands of thugs, and the undercover police officers who risked everything to infiltrate some of England’s most notorious firms. He also explores how government crackdowns, tougher laws, and the introduction of all-seater stadiums helped bring an end to widespread hooliganism. Presenter: Tony Bellew Series Producer: Emma Forde Producer: Patrick Kiteley Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Development Producer: Holly Clemens Production Co-ordinator: Ellie Dover Assistant Commissioner: Lorraine Okuefuna & Sarah Green Commissioning Editor: Louise Kattenhorn Editor and Executive Producer: Carl Johnston

Former boxing champion and proud Evertonian Tony Bellew delves into the brutal world of football hooliganism. At its height in the 1970s and 1980s, it was labelled ‘the English Disease,’ a time when violence on the terraces was as much a part of the game as a half-time Bovril. Bellew hears from those who lived for the trouble, the men and women whose Saturdays weren’t complete without a brutal punch-up. He speaks to the innocent victims caught up in the mayhem, the families of those who lost their lives at the hands of thugs, and the undercover police officers who risked everything to infiltrate some of England’s most notorious firms. He also explores how government crackdowns, tougher laws, and the introduction of all-seater stadiums helped bring an end to widespread hooliganism. Presenter: Tony Bellew Series Producer: Emma Forde Producer: Patrick Kiteley Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Development Producer: Holly Clemens Production Co-ordinator: Ellie Dover Assistant Commissioner: Lorraine Okuefuna & Sarah Green Commissioning Editor: Louise Kattenhorn Editor and Executive Producer: Carl Johnston

 

#61

Hooligans 4. Collateral Damage

With firms doing battle up and down the country, it was only a matter of time before innoc... more

28 Mar 2025

27 MINS

27:22

28 Mar 2025


#60

Hooligans 3. Riots and Reputations

In the aftermath of the Heysel tragedy, Margaret Thatcher declared war on the hooligans. I... more

21 Mar 2025

23 MINS

23:32

21 Mar 2025


#59

Hooligans 2. The Darkest Night

1985 saw some of the biggest and bloodiest hooligan riots in British football history. In ... more

14 Mar 2025

26 MINS

26:05

14 Mar 2025


#58

Hooligans 1. A Different Ball Game

What turns a fan into a fighter? When faced with a choice, do you turn and run, or stand a... more

07 Mar 2025

27 MINS

27:38

07 Mar 2025


#57

Gangster Presents... Hooligans

Former boxing champion and proud Evertonian Tony Bellew delves into the brutal world of fo... more

04 Mar 2025

03 MINS

03:14

04 Mar 2025


#56

The Daniels and the Lyons: 6. The Glasgow Smile

A brutal attack on a Daniel family member results in lengthy jail sentences for a number o... more

31 Dec 2024

26 MINS

26:43

31 Dec 2024


#55

The Daniels and the Lyons: 5. The Pushchair Assassin

After his public assassination in a supermarket car park, the hunt for Gerbil's killers be... more

24 Dec 2024

26 MINS

26:34

24 Dec 2024


#54

The Daniels and the Lyons: 4. The Digger

Gerbil is recruited for a kidnapping plot which doesn't go to plan. Meanwhile, he continue... more

17 Dec 2024

26 MINS

26:52

17 Dec 2024


#53

The Daniels and the Lyons: 3. Pay the Piper

Gerbil is on the warpath after being seriously injured in a drive-by shooting. What follow... more

10 Dec 2024

29 MINS

29:25

10 Dec 2024


#52

The Daniels and the Lyons: 2. Ollie and Mr Green

As Jamie Daniels' drug empire continues to grow, a violent feud begins with a rival crime ... more

03 Dec 2024

30 MINS

30:54

03 Dec 2024


#51

The Daniels and the Lyons: 1. King of the Jungle

Jamie Daniel begins his rise from the tough streets of Possil in north Glasgow - first as ... more

03 Dec 2024

33 MINS

33:30

03 Dec 2024


#50

Introducing Gangster: The Story of the Daniels and the Lyons

A bloody and bitter feud between two of Glasgow's most notorious crime families which has ... more

02 Dec 2024

02 MINS

02:56

02 Dec 2024


#49

Viv Graham: 6. Legacy

It’s New Year’s Day 1994 and Tyneside is waking up to the news of Viv Graham’s brutal murd... more

28 Jun 2024

33 MINS

33:03

28 Jun 2024


#48

Viv Graham: 5. Three Shots

Viv Graham is released from prison following a vicious assault on rival bouncer Stu Watson... more

21 Jun 2024

26 MINS

26:31

21 Jun 2024


#47

Viv Graham: 4. Door Wars

It’s the summer of 1989 and the atmosphere on Tyneside is febrile. The economy is shrinkin... more

14 Jun 2024

28 MINS

28:17

14 Jun 2024


#46

Viv Graham: 3. Ecstasy and Enemies

Viv Graham is right at the peak of his powers. After starting as a nightclub doorman in Ga... more

07 Jun 2024

26 MINS

26:37

07 Jun 2024


#45

Viv Graham: 2. Whack ’Em and Catch ’Em

Viv Graham, a young man from the country, is about to land in the city and make a very big... more

31 May 2024

31 MINS

31:03

31 May 2024


#44

Viv Graham: 1. King of the Ring

On New Year's Eve 1993, Viv Graham, a 17-stone man mountain, stepped out of a Tyneside pub... more

24 May 2024

23 MINS

23:43

24 May 2024


#43

Introducing Gangster: The Story of Viv Graham

A new series of Gangster tells the story of Viv Graham, a man who ran a protection empire ... more

20 May 2024

04 MINS

04:05

20 May 2024


#42

Catching the Kingpins: 6. Final Reckoning

The EncroChat hack has given the police unprecedented access to the secrets of organised c... more

11 Feb 2024

31 MINS

31:49

11 Feb 2024


#41

Catching the Kingpins: 5. Line of Duty

The truth unearthed about Met police officer PC Kashif Mahmood is stranger than an episode... more

04 Feb 2024

28 MINS

28:52

04 Feb 2024