Former Tottenham Hotspur hooligan Frank Portinari has named West Ham United as the best football firm in England, admitting the Hammers had a psychological edge over his own mob. Portinari, a convicted gun smuggler and former UDA commander, spoke about his days on the terraces during the 1970s and 1980s on the Criminal Connection podcast.
Portinari credited northern firms for being 'tough blokes' from industrial towns, describing away days as 'taking your life in your hands'. However, he singled out London rivals for particular mention. 'If I focus on London, I am honest enough to say this now that the late 60s, early 70s, I don't think people gave them credit, Arsenal had a naughty mob of fellas,' he said.
But the standout firm, according to Portinari, was West Ham. 'Probably West Ham. I think West Ham because what they are always attributed with is being organised and they did seem to always be organised,' he stated. He also acknowledged Millwall, but noted Spurs rarely played them due to different divisions.
Recalling a particularly violent encounter with Millwall on Boxing Day 1977 at The Den, Portinari described it as 'some of the worst violence I ever seen'. He recounted seeing a man with a screwdriver through his cheek, and fans using railings and wooden fencing as weapons. 'How somebody didn't die that day, I am genuinely shocked they didn't,' he added.
Despite that, Portinari concluded: 'But no, I would have to say West Ham. They always kind of had it over us psychologically.' He also gave credit to Manchester United, calling them the 'Red Army' for their thousands of supporters.
