Ep 3. Yorkshire

The Real Football Factories is a British documentary series that explores the culture of football hooliganism in various regions of the United Kingdom. In season 1 episode 3, titled "Yorkshire," the show focuses on football violence in the county of Yorkshire, which includes cities such as Leeds, Sheffield, and Hull.

Presenter Danny Dyer travels to Yorkshire to meet with members of various football firms, including those associated with Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday. Dyer interviews former hooligans and current members of firms, as well as police officers and other officials involved in trying to combat the violence.

The episode begins with Dyer visiting Elland Road, the home stadium of Leeds United, and talking to a group of fans who were involved in a notorious incident in 2007 where rival fans were attacked with knives and other weapons. Dyer discusses the history of the Leeds United firm, including its involvement in the 1985 Heysel Stadium disaster where 39 people died.

The show also looks at the Sheffield Wednesday firm, known as the Owls Crime Squad. Dyer interviews several former members of the firm, as well as a current member who still maintains the "no surrender" attitude of the group. He also meets with police officers who discuss their tactics for dealing with football-related violence and the challenges of keeping the peace on match days.

The episode also explores the role of social media in modern football hooliganism, with Dyer speaking to members of a new firm called the Muckers, who have used online platforms to organize and coordinate violence. Dyer and the police officers also discuss the impact of technology on policing, with CCTV cameras and facial recognition technology becoming increasingly important tools in detecting and preventing violence.

Throughout the episode, the show provides historical context for the hooliganism culture in Yorkshire, drawing on events such as the miners' strike of the 1980s and the rise of the far-right National Front. Dyer also reflects on the impact of football violence on the wider community, interviewing local residents who have been affected by the violence and discussing the economic impact of hooliganism on the sport.

Overall, "Yorkshire" is a thought-provoking episode that offers a detailed examination of football hooliganism in one of the UK's most notorious regions. The show provides insight into the mindset of those involved in hooliganism and the challenges faced by law enforcement, while also exploring the broader social and historical factors that have contributed to the culture of football violence in Yorkshire.