British Football Fans 1900-1930: Black Faces, Duck Hats And Living Dangerously

An Arsenal fan performs a one handed handstand at Euston Station to entertain his fellow supporters on their way to Birmingham for the F A Cup replay, 29th January 1930. (Photo by S. R. Gaiger/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

An Arsenal fan performs a one handed handstand at Euston Station to entertain his fellow supporters on their way to Birmingham for the F A Cup replay, 29th January 1930. (Photo by S. R. Gaiger/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)Living

27th December 1930:  A group of Chelsea Football Club supporters.  (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

27th December 1930: A group of Chelsea Football Club supporters. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Scottish supporters before an English League V Scottish League match at Highbury, London, March 1921. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Scottish supporters before an English League V Scottish League match at Highbury, London, March 1921. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

20th April 1912:  Football supporters on horse-drawn buses visiting London for the FA Cup Final between Barnsley and West Bromwich Albion.  (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

20th April 1912: Football supporters on horse-drawn buses visiting London for the FA Cup Final between Barnsley and West Bromwich Albion. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

 

A group of West Ham supporters cheering as they leave Waterloo Station for a match at Boscombe, 22nd August 192

A group of West Ham supporters cheering as they leave Waterloo Station for a match at Boscombe, 22nd August 192

April 1928:  Two football supporters in fancy dress with blackened faces in London for the FA Cup final between Blackburn Rovers and Huddersfield Town. Balckburn won 3-1.  (Photo by Edward G. Malindine/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

April 1928: Two football supporters in fancy dress with blackened faces in London for the FA Cup final between Blackburn Rovers and Huddersfield Town. Blackburn won 3-1. (Photo by Edward G. Malindine/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

18th February 1928:  Police regulate the crowd at the touchline as great numbers of spectators crowd the pitch at Highbury in London for the cup tie battle between Arsenal and Aston Villa.  (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

18th February 1928: Police regulate the crowd at the touchline as great numbers of spectators crowd the pitch at Highbury in London for the cup tie battle between Arsenal and Aston Villa. (Photo by Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

28 APR 1923:  POLICE ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE CROWDS OFF THE PITCH BEFORE THE START OF THE FIRST F.A. CUP FINAL TO BE PLAYED AT WEMBLEY STADIUM.  THE MATCH BETWEEN WEST HAM UNITED AND BOLTON WANDERERS ATTRACTED AN ESTIMATED 200,000 PEOPLE.  BOLTON WON 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive

28 APR 1923: POLICE ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE CROWDS OFF THE PITCH BEFORE THE START OF THE FIRST F.A. CUP FINAL TO BE PLAYED AT WEMBLEY STADIUM. THE MATCH BETWEEN WEST HAM UNITED AND BOLTON WANDERERS ATTRACTED AN ESTIMATED 200,000 PEOPLE. BOLTON WON 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive

24th April 1926:  Two Manchester City supporters in London for the cup tie. They are 'Ye Silent Twins' wearing the outfits that won them 1st prize at the Blackpool Carnival.  (Photo by H. F. Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

24th April 1926: Two Manchester City supporters in London for the cup tie. They are ‘Ye Silent Twins’ wearing the outfits that won them 1st prize at the Blackpool Carnival. (Photo by H. F. Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Cheering Arsenal fans with a duck, London, England, Photograph, April 26th 1930

Cheering Arsenal fans with a duck, London, England, Photograph, April 26th 1930

A group of Everton supporters outside St Paul's Cathedral, London, before making their way to Crystal Palace for the FA Cup final between Everton and Newcastle United, which Everton won 1-0.   (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

A group of Everton supporters outside St Paul’s Cathedral, London, before making their way to Crystal Palace for the FA Cup final between Everton and Newcastle United, which Everton won 1-0. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

5th March 1921:  A huge crowd watches the match between Cardiff City and Chelsea.  (Photo by A. R. Coster/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

5th March 1921: A huge crowd watches the match between Cardiff City and Chelsea. (Photo by A. R. Coster/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

costume football match, 1920  Football players in costume. Photograph from University of Westminster Archives. More about the event can be found in the Polytechnic Magazine July 1920.

costume football match, 1920
Football players in costume. Photograph from University of Westminster Archives. More about the event can be found in the Polytechnic Magazine July 1920.

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