Since the mid-1980s, when Prime Minister Thatcher ordered a crackdown on football hooliganism, the results became quite evident over the following decade. However, the lower-league environment in which Manchester City was located at the time gave the "Guvnors" just enough space to survive—barely.
The crackdown on football hooligans also varied depending on the league level, especially after the establishment of Premier League. This corporate league naturally didn't want hooligans tarnishing its brand value. But with limited police resources across the UK and most matches taking place simultaneously on weekends, it was clear that on match days, the majority of police forces would be deployed to maintain order at Premier League games.
As a result, the hooligan organizations affiliated with Premier League clubs were the first to be heavily targeted, followed by those connected to First Division teams.
Richard arrived at St Thomas' Hospital in Bermondsey, London.
