Over several decades, ever-larger numbers from Britain’s working-class ‘casual’ culture have relocated abroad in search of adventure and opportunity. The results have been mixed: unfortunately, the so-called ‘British disease’ relocated with them, which included hooliganism and the ‘grafting’ of counterfeit designer merchandise, among other vices. Author Ian Hough experienced the casual revolution at firsthand, travelling for long periods and working with other British expats in a variety of circumstances and cultures.

Perry Boys Abroad describes the long, crazy journey from British cities and towns to the exotic corners of the world, from the 1970s to the present day. Smugglers, drug dealers, bricklayers, agricultural migrants and regular travellers on the Magic Bus to Athens all hit the road. With Manchester’s changing fashion and music scene as a backdrop to the oral memories of many included in this book, Perry Boys Abroad explains how these football hooligans and grafters pioneered many modern fashions and attitudes. Best-selling authors Colin Blaney and Cass Pennant are among those who tell their own stories of how British designer thugs colonised foreign lands and waged war on their terrace rivals abroad. Others provide vivid tales of skullduggery and mayhem beyond the football and the grafting.

Perry Boys Abroad also illustrates how much times have changed. If you think casual culture is limited to fighting at football matches, then think again. This book explores the lives and adventures of the post-rave Brits now living and grafting permanently in Australia, Thailand, America and Mexico – and their ultimate destiny as a dying breed.

Ian Hough is from Manchester. His first book, Perry Boys, tracked the casual hooligan trend from its origins on northwest England’s terraces to its later metamorphosis into the rave/‘Madchester’ culture. Perry Boys Abroad is the follow-up. A regular contributor to the Manchester United fanzine United We Stand, Ian Hough currently lives in the United States.

ESPN Soccernet - 11th July 2009 a great review of the book INTERNAL LINK

Soccer Lens - 19th July 2009 another review of the book INTERNAL LINK

2 Reviews

by Norm D (Salford, UK) on 18 Jul 2009

absolutley superb !!!

by j buckley "avaicasual" (u.k.) on 16 Jul 2009

this book is brilliant, an absolute must for all the lads that were around at that time and who were part of it all from the late 70s this guy not only knows his stuff but is a fantastic writer, you must buy his first book perry boys before you get this, none of all that we done them we never run nonsense just what those great early days were all about when football was fun, i now live and watch my footy in brazil where the scene is very much like it was back then but there is not a day goes by i dont read one of this guys books just puts a smile on my face and almost a tear in my eye for the best days ever and all the great lads that were around in those heady days buy this book you will not regret it

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by j buckley "avaicasual" (u.k.) on 16 Jul 2009

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