Chris Brown - Booted and Suited

O n consecutive Friday nights for more years than I like to remember, a certain individual who shall remain nameless turned back the clock and reminded us all of what eventful times we experienced in the 1970s. I eventually tired of hearing, If someone wrote a book about what we got up to, no one would believe it.

This is that book, believe it. Without the likes of that certain individual and another unnamed person in particular, I could still have written Booted and Suited but, unfortunately, it would not have been worth reading. To both of you, thanks for making my life more eventful and for making this book possible.

Although the terrible two supplied my inspiration, many others supplied the memories, anecdotes, evidence and newspaper cuttings: Straff, Rich, Bob, Brian and big Andy fall into this category, as do many others too numerous to mention.

For the memories, thoughts and recollections of the Never on Sunday cafe and the embryonic skinhead movement, a massive thank you to Lloyd Sutherland. Without him, Part One of this book simply would not have existed. Others who helped me write about this era and to whom I owe a huge debt are (in no particular order) my brother Mike, his long-time mate Dave Baker, my old workmate Phil Peacock, Eugene, Pat, Chris, Andy, Jimmy Dee and Bob Feltham. My old Rovers cohorts Dobbsy and Adge who likewise has had a book published, documenting the history of the now defunct Lockleaze school in Bristol, also contributed some invaluable information and anecdotes relating to this period.

The even earlier mod scene was fondly remembered by Jim Burnham, Chris Powell, Steve Holloway and Colin Birch, all members of the thriving Bristol Mod Scooter Club. Others who helped in some shape or form were Pete Webb of the Electric Pavilion project and Mike Darby of Sugar Shack Records.

Tim Williams especially needs a huge thanks as well as a few pints of Gem ale. I promise Ill never bad mouth Northern Soul again. They say that theres a book inside everyone, well in Tims case theres got to be an encyclopaedia, this mans forgotten more about music than Ive ever learnt.

Paul Alexander, John Stallard, Steve and Adryan Ashby of Soultrain helped me to fill in the gaps on the music front while Seymour Baugh and his mate Anthony contributed some great tales relating to the early Bristol funk scene. Im not sure if any of these guys realised at the time just how influential they were to become.

Neil Emery, like Tim Williams, one of Brislingtons as well as Wigans chosen few, supplied an invaluable view from across both the fashion and football divide. At one time I was hopeful that I was going to receive further contributions from south of the river from a couple of old adversaries but unfortunately it wasnt to be, come on Angus, pull your finger out and get that book published.

To George Marshall of ST Publishing, both thanks and apologies.

To Martin Knight and Dougie Brimson, I know the two of you would not like to be mentioned in the same sentence but, even so, thanks for the words of encouragement and advice. To William Avery, thanks for proofreading the original manuscript.

I owe a debt of gratitude to Keith M: thanks for the memories and for the legal advice, talk about poacher turned gamekeeper.

To John Sellers, John Blake, Adam Parfitt and Michelle Signore, a big thank you for doing the business, and a mention must go to Gary Groovy Davies for his part in what was to become an incredible twist of fate.

I would also like to say a big thank you to Steven Wells of 4-4-2 Magazine, Dave Higgitt of Venue Magazine, John Malyckyj of Bristol Rovers Supporters Club and Hazel Potter of the Second of May football fanzine for their various reviews and articles, plus Alex Roest of the Uppers Organization website for stating that the original book was by far the best book on the subject [terrace culture].

Thanks must also go to John King of Football Factory fame for his biting one-liner which acknowledges and confirms what I personally always thought was the books correct and proper description: a social history.

On reading Booted and Suited, you will become aware that I may have upset and harmed certain people. No malice was ever intended, only to those who endeavoured to do exactly the same to me. To the only people I really hurt in the 70s, my mum and dad, I say sorry, perhaps for my dad its too late.

One of the great things that came out of the original book was that a lot of my old mates who I hadnt seen for a number of years made contact with me (mostly to congratulate me), one in particular, Dave Ward, contacted me after a 35 year absence, so to Dave, thanks for making contact and thanks for the memories.

This edition not only includes brand new copy but also some amended copy relating to certain events which have come to light since the writing of the first draft events which, though not incorrectly reported in the first place, nevertheless needed clarification and amplification regarding dates, locations and the like. Similarly, some of the music references have also been amended following further research again, these were merely oversights and not done with any intention of misleading or misrepresentation whatsoever.

My genuine thanks go to all of you who bought the original book, Bovver, over the last few years, and especially to those of you who have taken the time to post, in the main, complimentary reviews on the various websites. To get praise from, among others, fans of Bristol City and Cardiff City, is indeed both surprising and welcome, as in the past it could be said that we didnt exactly see eye-to-eye.

A special message must go to Tom Henry and Cris Warren, hopefully by the time the next edition comes out the play will be in the West End, keep the faith boys, it will be worth it in the end.

Finally, the biggest thanks of all go to my wife Carole and my children Dan and Chloe for both believing in me and putting up with me (not once, but twice). Hopefully, it will all be worth it. To Dan, a very special message: do as I say, not as I do.