Maybe I've just been fortunate, but I've been a lot less aware of the EBF in town lately. Can we hope that they've gone away for good?

Sorry for sounding dim, but what is the EBF? Never heard of that expression before..

English Border Front - bunch of thickos looking for a fight, basically, but loosely organised under that name.

Ah okay. I take it they are English, rather than Welsh - or is it nothing to do with English thugs v. Welsh thugs?

How do you tell if someone is EBF? :unsure:

They're usually dragging their knuckles along the ground. Seriously though, they never existed as an organisation, at least not in the sense that the local media reported. The sensationalism for which the Shropshire Star is renowned played right into the hands of these thugs and projected them into the spotlight in a manner their trifling, largely inconsequential acts of juvenile criminality little deserved.

I thought the EBF were more football orientated. Silly boys :ph43r: in English football shirts fearful of being labelled as Welsh and most are racist twats! Exclusive to Shrewsbury, or used to be! Fortunately I think the local police have stamped them out :D. Well done west mercia !

I think they were a lot more organised that you've implied. A lot of problems ran through the town, and a certain extent still does. Didn't roger cook do a cook report on it?
You still find small hints of factions of the group - but many rumours surround them and the people that would organise the activities. If some rumours are true, we're just in a quiet time.

I think the Macintyre report exposed the EBF Nick, not Roger Cook. Ican assure you wholeheartedly that the EBF are monitored in depth by West mercia police, through surveillance the movements of of their dying breed are gradually being wiped out

Apparently they still exist.

My family and I are new to Shrewsbury (about a year), and we love this town. Until recently we were blissfully unaware of the EBF. We only heard of their existence a week ago. But today, my step-daughter was bullied by a young chavette in the park.

I confronted this girl and told her that there is nothing more pathetic than a teenager hanging around the little kid's playground bullying younger children. She casually informed me that her dad was EBF (kind of a threat I suppose). So glad I'd found out who they are so I could inform her that her dad was sad scum just like her!

It's a shame that such people exist in a beautiful place like this.

:(

hello

welcome to the forum,sorry that your first post is marred by undesirables.

I am afraid that Shrewsbury does have it's share of idiots but most of us are a friendly bunch.

I should imagine that you are starting to get to know the town by now but please feel free to ask any questions - the posters on here seem to be very well informed.

s.g.d.

I thought this lot had packed it in years ago. I haven't heard much about them lately.I hope it stays that way.

EBF still around, have a m8 who knows quite a few of em unfortunatly!

I presume/assume that the majority of the EBF have never been out of Shropshire, and have all kinds of assumptions about everything they dont recognise. We all take comfort in a sense of belonging be it church going, gym attending, going to the same pub, week after week. Having just been to a domestic violence conference, I can understand why certain types get involved in a gang, be it EBF or some political party. If people are around violence as a way to deal with life, then that will be adopted as a coping mechanism. When i look around and see what people identify with, be it baseball caps, sporty gear or barbar jackets and turned up, slaone like collars, I understand why we need to do this. Its all about your first environment, your influences, and watching how others cope around you.
Anyone caught `The street` on tv?, its on a thursday even at nine, think the last one is tonight. Written by Jimmy Mcgovern. He was bought up in Liverpool around gang mentality, knee capped people, involved in drugs etc, went to prison. he didnt know anything else. whilst in prison he studyied for a psychology degree, changed his thinking, basically he realised/discovered new ways of thinking, behaving, reacting, he went on to marry a psychologist and became a writer, drawning on his experiences. the street is a slice of working class life in Leeds its very realistic, and something worthwhile watching, get my point?

Met someone from a group in Shrewsbury called `Shrewsbury against racisim` last week, didnt know they existed, apparently the E.B.F are going strong in our town and did very well in the local elections?

EBF didn't stand in the local elections held in 2006 in Shrewsbury & Atcham. The BNP stood in two wards though - Sutton & Reabrook and Harlescott. They got no where near winning either seat.

Alex says its all about a sense of belonging,the armed forces under the guise of national service would be a start.

Yeh great idea, the EBF can relate to arms and force, great idea AvronB

It would be channeled in the right direction Alex,with the added benefit of discipline,did you see Bad Lads Army on tv,the whole lot of them were a waste of space at the start,but when they walked out of that camp they were different lads.

I've watched all three series so far and yes it made a difference to those who took part. There is currently a fourth in production scheduled to be shown in September.

It seems that not all but most kids are taught no respect in the home these days, just look at the way *some* parents speak to their children in public places.

Personally I could not see national service coming back but I think it would be a good idea.

From what I remember the gangs of the late 1950s to 1960s were much more professional than todays thugs so you you may have a point.

Of course the EBF didn't stand in the local elections - they're an all but defunct football hooligan gang.
As for 'Shrewbury against racism' - is this group linked to 'Unite against fascism' (sic). The UAF are a bunch of anti-democratic Marxist cowards who's tactics include threatening women?
This group calls for abolishing all immigration controls and banning legal political parties that they are opposed to - no wonder they never stand in elections themselves- they'd have to publicly state what they actually stand for- and not just what they stand opposed to.

Ive never heard of the U.A.F and Ive no idea if they are linked to the Shrewsbury against racism group. Get in touch with them and find out red squirrel you obviously have strong views on groups of this nature.
Yes I did see some of bad lads army. it was interesting, and the boys appeared to get a lot out of it. As for calling them a `waste of space`, to start with.............

You lot seem clueless about who they are and what they stand for.

The EBF or English Border Front was created with relation to named football hooligans firms. In the 1980's such firms were created such as Chelsea's Headhunters, Millwall's Bushwhackers, West Ham's ICF (Inter City Firm), Cardiff City's - Soul Crew and Wolverhampton Wanderers's - Subway Army to name but a few. During the 1990's the Shrewsbury Town hooligan firm named themselves the E.B.F (English Border Front) in order to fight there local Wrexham - Wrexham Frontline enemies around 1992. In 1994 they caught the public eye for having the second largest amount of arrests at fooball during the1993/94, this made headline news with well over 100 arrests in one season. This was second to Liverpool who had around 20 more arrests that season. but comparing the actually home average attendances liverpool 45,000 to shrewsbury's then only 4,400 then its quite astonishing. Yes the EBF are still around, still active and bigger than ever yet more sensible becuase of cctv. The cult lives on.

Thank goodness for CCTV :D (Cardiff City Transvestites) :ph43r:

I'm no expert on football hooligan firms but I do know that the EBF were knocking around way before the 1990's. You could say that their 'heyday' was in the 80's.
I've never been involved with football hooliganism, in fact I've never been into football, full stop. But I think I can understand why alot of young blokes are drawn towards it. Tribalism is a very instinctive thing.

I don't condone it, in fact I think it's completely fultile and a total waste of energy. But it's no surprise that so many lads gravitate to this kind of thing, given that today's ultra'pc' society deprives young red-blooded males of any positve outlet for natural youthful exuberance.

I'd say to any young fella who fancys himself as a bit of 'hard man'. Don't fake it by trying to act tough when you've got the back-up of 20 other mates. REALLY prove yourself by not wasting your life scrapping over bloody football - Join a boxing club and get in the ring or join one of HM's Armed Forces.

I was around Shrewsbury a lot in the 70s and 80s I am sure the EBF were about in the mid late seventies but stand to be corrected.
Not being interested in football I never had any dealings although I have read and proberbley knew a few of them but never had any trouble or dealings with them.

I don't recall the EBF having candidates, let alone doing well.

Several years ago they tried to 'invade' Wellington. :rolleyes: But it was pointed out that they were not welcome. So they went away.

Back in the 80's when the band I was in played a certain pub, a bloke claming to be EBF demanded protection money ''or else your gear won't be safe''. ( I swear it was like living in a Monty Python sketch ). Our drummer, not a small guy, told him to go forth, and that was the last we saw.

Someone also once pointed out to me the EBF 'treasurer'. ( Now there'a non-job if ever there was one. Collected pennnies to purchase knuckle cream I suppose ).

Also, they got confused. They called themselves the English Border Front or the English Bridge Front, depending, I guess, which member was spraying their message on a wall...