Infamous ex-Chelsea hooligan who 'relished violence' names 'biggest' rival firm

A notorious former Chelsea hooligan didn't hesitate when asked to name their biggest rival firm – before discussing the toughest away days he'd ever experienced. Jason Marriner, nicknamed The General, has been branded as the most notorious football hooligan in Britain.

He was a leading figure in the Chelsea Headhunters gang before his crew was famously infiltrated by journalist Donal MacIntrye for an undercover BBC documentary sting. Marriner was imprisoned for conspiracy and affray in 2000 with the judge determining that he was a "dangerous" man who "relished violence" and showed "little if any regard for other people or the law".

The Chelsea supporter, who now resides in Thailand and has published books about his hooliganism past, has spoken on the .

READ MORE: Premier League predictions: Liverpool and Arsenal title race, top four, relegation debated

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher points finger at new Liverpool signing over error in Crystal Palace loss

Asked about the biggest rival of the Chelsea Headhunters, without missing a beat, Marriner said: "Tottenham, you know, without a doubt." Responding, Liam asked: "Were they the toughest fights as well?"

"We've had some good gigs with Tottenham," Marriner said. "Fantastic gigs. But I've got to tell you, there's places, the Grimsbys if you like, and the Birminghams..."

After explaining the toughness of the northerners, he then spoke about whether he had ever got hurt at football. Chuckling, he said: "Yeah, loads of times, yeah. And then you think, well that's the end of that, and next week you are back in the swindle aren't you."

Then, expanding on the "hairiest moments" as a football hooligan, he mentioned one game in particular. The year was 1994 and Chelsea beat Sheffield United in the final game of the league season which relegated the Yorkshire team.

And Marriner said: "We were in a place called Berlins in Sheffield and it was a big place. If I tell you there was 70 80 of us, there was. A lot of our lot were up the back.

"I've come to the bar, geezer's half recognised me from away games, knew I was Chelsea straight away, said something to me, and I said 'f*** off, who are you ya'. Next thing you know it's off, bang bang bang we are off.

"Bottled me, stuck the bottle on me eyebrow, that's opened up, boom boom boom, all of a sudden the squirmish, they've all come down (Chelsea fans) and it has gone ballistic. Doorman don't want to know, we are sent out, they (Sheffield United fans) are all outside.

"We've put their beloved team down ain't we. In the middle of the road they have fences, but was like sort of bushes over the fence, they are coming out of the bushes and all sorts, if it is in the middle of the road.

"My pal from Sheffield, who is Wednesday (Sheffield Wednesday fan), used to come to Chelsea, the dog has bit him on the thing (points to side) and I mean it has gone ballistic, absolutely. "

When questioned whether the football violence ever became excessive, he explained there existed an unwritten rule among hooligans that you wouldn't kick someone's head once they'd hit the ground. Instead, you might "half give them a squeeze".

He recalled experiencing such a terrifying incident during a trip to West Ham United. He disclosed: "I remember being chased at West Ham once, I don't mind (admitting it).

"It was a night game, pitch black, it is dark, bang, kicked the back off me feet. I am tripped over ain't I. I have curled up in a ball. I thought I was very lucky because where they have let's say half a dozen, they are kicking the granny out of me, if it had been or two of them, I would have got hurt.

"But because there are half a dozen, they are all fighting each other to get at me."

He then explained the "code of conduct" stopped him from suffering serious harm.

Marriner also revealed he's grown wiser with years, and holds no prejudice regarding colour, race, religion or which football team you follow, provided you possess morals and show respect.

He even recognised they were "all the same" and "just support a different club" and he added: "I mean, I've got some fantastic Tottenham pals."