‘Bubbles’, ‘Abe my boy’ and ‘the Fowler war cry’: singing at the Vetch Field in the 1920s

Abstract

This study explores aspects of the culture of the soccer crowd from the 1880s to 1930. Evidence is presented showing a range of characteristics of the crowd, with an emphasis on the ‘Cup crowd’ encompassing features present in the present-day crowd including the wearing of club colours, the presence of mascots and vocal contributions. Collective contributions (war cries, chants and songs) are examined in detail and this is followed by an in-depth review of singing by Swansea Town fans in the 1920s. This reveals that modern popular songs were just as important as traditional music to the club's fans. They adapted the words of one popular song as a eulogy to their star player and developed actions such as the ringing of a bell and the waving of handkerchiefs to accompany others. These special songs helped create a sense of identity and ownership amongst the fans of the club.

Notes

^1. Russell, Football and the English, 57.

^2. Mason, Association Football and English Society, 159–67.

^3. Russell, Football and the English, 58; Johnes, Soccer and Society.

^4. Hill, ‘War Remembrance and Sport’.

^5. Plymouth Football Herald, January 8, 1921.

^6. Attwood, Kelly, and Andrews, Woolwich Arsenal FC, 144–45.

^7. Mason, Association Football and English Society, 158.

^8. Scottish Umpire, February 15, 1887.

^9. Football Post (Swansea), January 31, 1914.

^10. Attwood, Kelly, and Andrews, Woolwich Arsenal FC, 144.

^11. Mason, Association Football and English Society, 159.

^12. Scottish Athletic Journal, February 15, 1887.

^13. Courier & Argus (Dundee), August 27, 1894.

^14. Southampton Times and Hampshire Express, March 13, 1897.

^15. Football Post (Swansea), January 31, 1914; Nannestad and Nannestad, Who's Who of Lincoln City, 48; and Dykes, United Alphabet, 354.

^16. Daily Telegraph, March 31, 2006.

^17. South Wales Evening Post, June 7, 2012.

^18. Kent, Port Vale Personalities, 111.

^19. http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/dunn.htm (accessed October 12, 2012).

^20. Russell, Football and the English, 58.

^21. Portsmouth Football Mail, January 8, 1949; Portsmouth Evening News, September 23, 1899.

^22. The Hampshire Advertiser, June 6, 1900.

^23. Attwood, Kelly, and Andrews, Woolwich Arsenal FC, 144.

^24. Football Post (Swansea), January 30, 1915.

^25. Sporting News (Swansea), November 27, 1920.

^26. Sporting News (Swansea), January 29, 1921.

^27. Sporting News (Swansea), January 30, 1926 and March 27, 1926.

^28. Sporting News (Swansea), February 7, 1920.

^29. Sporting News (Swansea), January 3, 1920.

^30. Sporting News (Swansea), February 12, 1921.

^31. Sporting News (Swansea), January 8, 1921.

^32. Football Post (Swansea), January 12, 1924.

^33. Football Post (Swansea), March 6, 1926.

^34. Sporting News (Swansea), January 30, 1926.

^35. Sporting News (Swansea), March 13, 1926.

^36. Football Post (Swansea), January 8, 1927.

^37. Ibid.

^38. Birmingham Mail (Sports edition), February 2, 1924.

^39. Football Express (Cardiff), April 24, 1926.

^40. Football Post (Swansea), January 29, 1927.

^41. Football Post (Swansea), January 8, 1927.

^42. Daily Express, January 10, 1927.

^43. Sporting News (Swansea), March 13, 1920.

^44. Football Post (Swansea), January 7, 1922.

^45. The so-called ‘Poznań’ is associated most closely with the Polish football club, Lech Poznań. It is a goal celebration that involves fans turning their backs to the pitch, joining arms and jumping up and down in unison. After Lech Poznań played Manchester City in the UEFA Europa League in October 2010, it was adopted by City fans.