Trafalgar Square



Overhead view of Trafalgar Square
 


Nelson's Column, standing tall in the middle of Trafalgar Square
 


 


 

Description of Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square, located in central London near other significant sites such as Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, is London's most well-known plaza and a popular tourist attraction. Designed by Sir Charles Barry and officially opened in 1844, Trafalgar Square boasts "two 24m fountains, four sculpture plinths and statues of historically important world figures," including Nelson's Column.[1] Standing tall in the centre of Trafalgar Square, Nelson's Column was built in 1843 to honour Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson, who led the charge in England's defeat of the French fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.[2] The height of Nelson's Column acts as both a point of recognition, as well as a popular spot for tourists to take pictures, and is one of the things that makes the square so unique. The square has undergone several renovations in its 175-year history, the most notable of which came in July 2003, pedestrianizing the north terrace so that London's National Gallery could be connected to the square, as well as building a café, restrooms, and an elevator for handicapped persons.[3] While the square is popular for tourists, it has also become a common place for protesters to gather, likely because it is a well known spot in central London.[4]Rather than shut down these protests, London's mayor supports this "democratic tradition," and allows the square to be used specifically for such protests.[5] While rallies and demonstrations are encouraged at Trafalgar Square, riots and violent unrest, such as those seen following England's loss to Germany in the 1996 Euro Cup, are not welcome. Thus, Trafalgar Square will serve as the concluding point of interest on this tour, as it displays the theme of riots, protests and unrest through the actions of football hooligans at London's most well-known protest destination.

This destination is the sixth and final stop on the Football Hooliganism Tour

Analysis of Trafalgar Sqaure

Although football hooliganism creates rifts between supporters of different football clubs in London, these rivalries cease to exist on a national scale, as everyone is a fan of the English national team. The 1996 Euro Cup is a perfect example of this, as the tournament was held in England and fans came together across the country to cheer on their team. Being that this was an international tournament, the stakes were higher, nationalism was on full display, and the government was ready for a strong showing of hooliganism throughout London. In an article from The Times in London, prison officials drew up emergency plans to house extra prisoners in case England lost and the tournament spiraled into chaos.[6] Football hooliganism was evidently on the minds of the police, whose prison plans included increasing the number of prisoners per cell and admitting prisoners on weekends rather than just on weekdays.[7] Coupled with passionate feelings of nationalism, England's loss to Germany in the semi-finals resulted in hundreds of drunken fans piling in to Trafalgar Square to express their displeasure with the result. Shanti Sumartojo points out that national identity can be constructed through urban public spaces, and for Britain, national identity was constructed in Trafalgar Square.[8] The fact that these hooligans chose to gather in Trafalgar Square to express their displeasure with England's national team displays the symbolism of the square as a source of British identity. Noted as a popular place for public protests, Trafalgar Square was the perfect place for these football hooligans to riot because it radiated English pride. In addition to expressing nationalistic pride, the riots at Trafalgar Square allowed for these hooligans to express their masculinity. Through the support of a team, the male fan is expressing his masculinity, as well as reaffirming the masculine role in the eyes of his peers and himself.[9] Through the theme of nationalism, it can be seen that the riots in Trafalgar Square following England's loss to Germany in the 1996 Euro Cup were largely symbolic of British nationalism, as well as the masculinity associated with football hooliganism.

Riots in Trafalgar Square following England’s loss to Germany in the 1996 Euro Cup

Endnotes

[1] Walk London. "Trafalgar square and Nelson's Column Walklondon's Westminster Walk." Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column.

[2] Kristiaan Van Ermengem. "Nelson's Column, London." A View On Cities.

[3] London Government, "Trafalgar Square." London City Hall. November 18, 2016.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] "Prisons Put on Standby for Football Hooligans; Soccer Violence." The Times (London, England), 1996.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Shanti Sumartojo. "Britishness in Trafalgar Square: Urban Place and the Construction of National Identity." (December 2009) 410.

[9] Anthony King. "The Postmodernity of Football Hooliganism." (1997) 585.

Location of Trafalgar Square

Concluding remarks

While football may appear to be just a sport to many people, football hooligans have radicalized what it means to be a fan. Through violence, racism, and riots, football hooliganism takes supporting one's team to a whole new level. In exploring the topic of football hooliganism, this tour has revealed that football is part of the British identity and a way of life, rather than just a hobby. Ranging from small scale inter-club hooliganism to hooliganism on an international level, the riots and unrest associated with the sport of football can be seen throughout the city of London, bleeding further into the heart of Europe. Perpetuated by an unhealthy drinking culture that fuels radical action, hooligans continue to terrorize opposing fans, metropolitan police, and innocent civilians, despite the negative stereotype that they create for Englishmen.

Although the violence and rioting that has been put on display throughout this tour casts football hooliganism in a negative light, there are positives that can be drawn from it as well. Hooliganism has seen a significant decline since its peak in the 1980s and 90s, allowing one to see that crackdowns on these hooligans has led to a healthier and safer fan environment. Moreover, we have learnt that Trafalgar Square, although home to protests and unrest on a regular basis, has helped establish a British identity. Therefore, through an analysis of football hooliganism in the city of London, it can be seen that football is rooted in British identity, and the actions of these hooligans persists through a well-established drinking culture and undying support for their clubs, despite the consequences that it may have for them individually, as well as for the city of London as a whole.

Bibliography

Ermengem, Kristiaan Van. "Nelson's Column, London." A View On Cities. Accessed March 29, 2019. https://www.aviewoncities.com/london/nelsonscolumn.htm

King, Anthony. "The Postmodernity of Football Hooliganism." The British Journal of Sociology 48, no. 4 (1997): 576-593.

London Government. "Trafalgar Square." London City Hall. November 18, 2016. Accessed March 29, 2019. https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/our-building-and-squares/trafalgar-square.

"Prisons Put on Standby for Football Hooligans; Soccer Violence." The Times (London, England), 1996. https://proxy.library.brocku.ca/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.115092254&site=eds-live&scope=site.

Sumartojo, Shanti. "Britishness in Trafalgar Square: Urban Place and the Construction of National Identity." Studies In Ethnicity & Nationalism 9, no. 3 (December 2009): 410– 28.

Walk London. "Trafalgar square and Nelson's Column Walklondon's Westminster Walk." Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column. Accessed March 29, 2019. http://www.walklondon.com/london-attractions/trafalgar-square-nelsons-column.htm.


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