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Don’t Forget the Motor City
Detroit FC Fans [Creative Commons/BPesqueira]

SINCE David Bowie sung about Panic in Detroit in 1973 I have been fascinated by Detroit.

I have also been fascinated by the international spread of British football culture since being asked to teach a bunch of Penarol fans in Montevideo in 1989 how to properly sing: “You’re going to get your fucking heads in!” I’m a Nacional man but thought it best to keep that quiet. 

So when I read about Detroit City’s Northern Guard supporters group gathering before a match outside the stadium’s gates chanting: “Can you hear the (opponents) sing? No! … I can’t hear hear a fucking thing, no, no-oo,” a classic 1970s Brit football chant, I thought I had to find out more about this club. Then I found out about the anti-fascist credentials of the fans and the ideals of the owners and was sold. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
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Books / 10 July 2025
10 July 2025

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