The early 1970s - and there was growing alarm around the country about the rising tide of casual violence on the streets of Britain's towns and inner cities.
It was the era of Crombie-wearing, Doctor Marten-booted, reggae-loving skinhead gangs, marking their well-defended territories out with graffiti tags and enjoying nothing better than a scrap with a rival gang. Here on Tyneside, the pages of the Evening Chronicle carried regular stories of trouble erupting between gangs of youths around the region.
Over at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, where the often edgy atmosphere was utterly different to today’s matchday experience, the gangs would congregate in the long-demolished Leazes End causing all sorts of mayhem.
