Is a storm brewing in Europe? - Al Jazeera English: "On platform one at Bolton train station in England a mob of about 100 men punch the air in unison as a chant - 'Muslim bombers, off our streets!'' - goes up. Their voices echo loudly, and as more men suddenly appear, startled passengers move aside. The protesters wave St George's Cross flags - the red and white English national emblem - and raise placards. Some wear balaclavas, others black-hooded tops. There is an air of menace.
These are some of the most violent football hooligans in Britain and today they have joined in an unprecedented show of strength. Standing shoulder to shoulder are notorious gangs such as Cardiff City's Soul Crew, Bolton Wanderers' Cuckoo Boys and Luton Town's Men In Gear: a remarkable gathering given that on a match day these men would be fighting each other. But today they are not here for football; it is politics that has drawn them. Their destination is Manchester to support a protest by the newly formed English Defence League.
The police are here in force, too. 'Take that mask off,' barks a sergeant to one young man. The man does so immediately but retorts: 'Why are they allowed to wear burqas in public but we're not allowed to cover our faces?' The sergeant snaps back: ''Just do what you're told.'
A man with a West Country accent standing next to me says: 'It's always the fxxxxx' same these days. One rule for them and another for us. I'm sick of this fxxxxx' country.' He draws on a cigarette before flicking it to the ground in disgust. He starts to complain again, but when the public address system announces the arrival of the train to Manchester Piccadilly, he raises his hands above his head and starts another football favourite: 'Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves ...'"
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