Cass Pennant facts for kids

Carol "Cass" Pennant (born 3 March 1958) is an English writer who became known for his involvement with football fan groups. He has since shared his life story in books and films to teach others about the dangers of making poor choices.

Early Life and Challenges

Growing Up in London

Cass Pennant was born in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England. When he was just six weeks old, he was placed in a children's home run by the charity Dr. Barnardo's.

Soon after, he was fostered by an older white family in Slade Green, a part of Greater London. At the time, he was the only black person in his town. Because he looked different from everyone else, he faced constant bullying from a young age. He has said that strangers would shout at him and that he was picked on by other kids for many years.

Why He Changed His Name

Pennant was given the first name Carol. While this is a common boy's name in the West Indies, it is very unusual for a boy in the United Kingdom. This led to even more teasing at school.

To stand up for himself, he decided to adopt a new name. After watching the famous boxer Muhammad Ali (who was then known as Cassius Clay) win a fight, he was inspired. He started calling himself Cass, and the name stuck.

Involvement in Football Culture

Leading a Fan Group

In the 1970s, Pennant became a well-known figure among fans of the West Ham United football club. He was a leader of a fan group known as the Inter City Firm (ICF). These groups were known for being very passionate but also for causing trouble and fighting with fans of other teams. This behavior is often called football hooliganism.

It was very unusual for a black person to have a leadership role in these groups at the time, as racism was a serious problem in Britain. Pennant's story shows how he was able to gain respect in a difficult environment.

Changing His Life Path

His involvement with the ICF led to serious trouble. In 1980, he faced major consequences for his actions related to football violence and had to spend four years away. He was the first person to receive such a long period away for this type of behavior.

After getting into trouble a second time, he decided to change his life. He started a business that provided security for nightclubs in London.

A Career in Writing and Media

Sharing His Story on Screen

After turning his life around, Pennant began to share his experiences to warn others. In 2002, he appeared in a Channel 4 documentary about the fan groups of the 1970s.

He also worked as an expert consultant for TV shows like The Real Football Factories. His knowledge was even used for the 2005 movie Green Street, where he also had a small role playing a police officer.

Books and Films About His Life

In 2008, a movie called Cass was released. It was based on Pennant's life story and showed the challenges he faced and how he changed his future. The actor Nonso Anozie played the role of Cass.

Pennant has also written books about his life and experiences with football culture. He wrote the introduction for a book by Colin Blaney, a fan from the rival Manchester United club, and shared stories about the rivalry between the two teams.