Running with the Firm: My Double Life as an Undercover Hooligan - James Bannon

“Running with the Firm” is a gripping story that takes the reader deep into the dark world of English football hooligans in the 80s. Written by James Bannon, a former undercover cop, it’s an extraordinary memoir of his time infiltrating The Bushwackers - Millwall FC’s most notorious firm. This book is not just a record of a dangerous mission but also a psychological and moral study of a man walking the fine line between two worlds.

The 1995 cult film I.D., famous for its raw portrayal of football violence, was based on events from Bannon’s life. Years later he decided to tell the story in his own words, adding details of the operation, the emotions and the personal struggles. “Running with the Firm” isn’t just about brutality and chaos but also about humanity tested to its limits.

In the late 80s, young officer James Bannon went undercover with The Bushwackers to gather evidence against their most dangerous members. In the book he details how he built his “legend”, gained trust and became one of them. His daily life was a constant game of deception, living on the edge of being exposed and wrestling with his conscience. Bannon vividly describes the dangers of undercover life - the fear of being unmasked, the need to constantly pretend and the constant suspicion. The line between his cover identity and his real life blurred more and more. The reader sees how hard it was for him to stay emotionally detached from a group that, despite its violence, showed loyalty to one another. Over time, pride in belonging to The Bushwackers began to outweigh his duty as a cop.

“Running with the Firm” is not just about violence but also about moral dilemmas, loyalty, friendship and love. James Bannon faces tough choices - on one side he is part of a crew that starts to feel like his mates, on the other he is still a policeman writing reports that could destroy them. That inner conflict is what makes the book so fascinating.

If you’re after a book that grabs you from the first page, hits you with brutal honesty and takes you into a world where the line between good and evil is blurred, “Running with the Firm” is a read you can’t miss. Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster that will stay with you long after the last page.
The book is available now in our online store.