What would be interesting, well for me anyway, would be a poll of people on here who have ever been involved with City's so called firm.
I think people would be astonished by how many people have been involved in some shape or form over the years. I personally know at least 15-20 posters on here who have been involved. They may have grown out of it now, but would still class themselves as one of City's lads...and perhaps defend the colours in certain circumstances when forced to (for example attacked in a pub).
Next time your in the ground look around you at the scallies, casuals, boys or whatever you want to call them...theres thousands of them, and at some point most will have been involved in a football related tear up whilst professing to support City. Its part of Manchester youth culture from the late seventies with the Perry boys onwards and helped define what you see on the streets of manchester now, fashion wise and music wise. It all has its roots in the terrace culture associated with violence and grafting.