ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a brief autobiographical discussion of entry and positioning within the field context, consisting of involved participant observation of the White Angels’ fan group, and terrace observations and interviews with members of the Bad Blue Boys. The anthropological approaches – cultural critique and activist anthropology – with which this book engages, are then considered. It then moves to consider researcher aspects and identifications which influenced the field experience. Those aspects considered are: gender and sexuality, citizenship, language skills and cultural knowledge, race and class. Three methodological issues are then highlighted. First, issues relating to moving between the two fan groups and having different roles within them are discussed. Second, methodological nationalism and the author’s antinational positioning is explored. Finally, ethical issues – especially those relating to illegality and issues concerning covert/overt ethnography – are mentioned.
