It depends where you are. I lived in Scotland in the 90s and met many UVF supporters - which was kind of suprising until I learned more about the situation. Imagine being born into the second or third generation of an underground terror war with people 5 miles down the road.
And then add in the gangsterism - drug dealing and robbery all run by the various factions.
Even in Scotland you could get attacked for wearing the wrong football shirt - Glasgow Celtic vs Glasgow Rangers.
You may have seen the "no singing" signs which were on Scottish trains posted here without context (I can't find a picture now).
but here's something from 1998
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1309260.stm
As with many a question, most people know fuck all about fuck all and those who do and are not involved can only come back with "it's complicated"
It still seems surreal that England had to deal with an insurgency so close to home, and so recently too.
How would you say the UVF and the others are viewed today in England? Brutal as it all was, they did advance the English cause.
Thanks for the response.
And then add in the gangsterism - drug dealing and robbery all run by the various factions.
Even in Scotland you could get attacked for wearing the wrong football shirt - Glasgow Celtic vs Glasgow Rangers.
You may have seen the "no singing" signs which were on Scottish trains posted here without context (I can't find a picture now).
but here's something from 1998
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1309260.stm
As with many a question, most people know fuck all about fuck all and those who do and are not involved can only come back with "it's complicated"