Xuenou > Sports > Arsenal fan Idris Elba faced down West Ham’s feared ICF hooligans when he was just 12
Arsenal fan Idris Elba faced down West Ham’s feared ICF hooligans when he was just 12
Arsenal fan Idris Elba faced down West Ham's feared ICF hooligans when he was just 12,Idris Elba, a life-long Arsenal fan, came face to face with the notorious football hooligans when he was 12 years old but said he wasn't afraid as they screamed at him

Arsenal fan Idris Elba faced down West Ham’s feared ICF hooligans when he was just 12

Lifelong Arsenal fan Idris Elba had the perfect response to meeting with members of a notorious football hooligan firm while on the school bus.

The actor says he was around 12 years old when his family moved from Hackney to Canning Town in London – an area firmly in West Ham territory.

The 50-year-old claims members of the Inter City Firm would get on the bus outside his school on West Ham match days.

READ MORE: West Ham hooligan 'top boy' has picture with hero Knollsy ahead of final

During one of such day, 12-year-old Idris decided to fearlessly stand up to them by wearing an Arsenal shirt he had been gifted.

He claims that the notorious football hooligans would “terrorise” him for wearing a rival shirt – but he says it made him feel “powerful”.

Idris Elba came face to face with members of the notorious ICF when he was 12-years-old
Idris Elba came face to face with members of the notorious ICF when he was 12-years-old (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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    Their name is derived from the railway network that they used to travel to away games and it grew worldwide fame following the release of hooligan film Green Street.

    The Daily Star previously spoke to former football hooligan Cass Pennant, who co-founded the ICF.

    Pennant has led an incredible life, blighted by racism and violence in his early years but has since become a successful writer and documentary maker.