Green Street Hooligans is a work of fiction. The thought of Elijah Wood enrolled in an old-school firm is a farce. But, the sentiment expressed in the film is all too real, as seen in yesterday’s Carling Cup matchup between West Ham and Millwall in Upton Park.

The London rivals met for the first time since 2005, and the tension erupted into violence.

Before kickoff, hundreds brawled outside, throwing bottles, bricks and darts, lighting fires and tearing up traffic posts.  During the match, supporters fought each other and police. They invaded the field numerous times as police held them back with batons. Nearly 100 entered after West Ham took the lead in extra time.

A 44-year-old man was stabbed in the chest during the tumult and remains in stable condition.

Because things weren’t vile enough, Millwall fans also directed Monkey chants at West Ham striker Carlton Cole.

Inspired by Premier League money, English soccer supposedly became sanitary, corporate and family-friendly during the 1990s. However, the obvious premeditation suggests that hooliganism is not dead in England, just dormant.