The casual subculture is a subsection of association football culture that is typified by football hooliganism and the wearing of expensive European designer clothing.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} The subculture originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s when many hooligans started wearing designer labels and expensive sportswear in order to avoid the attention of police. They did not wear club colours, so it was easier to infiltrate rival groups and to enter pubs.

Music genres popular among casuals in the late 1970s included: mod revival, postpunk, Oi! and ska.^{[6][unreliable source]} By the 1980s, casuals' music tastes were eclectic, with some enjoying pop groups such as Wham!, ABC, The Human League, Spandau Ballet and Adam and the Ants.^{[7][unreliable source]} In the late 1980s and early 1990s, many casuals were part of the Madchester and rave scenes, and in the 1990s, many were fans of Britpop.^{[6][unreliable source]} There was a strong crossover with rave culture, with many ravers wearing football casual brands but distanced from football hooliganism.^{[7][unreliable source][8][9]} Madchester bands sometimes wore casual clothing on stage and in publicity photographs, as did Britpop acts such as Blur in their video for "Parklife". Since then, the most popular genre among casuals has been indie rock.^[6]