Playing on the Periphery

Part of the Sport in the Global Society series, this innovative and creative text explores collective history, memory, and sport culture, tracking the passage of sports away from England. The author investigates why ‘elite’ English sports – such as rugby and cricket – became national sports in New Zealand and Australia, and asks why ‘working class’ English sports – such as football – have travelled less well to these areas. Focusing on these sports, the author tracks narratives and myths, tracing the passage of colonial truths, behaviours and practices.

Clearly defined sections in the book focus on:

* sport and tourism
* sport and history
* sport and memory.

Using a refreshingly broad range of sources to analyze differences between popular culture and sporting memory, this book offers new perspectives on sport and makes an interesting reference for masters and postgraduate readers in sport and cultural studies.

Introduction: Back to the Boot Room, 1

PART I
Sport and tourism
1 We’re not really here: ‘Homes of Football’ and residents of memory, 7
2 If Shearer plays for England, so can I: The National Football Museum and the popular cultural problem, 41

PART II
Sport and history
3 They think it’s all over, but it isn’t, 75
4 You’ve just been bounced at the WACA: Pitching a new cricketing culture, 102

PART III
Sport and memory
5 Our Don and their Eddie, 125
6 Bending memories through Beckham, 154

7 On the Blacks’ back, 176
Conclusion: Leaving the Boot Room, 191
Notes, 196
Select bibliography, 225
Index, 227