Football: A History of the World GameThere have been several attempts to trace the story of the spread of football from its pre-industrial origins to its codification in the association game in 1863, from whence it swept the British Isles before going on to conquer the world, but this is the first book to place the growth of the game firmly in its social and cultural background. It explains how soccer spread from the United Kingdom to become the sporting passion of Europe and South America, failed to take root in the former English speaking colonies, but became the most popular game in Asia and Africa. Murray is a skilled historian, as well as a football enthusiast; in this comprehensive history he covers old ground with a refreshing originality, presents new information with a revealing clarity, and combines illustrative anecdotes with incisive analysis. He presents the reader with a highly readable account of a complicated story that places the growth of the world's most popular game firmly in its cultural context. This book will remain for years to come the standard work on the subject. |
Contents
From Rough House to Rule of | 1 |
Football Becomes the World Game | 147 |
The Changing Face of the Peoples Game | 176 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
1994 World Cup AC Milan African Nations amateur American football Argentina Asia Asian Association Football Athletic Austria ball banned beat became Brazil Brazilian Britain British football Celtic century champions championship claimed coach colonial continental continued countries cricket crowds cup competitions Cup Final despite dominated early England English Europe European Cup FA Cup fans field FIFA Football Association Football Club football matches football teams foreign formed founded France French Germany Ghana Glasgow goal goalkeeper hooliganism host Hungary Italian Italy joined FIFA kicking later Latin London major Manchester United Meisl Mitropa Cup national team Nigeria official Olympic Games organized Pelé played political popular problems professional Rangers Réal Madrid referee regime rival rugby rules scored Scotland Scottish soccer social South America Soviet Spain spectators sport stadium stars success supporters television took tour tournament trophy Union United Uruguay Uruguayan victory Vienna violence working-class World Cup