Amateurs and Professionals in Post-War British Sport

The pressures and demands of professionalism and commercialization have transformed all Britain's major sports, particularly at the end of the 20th century, when they have been packaged and marketed as mass entertainment for a national or even international audience. This volume explores different facets of this phenomenon: from the postwar years when terraced or pavilioned spectators applauded a dying breed of "gentlemen" footballers or cricketers, playing at the highest level just for the love of the game, to the 21st-century when highly paid sportsmen and sportswomen endeavour to satisfy the inflated expectations of officials, agents, journalists, broadcasters, and above all, those viewing or listening at home. Sports historians demonstrate the centrality of their subject to the study of modern Britain by focusing on the impact of professionalism on rugby, golf, athletics, and horseracing, as well as cricket and the "national game".