Moving the Goalposts: A History of Sport and Society in Britain since 1945

Sport enjoys huge popularity throughout the world and is of considerable social importance. In Moving the Goalposts Martin Polley argues that sport is not neutral, asocial or apolitical and so it needs to be assessed in its widest cultural context to be understood. He also examines how sport is acted upon by these influences and creates influences of its own.Moving the Goalposts provides a comprehensive survey of sport in Britain since 1945 and examines its place in British culture. The author discusses issues of politics, national identity, gender, class and race, and explores representations of sport in the media. Providing extensive coverage of the most popular sports such as football, the book offers a critical introduction to existing literature on the subject, and places contemporary sport in the context of recent history.

Martin Polley is Lecturer in History, King Alfred's University College, Winchester.