Rugby League in Twentieth Century Britain: A Social and Cultural HistoryCalled ‘the greatest game of all’ by its supporters but often overlooked by the cultural mainstream, no sport is more identified with England’s northern working class than rugby league. This book traces the story of the sport from the Northern Union of the 1900s to the formation of the Super League in the 1990s, through war, depression, boom and deindustrialisation, into a new economic and social age. Using a range of previously unexplored archival sources, this extremely readable and deeply researched book considers the impact of two world wars, the significance of the game’s expansion to Australasia and the momentous decision to take rugby league to Wembley. It investigates the history of rugby union’s long-running war against league, and the sport’s troubled relationship with the national media. Most importantly, this book sheds new light on issues of social class and working-class masculinity, regional identity and the profound impact of the decline of Britain’s traditional industries. For all those interested in the history of sport and working-class culture, this is essential reading. |
Contents
League on the dole? The game in the depression years 23 | |
the professional player 191939 43 | |
Wembley and the road from Wigan Pier 56 | |
Rugby league in the Peoples War 74 | |
From boom to bust 194570 87 | |
the rules of the game 105 | |
AngloAustralian rugby league 115 | |
class gender and race 141 | |
beyond the heartlands 162 | |
A proletariat at play 185 | |
Appendices 195 | 3 |
Bibliography 228 | 1977 |
Index 239 | 2007 |
Other editions - View all
Rugby League in Twentieth Century Britain: A Social and Cultural History Tony Collins Limited preview - 2006 |
Rugby League in Twentieth Century Britain: A Social and Cultural History Tony Collins No preview available - 2006 |
Rugby League in Twentieth Century Britain: A Social and Cultural History Tony Collins No preview available - 2006 |