Football's Great War: Association Football on the English Home Front, 1914 1918

During the First World War, the game of football was significantly impacted, with the FA banning player payments and forcing supporters to consider whether the game should continue. This study explores how players, administrators, and fans grappled with these questions, examining the social, economic, and cultural impact of the war on football from grassroots to elite levels.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 08 March 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

As modern football navigates the profound implications of a global crisis, this book delves into the game's historical roots, examining the impact of the First World War on its structure and essence. The wartime seasons presented football with existential challenges, prompting fundamental inquiries into its place and value within English society. This study explores the transformative effects of conflict on the People's Game on the English Home Front.

The wartime years witnessed a significant disruption to football's commercial model, as the FA implemented a ban on player payments in 1915, reigniting a longstanding debate between the game's early amateur ideals and its modern connections to the world of capital and lucrative entertainment. This decision forced supporters to contemplate whether football should continue at all, and if so, in what form.

To unravel the complexities of this period, this book employs a wide range of previously unseen sources and images, providing a comprehensive exploration of how players, administrators, and fans grappled with these challenging questions as daily life was relentlessly reshaped by the demands of total war. From grassroots to elite football, from players to spectators, from gambling to charity work, this study examines the far-reaching social, economic, and cultural consequences of what became Football's Great War.

The impact of the First World War on football was multifaceted and profound, shaping the game in ways that continue to resonate today. It brought about a shift in the social dynamics of the sport, as players and fans from different backgrounds came together in a shared pursuit of entertainment and escapism amidst the chaos of war. The game also became a platform for national pride and unity, with teams representing different regions and nations competing for glory on the field.

However, the war also had a darker side, as football was used as a tool for propaganda and recruitment by both sides. The government and military utilized the popularity of football to promote their causes and encourage young men to enlist, while some players and administrators were accused of using their positions for personal gain or to support the enemy.

In conclusion, the First World War had a lasting impact on football, shaping its structure, culture, and social dynamics in profound ways. This book offers a valuable insight into the game's history during this turbulent period, shedding light on the challenges faced by players, administrators, and fans as they navigated the uncertainties and disruptions of total war.

Weight: 796g
Dimension: 165 x 240 x 42 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399002202