The Cambridge Companion to Football

Featuring essays from prominent experts in the field, scholars and journalists, this Companion covers ground seldom attempted in a single volume about football.

Rob Steen (Edited by), Jed Novick (Edited by), Huw Richards (Edited by)

9781107014848, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 4 July 2013

340 pages, 10 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.9 x 2.1 cm, 0.69 kg

Football is the world's most popular sport. It is a cultural phenomenon and a global media spectacle. For its billions of fans, it serves as a common language. But where does its enduring popularity come from? Featuring essays from prominent experts in the field, scholars and journalists, this Companion covers ground seldom attempted in a single volume about football. It examines the game's oft-disputed roots and traces its development through Europe, South America and Africa, analysing whether resistance to the game is finally beginning to erode in China, India and the United States. It dissects the cult of the manager and how David Beckham redefined sporting celebrity. It investigates the game's followers, reporters and writers, as well as its most zealous money makers and powerful administrators. A valuable resource for students, scholars and general readers, The Cambridge Companion to Football is a true and faithful companion for anyone fascinated by the people's game.

List of contributors
List of figures and tables
Chronology
Foreword Sir Michael Parkinson
Introduction Alan Tomlinson
Part I. Foundations: 1. Kicking off: the origins of association football Dave Russell
The game-changers: Billy Meredith Huw Richards
2. Uruguay: the first world power Chris Taylor
The game-changers: Henri Delaunay Huw Richards
3. Austria and Hungary: the Danubian School Huw Richards
The game-changers: Alfredo Di Stéfano Rob Steen
4. Italy: football as politics – Mussolini to Berlusconi Paddy Agnew
The game-changers: Pelé Huw Richards
5. Brazil: rhythm and grooves Jim White
The game-changers: Diego Maradona Huw Richards
6. Africa: towards global football citizenship? Paul Darby
The game-changers: Eusébio Rob Steen
Part II. Development: 7. Money, money, money: the English Premier League Peter Berlin
The game-changers: Didier Drogba Jed Novick
8. The boss: a very British convention Colin Shindler
The game-changers: Sir Alex Ferguson Will Tidey
9. David Beckham and the celebrity phenomenon Jed Novick
The game-changers: George Best Rob Steen
10. Football and feminism Jean Williams
The game-changers: Mia Hamm Huw Richards
11. Fans: consumers, hooligans and activists John Williams
The game-changers: Franz Beckenbauer Rob Steen
12. Sheepskin coats and nannygoats: the view from the press box Rob Steen
The game-changers: Havelange, Blatter and Platini – the ruling class Rob Steen and John Vale
13. Brought to book: football and literature Peter Stead
The game-changers: Johan Cruyff Jon Vale
Part III. Where We Are: 14. What took you so long? Spain conquers the world Huw Richards
The game-changers: José Mourinho Jed Novick
15. Where next? Football's new frontiers Toby Miller
The game-changers: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Jed Novick
Further reading
Index.

Subject Areas: Football [Soccer, Association football WSJA], Press & journalism [KNTJ], Popular culture [JFCA], Cultural studies [JFC]