During the twentieth century, football became not only England's leading national sport, but also a lucrative global business. How did this change happen? What did that mean for the players, the fans, the media and the country as a whole?
Changing the Rules of the Game is a lively history of how English football was transformed in the twentieth century.It paints a picture of a game that was initially characterized by provincial respectability and social conservatism, and shows how these values were increasingly challenged—for both good and ill—by elite amateurs, popular dissenters, and the growing influence of money.Nick Fishwick's vivid novel brings to life the human stories of football in its raw form, from small lower-tier teams to the national team, from arrogant but loyal local officials to players who have outshined their clubs in the pursuit of fame and fortune.Based on an extensive study of the records of professional clubs large and small, as well as the memoirs and recollections of players, coaches and officials, this book will impress and enlighten any fan of English football.
